The World of Viruses

For many of us humans, viruses are the source of terrible plagues, including in recent years HIV/AIDS and SARS-CoV-2. However, the amazing properties of viruses are not widely appreciated. Viruses exhibit tremendous diversity, spanning at least a 1,000-fold range of biological complexity. Their replication mechanisms show astonishing elegance and teach us not only about the viruses but about their hosts; in fact, much of our basic understanding of cellular mechanisms (such as the fact that DNA is the carrier of genetic information) comes from studies on viruses. In this course, we will explore the mechanisms by which viruses reproduce and the ways in which they interact with their hosts. The class will cover basic molecular biology, as this is essential for an understanding of viruses. We will also discuss some of the ways that humans and other hosts defend themselves against viral infections.