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Mike Skinner
This course describes how viruses interact with their hosts to infect, replicate, spread and cause disease. It looks at what controls the specificity of viruses for different host species and for different tissues within a host, also how this can lead to outbreaks and pandemics. It seeks to show how virus evolution is driven by the pressures to replicate and spread. Finally, it looks at how we can find antivirals and use them to control infections, distinguishing therapeutic approaches to prophylaxis by vaccination.
On successful completion of the course, learners will be able to:
Read more
This course describes how viruses interact with their hosts to infect, replicate, spread and cause disease. It looks at what controls the specificity of viruses for different host species and for different tissues within a host, also how this can lead to outbreaks and pandemics. It seeks to show how virus evolution is driven by the pressures to replicate and spread. Finally, it looks at how we can find antivirals and use them to control infections, distinguishing therapeutic approaches to prophylaxis by vaccination.
On successful completion of the course, learners will be able to:
Read more
This course describes how viruses interact with their hosts to infect, replicate, spread and cause disease. It looks at what controls the specificity of viruses for different host species and for different tissues within a host, also how this can lead to outbreaks and pandemics. It seeks to show how virus evolution is driven by the pressures to replicate and spread. Finally, it looks at how we can find antivirals and use them to control infections, distinguishing therapeutic approaches to prophylaxis by vaccination.
On successful completion of the course, learners will be able to:
1. Identify key interfaces of virus: host interaction
2. Verify how transmission drives virus pathogenesis and shapes virus evolution
3. Demonstrate an understanding of how virus control with anti-virals differs from protection with vaccines.
This is an intermediate series of courses intended for both clinical and non-clinical scientists who want to update their skills for work in clinical, academic, and pharmaceutical/bioscience industries, and is developed and delivered by experts working on viruses and novel vaccines.
To be successful in this series of courses, you should have basic knowledge in biology, genetics, microbiology or related fields.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/sz0wso/what
What's inside
Syllabus
Pathogenesis – why and how do viruses cause disease
Viruses can cause mild, chronic and severe illness and even death. The clinical effects of viruses might occur days or weeks and even months or years after the initial infection, even causing lifelong negative influences on life and livelihood. The impact is experienced by individuals, families, communities, workplaces, healthcare systems, and society. When we have outbreaks, epidemics and even pandemics of virus disease the effects can be devastating. In this module, we will look at viruses and focus on how they cause disease, and what factors affect pathogenesis and virulence.
Read more
Syllabus
Pathogenesis – why and how do viruses cause disease
Viruses can cause mild, chronic and severe illness and even death. The clinical effects of viruses might occur days or weeks and even months or years after the initial infection, even causing lifelong negative influences on life and livelihood. The impact is experienced by individuals, families, communities, workplaces, healthcare systems, and society. When we have outbreaks, epidemics and even pandemics of virus disease the effects can be devastating. In this module, we will look at viruses and focus on how they cause disease, and what factors affect pathogenesis and virulence.
Read more
Virus ‘lifestyles’ – why do some viruses cause short duration diseases and others cause cancer?
What are viruses doing inside host cells? How are they making copies of themselves? How are those copies getting out to infect other cells within us? And how are they getting out of us to infect others?
In this module, we will look at the replication strategies of different groups of viruses in humans, known as their ‘lifestyles’.
Tissue tropism and host range – why do viruses infect different animals and cause different diseases
Viruses are truly parasitic microorganisms. We have seen repeatedly how receptors, on host cells, and attachment proteins, on viruses, affect which cells a virus can enter. Once inside the cell, viruses still need the cell to supply the energy and all the raw materials they need to replicate themselves, as well as the environment and much of the machinery.
In this module, we will explore the concepts of virus tissue and host range, and explore key questions around how viruses interact with host cells.
How and why do outbreaks and pandemics occur, and why do they often emerge from animals?
When outbreaks and pandemics start to happen, what do we hear about? It might be the symptoms. It will likely be the number of reported cases or fatalities. It might be what we are advised to do to avoid infection. And we also have a curiosity, or even a need, to find out where this virus came from. And in some cases, a major source of virus outbreaks has been other animals. In this module, we will look at virus threats from animals, known as ‘zoonotic infections’.
