Basic Virology

Welcome to the basic virology course!

During this course, you will learn what viruses are, what do they do, why they are important, and that most of them are not bad! I have divided this course into ten lectures:

1. Introduction to viruses

2. Basic molecular biology

3. Virus genomes

4. Virus genes and proteins

5. Virus classification and nomenclature

6. Virus infection

7. Host defences against virus infection

8. Virus epidemiology and vaccination

9. Viruses and disease

10. Selected virus stories

During the lectures, you will get to know many animal viruses (such as SARS-CoV-2, flu viruses, Measles virus, and Rabies virus), giant viruses of amoebas, bacterial viruses (phages), and plant and fungal viruses. You will learn how viruses make you sick, what is herd immunity, how virus tests work, and what is in virus vaccines. Simultaneously, as you learn about viruses, you will learn some molecular- and cell biology.

Learning objectives

At the end of this course, you will have a good knowledge of viruses. You should be able to understand all news and basic scientific information about viruses. You should be able to make rational decisions on how to protect yourself and others against viruses.

Teacher

I have PhD in virology. I have studied viruses for 20 years and published 15 scientific articles on viruses and more on molecular and cellular biology. I have taught general virology and virus genetics at university. More importantly, I think that viruses are the most exciting things ever: they are elegant and effective. See it for yourself!