What Do Viruses Do And How Do We Control Them from Coursera

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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What Do Viruses Do And How Do We Control Them

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