How can we prevent and/or control virus infections and outbreaks?
Antibiotics have kept us safe from bacterial infections all over the world. In situations and places that would previously have had significant mortality. However, they have their origins in, and deal with very different pathogens to antivirals. Simply because viruses have taken a completely different path and developed an incredibly effective strategy for causing viral infection in their host, making them much more difficult to treat. In this final module, we will look at the whole topic of how we prevent and control virus infections and outbreaks.
Good to know
Good to know
Know what's good ,
what to watch for , and
possible dealbreakers
Examines virus evolution and its influence on virus behavior
Explores how viruses interact with their hosts to cause disease and how these interactions shape virus evolution
Investigates the factors that determine virus tissue tropism and host range
Analyzes the origins of virus outbreaks and pandemics, particularly those that emerge from animals
Reviews various approaches to preventing and controlling virus infections and outbreaks
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Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in What Do Viruses Do And How Do We Control Them with these
activities:
Review basic biology and genetics
Show steps
Review the basics of biology and genetics will enhance the understanding of the course materials
Browse courses on
Genetics
Show steps
-
Review high school biology textbooks and notes
-
Enroll in an online genetics course or watch video tutorials on the topic
-
Take practice quizzes and review the answers
Read a book about viruses
Show steps
Reading a book about viruses is a great way to learn more about the history, evolution, and biology of viruses.
View
Viruses: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short...
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Find a book about viruses that interests you.
-
Read the book.
-
Take notes on the key points.
Practice identifying viruses under a microscope
Show steps
Practicing identifying viruses under a microscope will help you to develop your diagnostic skills.
Browse courses on
Microscopy
Show steps
-
Gather a microscope slide, coverslip, and a virus sample.
-
Place the virus sample on the microscope slide.
-
Focus the microscope on the virus sample.
Eight other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 11 activities
Participate in online discussion forums
Show steps
Engaging in online discussions foster critical thinking, enhance understanding, and provide diverse perspectives on virus-related topics.
Show steps
-
Review the course discussion board regularly
-
Post thoughtful questions and comments
-
Respond to the posts of other students
Create a virus life cycle diagram
Show steps
Creating a diagram of the viral life cycle will help you visualize and understand the different stages of virus infection.
Show steps
-
Research the viral life cycle.
-
Identify the key stages of the viral life cycle.
-
Draw a diagram that represents the viral life cycle.
Follow a tutorial on how to use a virus database
Show steps
Learning how to use a virus database will help you to access and analyze data on viruses.
Browse courses on
Software
Show steps
-
Find a tutorial on how to use a virus database.
-
Follow the steps in the tutorial.
-
Practice using the virus database.
Analyze virus genome sequences
Show steps
Gaining hands-on experience in analyzing virus genomes reinforces the course concepts on virus structure and replication
Browse courses on
Genome Sequencing
Show steps
-
Download virus genome sequences from the NCBI Virus database
-
Use online tools such as BLAST to identify and compare sequences
-
Practice annotating virus genomes using software like Geneious Prime
Write a blog post about a current virus outbreak
Show steps
Writing a blog post about a current virus outbreak will help you stay up-to-date on the latest news and developments, and it will also help you to better understand the science behind virus outbreaks.
Show steps
-
Research the current virus outbreak.
-
Write a blog post that explains the virus outbreak.
-
Share your blog post with others.
Develop a presentation on a specific virus or virus family
Show steps
Presenting on a specific virus or virus family consolidates the understanding of their characteristics, behavior, and impact
Show steps
-
Choose a virus or virus family to research
-
Gather information from credible sources such as scientific journals and textbooks
-
Create slides that cover the virus's structure, replication, transmission, and clinical significance
-
Practice presenting the information clearly and engagingly
Attend a virus research conference
Show steps
Attending a virus research conference will help you to learn about the latest advances in the field.
Show steps
-
Find a virus research conference that you are interested in.
-
Register for the conference.
-
Attend the conference.
