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Spring, 2004 Lecture Outline

1/29 NATURE & GENERAL STRUCTURE OF VIRUSES


History of Virology:

Jenner in late 1700's- developed smallpox vaccine
Pasteur in 1880's- developed attenuated rabies vaccine

Stanley isolated TMV in 1930's
Bawden & Pirie in 40's- demo of P in TMV, therefore nucleic acid also present, not just pure protein

Hershey & Chase in 1952- demonstrated nucleic acids carried genetic info into cells while protein remained outside

-molecular biology- chemical & physical basis of biology
-molecular virology- biochem nature of viruses

Life defined:

dynamic integrated state of biochem & physical interactions

Viruses defined:

reproduce only in living cells
contain RNA or DNA vs. organisms which require both
not true life- no energy production

*dormant phase- extracellular, not active
*vegetative phase- intracellular, complex interaction c host

Virology defined:

virus transmission; epidemiology & ecology; pathology & Rx
eradication- only one success: smallpox

(recent): includes genetic engineering c "benign" viruses; biowarfare vs. insects

Sx of viral infection:

can be not detectable to severe Dz to death
systemic or local lesion

Taxonomy:

differences between bacteria, plants, animals in nomenclature
ICTV: International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses
working to standardize nomenclature & link specialized collections worldwide


Next week:

In-depth view of structures- read Wagner, ch. 2 & 5
Methods of studying viruses- browse Wagner, part 3

 

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 Updated 1/25/04 by thatcher@sonoma.edu