Contribute to a virus research project
Show steps
Contributing to a virus research project will help you to develop your research skills and to make a meaningful contribution to the field of virology.
Show steps
-
Find a virus research project that you are interested in.
-
Contact the researchers who are leading the project.
-
Ask how you can contribute to the project.
Review basic biology and genetics
Show steps
Review the basics of biology and genetics will enhance the understanding of the course materials
Browse courses on
Genetics
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review high school biology textbooks and notes
- Enroll in an online genetics course or watch video tutorials on the topic
- Take practice quizzes and review the answers
Read a book about viruses
Show steps
Reading a book about viruses is a great way to learn more about the history, evolution, and biology of viruses.
View
Viruses: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short...
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find a book about viruses that interests you.
- Read the book.
- Take notes on the key points.
Practice identifying viruses under a microscope
Show steps
Practicing identifying viruses under a microscope will help you to develop your diagnostic skills.
Browse courses on
Microscopy
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Gather a microscope slide, coverslip, and a virus sample.
- Place the virus sample on the microscope slide.
- Focus the microscope on the virus sample.
Eight other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 11 activities
Participate in online discussion forums
Show steps
Engaging in online discussions foster critical thinking, enhance understanding, and provide diverse perspectives on virus-related topics.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review the course discussion board regularly
- Post thoughtful questions and comments
- Respond to the posts of other students
Create a virus life cycle diagram
Show steps
Creating a diagram of the viral life cycle will help you visualize and understand the different stages of virus infection.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research the viral life cycle.
- Identify the key stages of the viral life cycle.
- Draw a diagram that represents the viral life cycle.
Follow a tutorial on how to use a virus database
Show steps
Learning how to use a virus database will help you to access and analyze data on viruses.
Browse courses on
Software
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find a tutorial on how to use a virus database.
- Follow the steps in the tutorial.
- Practice using the virus database.
Analyze virus genome sequences
Show steps
Gaining hands-on experience in analyzing virus genomes reinforces the course concepts on virus structure and replication
Browse courses on
Genome Sequencing
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Download virus genome sequences from the NCBI Virus database
- Use online tools such as BLAST to identify and compare sequences
- Practice annotating virus genomes using software like Geneious Prime
Write a blog post about a current virus outbreak
Show steps
Writing a blog post about a current virus outbreak will help you stay up-to-date on the latest news and developments, and it will also help you to better understand the science behind virus outbreaks.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research the current virus outbreak.
- Write a blog post that explains the virus outbreak.
- Share your blog post with others.
Develop a presentation on a specific virus or virus family
Show steps
Presenting on a specific virus or virus family consolidates the understanding of their characteristics, behavior, and impact
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Choose a virus or virus family to research
- Gather information from credible sources such as scientific journals and textbooks
- Create slides that cover the virus's structure, replication, transmission, and clinical significance
- Practice presenting the information clearly and engagingly
Attend a virus research conference
Show steps
Attending a virus research conference will help you to learn about the latest advances in the field.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find a virus research conference that you are interested in.
- Register for the conference.
- Attend the conference.
Contribute to a virus research project
Show steps
Contributing to a virus research project will help you to develop your research skills and to make a meaningful contribution to the field of virology.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find a virus research project that you are interested in.
- Contact the researchers who are leading the project.
- Ask how you can contribute to the project.
Career center
Learners who complete What Do Viruses Do And How Do We Control Them will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Virologist
Virologist
Virologists study viruses, including their structure, function, and evolution. They work in a variety of settings, including academia, government, and industry. This course would be helpful for Virologists because it provides a comprehensive overview of virology, including the pathogenesis of viral diseases, the development of antiviral therapies, and the principles of vaccine development. This knowledge would help Virologists to understand the latest advances in the field and to develop new strategies for preventing and treating viral diseases.
Infection Preventionist
Infection Preventionist
Infection Preventionists are responsible for developing and implementing infection control programs in healthcare settings. They work to prevent the spread of infections among patients, staff, and visitors. This course would be helpful for Infection Preventionists because it provides a comprehensive overview of virology, including the pathogenesis of viral diseases, the development of antiviral therapies, and the principles of vaccine development. This knowledge would help Infection Preventionists to understand the science behind infection control and to develop effective strategies to prevent the spread of viral infections.
Epidemiologist
Epidemiologist
Epidemiologists study the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events (including disease), and the application of this study to the control of diseases and other health problems. This course would be helpful for Epidemiologists because it would provide them with a comprehensive overview of virology, including the pathogenesis of viral diseases, the development of antiviral therapies, and the principles of vaccine development. This knowledge would help Epidemiologists understand the causes of viral outbreaks and develop strategies to prevent and control them.
Public Health Microbiologist
Public Health Microbiologist
Public Health Microbiologists study microorganisms that can cause disease in humans. They work in a variety of settings, including public health laboratories, hospitals, and universities. This course would be helpful for Public Health Microbiologists because it provides a comprehensive overview of virology, including the pathogenesis of viral diseases, the development of antiviral therapies, and the principles of vaccine development. This knowledge would help Public Health Microbiologists to understand the science behind public health microbiology and to develop effective strategies to prevent and control the spread of viral diseases.
Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Regulatory Affairs Specialists are responsible for ensuring that drugs and medical devices meet all regulatory requirements before they can be marketed. They work closely with government agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to review and approve new products. This course would be helpful for Regulatory Affairs Specialists because it provides a comprehensive overview of virology, including the pathogenesis of viral diseases, the development of antiviral therapies, and the principles of vaccine development. This knowledge would help Regulatory Affairs Specialists to better understand the scientific basis of the products they are reviewing and to make informed decisions about their safety and efficacy.
Molecular Biologist
Molecular Biologist
Molecular Biologists study the structure and function of molecules, such as DNA and RNA. They work in a variety of settings, including academia, government, and industry. This course would be helpful for Molecular Biologists because it provides a comprehensive overview of virology, including the pathogenesis of viral diseases, the development of antiviral therapies, and the principles of vaccine development. This knowledge would help Molecular Biologists to better understand the molecular basis of viral infections and to develop new strategies for preventing and treating them.
Medical Science Liaison
Medical Science Liaison
Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) are responsible for providing scientific and medical information to healthcare professionals about new and existing drugs and treatments. They work closely with sales and marketing teams to develop and implement educational programs for healthcare professionals. This course would be helpful for MSLs because it provides a comprehensive overview of virology, including the pathogenesis of viral diseases, the development of antiviral therapies, and the principles of vaccine development. This knowledge would help MSLs to better understand the scientific basis of the products they are promoting and to answer questions from healthcare professionals.
Immunologist
Immunologist
Immunologists study the immune system, which is the body's defense system against infection. They work in a variety of settings, including academia, government, and industry. This course would be helpful for Immunologists because it provides a comprehensive overview of virology, including the pathogenesis of viral diseases, the development of antiviral therapies, and the principles of vaccine development. This knowledge would help Immunologists to better understand the role of the immune system in viral infections and to develop new strategies for preventing and treating them.
Science Writer
Science Writer
Science Writers communicate complex scientific information to a general audience. They work for a variety of organizations, including newspapers, magazines, and websites. This course would be helpful for Science Writers because it provides a comprehensive overview of virology, including the pathogenesis of viral diseases, the development of antiviral therapies, and the principles of vaccine development. This knowledge would help Science Writers to accurately and effectively communicate the latest advances in virology to the public.
Clinical Research Associate
Clinical Research Associate
Clinical Research Associates (CRAs) are responsible for monitoring clinical trials to ensure that they are conducted in accordance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines. They work closely with investigators, study coordinators, and other members of the research team to ensure that the trial is conducted safely and ethically. This course would be helpful for CRAs because it provides a comprehensive overview of virology, including the pathogenesis of viral diseases, the development of antiviral therapies, and the principles of vaccine development. This knowledge would help CRAs to better understand the scientific basis of the clinical trials they are monitoring and to identify potential risks to patients.
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives sell drugs and medical devices to healthcare professionals. They work closely with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers to educate them about the benefits of their products. This course would be helpful for Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives because it provides a comprehensive overview of virology, including the pathogenesis of viral diseases, the development of antiviral therapies, and the principles of vaccine development. This knowledge would help Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives to better understand the scientific basis of the products they are selling and to answer questions from healthcare professionals.
Patent Attorney
Patent Attorney
Patent Attorneys help clients to obtain and protect patents for their inventions. They work closely with inventors to understand their inventions and to draft patent applications. This course would be may be helpful for Patent Attorneys because it provides a comprehensive overview of virology, including the pathogenesis of viral diseases, the development of antiviral therapies, and the principles of vaccine development. This knowledge would help Patent Attorneys to better understand the scientific basis of their clients' inventions and to draft more effective patent applications.
Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical Engineers design and develop medical devices and technologies. They work in a variety of settings, including academia, government, and industry. This course would be may be helpful for Biomedical Engineers because it provides a comprehensive overview of virology, including the pathogenesis of viral diseases, the development of antiviral therapies, and the principles of vaccine development. This knowledge would help Biomedical Engineers to better understand the biological basis of disease and to develop more effective medical devices and technologies.
Biostatistician
Biostatistician
Biostatisticians use statistical methods to analyze data from biological and medical studies. They work in a variety of settings, including academia, government, and industry. This course would be may be helpful for Biostatisticians because it provides a comprehensive overview of virology, including the pathogenesis of viral diseases, the development of antiviral therapies, and the principles of vaccine development. This knowledge would help Biostatisticians to better understand the design and analysis of clinical trials and other types of medical studies.
Healthcare Consultant
Healthcare Consultant
Healthcare Consultants provide advice to healthcare organizations on a variety of topics, including strategic planning, operations management, and financial management. This course would be may be helpful for Healthcare Consultants because it provides a comprehensive overview of virology, including the pathogenesis of viral diseases, the development of antiviral therapies, and the principles of vaccine development. This knowledge would help Healthcare Consultants to better understand the challenges facing healthcare organizations and to develop effective strategies to address them.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/sz0wso/what
Reading list
We've selected nine books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
What Do Viruses Do And How Do We Control Them.
A textbook that provides a comprehensive overview of viral pathogenesis, including the mechanisms by which viruses cause disease. Suitable for advanced learners and researchers.
A comprehensive textbook that covers the fundamental principles of molecular biology, including virus structure, replication, and pathogenesis. Suitable as a reference for advanced learners.
A comprehensive textbook that provides a detailed overview of microbiology, including viruses and viral infections. Suitable for undergraduate students and general readers.
Save
A comprehensive textbook that covers the fundamental principles of immunology, including the immune response to viruses. Suitable for advanced learners and researchers.
A comprehensive textbook that covers the fundamental principles of immunology, including the immune response to viruses. Suitable for advanced learners and researchers.
Save
A comprehensive atlas that provides a visual overview of human viruses and viral infections. Suitable for researchers and medical professionals.
Save
A medical textbook that provides a comprehensive overview of medical microbiology, including viruses and viral infections. Suitable for medical students and practitioners.
Save
A textbook that provides a comprehensive overview of microbiology, including viruses and viral infections. Suitable for undergraduate students and general readers.
Save
A textbook that provides a clear and concise introduction to virology, including virus structure, replication, and pathogenesis. Suitable for undergraduate students and general readers.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/sz0wso/what
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Level
Intermediate
Via
Coursera
Institution
Imperial College London
Instructor
Mike Skinner
Language
English
This course belongs to a
collection
called
Foundations in Virology and Vaccinology. It's comprised of four courses:
- Types of Vaccine
- What Do Viruses Do And How Do We Control Them (viewing)
- How Vaccines Work
- What Are Viruses And How Do We Work With Them?
Good to know
Examines virus evolution and its influence on virus behavior
Explores how viruses interact with their hosts to cause disease and how these interactions shape virus evolution
Investigates the factors that determine virus tissue tropism and host range
Analyzes the origins of virus outbreaks and pandemics, particularly those that emerge from animals
Reviews various approaches to preventing and controlling virus infections and outbreaks
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