A new class is starting at virology blog: Virology 101.
I began this blog in 2004, to give back what I’ve learned from studying viruses for 30+ years. I’ve written many posts on basic virology, but they tend to disappear with time. To remedy this problem, I’ve collected all these posts with links back to the original article, arranged by topic. They are typically short and easy to read; if you start from the top, soon you will have a good basic understanding of virology.
I’ve also included relevant episodes of the podcast TWiV, where we discuss basic virology about once a month.
For the more adventurous, see the video podcasts from my Columbia University virology course, W3310. This course is taught in the spring semester each year. I’ve also included some of my other lectures to medical and undergraduate students.
If you are specifically interested in influenza virus, there is always Influenza 101.
Class will always be in session: there is much more to come.
With this virology course you also get access to a virology professor. If you have any questions, send them to vincent@virology.ws.
Basic Background Information
What is a virus? (W3301)
What is a virus?
Are viruses living?
Discovery of viruses
What color is a virus?
How viruses are classified
Virus classification (TWiV 43)
Simplifying virus classification: The Baltimore system
Viral genomes (TWiV 49)
Genomes and genetics (W3310)
The infectious cycle lecture (W3310)
Measurement (also see the virology toolbox)
Detecting viruses: The plaque assay
How many viruses are needed to form a plaque?
Measurement of viruses by end-point dilution assay
Multiplicity of Infection
The western blot
Detection of antigens or antibodies by ELISA
Detecting viral proteins in infected cells or tissues by immunostaining
Virus Structure
Virus structure (TWiV 39)
Virus structure (W3310)
Attachment and Entry into Cells
Virus entry into cells (TWiV 46)
Attachment and entry (W3310)
Nucleic Acid Synthesis
RNA synthesis (W3310)
Making viral RNA (TWiV 60)
Making viral DNA (TWiV 96)
Making viral DNA II (TWiV 106)
Viral DNA Synthesis (W3310)
Transcription (TWiV 162)
Reverse transcription (W3310)
Reverse transcription (TWiV 66)
Transcription and RNA processing (W3310)
Processing viral RNA (TWiV 216)
Protein synthesis
Translation (W3310)
Virion Assembly
Assembly (W3310)
Pathogenesis and Immunity
Infection Basics (W3310)
Host Defense (W3310)
Virus-Host Interactions (W3310)
Viral Pathogenesis (Medical school lecture)
Acute Infections (W3310)
Antigenic variation explains recurring acute infections
HIV Pathogenesis (W3310)
Transformation and Oncogenesis (W3310)
Innate sensors of DNA
Immunopathology: Too much of a good thing
Innate immune defenses
The inflammatory response
Adaptive immune defenses
Adaptive immune defenses: Antibodies
Virus neutralization by antibodies
The complement system
C1q and the collectins
Natural antibody protects against viral infection
Prevention and Control
Vaccines (W3310)
Antiviral Drugs (W3310)
Tamiflu-resistant pandemic influenza H1N1 virus selected by prophylaxis
Discussion of new HCV antiviral on Futures in Biotech 60
Evolution and Emergence
Viral Evolution (W3310)
Viruses and the tree of life
The abundant and diverse viruses of the seas
Chikungunya: An exotic virus on the move
Lujo virus, a new hemorrhagic fever virus from Southern Africa
The error-prone ways of RNA synthesis
The quasispecies concept
Viral quasispecies and bottlenecks
The number of possible viral variants
Pushing viruses over the error threshold
Increased fidelity reduces viral fitness
Why don’t DNA based organisms discard error repair?
The trajectory of evolution
Virulence: A positive or negative trait for evolution?
Topics that don’t fit anywhere else
Unusual Infectious Agents (W3310)
Do you believe that Herpes virus has a permanent cure? because I have just been cured from the virus with herbal meds. My name is Jennie from Lake City and I have suffered from herpes for almost four years. I spent money buying the popular Valtrex and sometimes Acyclovir to suppress the Herpes outbreaks as prescribed to me in the hospital so anyone with herpes can attest this with all the pains and embarrassing symptoms. I ordered for the herbal meds from a herbal man named Excel through his website and he sent me the herbal meds to drink for 8days and now I have tested negative to the virus many times and all the obvious sores disappeared. reach out to doc excel on website and get cured from that nasty virus: https://excelherbalcure.com
Do you believe that Herpes virus has a permanent cure? because I have just been cured from the virus with herbal meds. My name is Jennie from Lake City and I have suffered from herpes for almost four years. I spent money buying the popular Valtrex and sometimes Acyclovir to suppress the Herpes outbreaks as prescribed to me in the hospital so anyone with herpes can attest this with all the pains and embarrassing symptoms. I ordered for the herbal meds from a herbal man named Excel through his website and he sent me the herbal meds to drink for 8days and now I have tested negative to the virus many times and all the obvious sores disappeared. reach out to doc excel on website and get cured from that nasty virus: Excelherbalcure.com
I once had a boyfriend who at a time had a cold sore and we assumed that it was just a spot because we never got to know about herpes at that time, we engaged in oral s@x and that’s how I got herpes. I’m glad that I found Dr Excel online who prepared me an herbal meds that I only drink for 8 days with faith that I will be cured then I went for checkup and I was totally cured (herpes Negative). His herbal medication is safe with no side effects and there is no special diet when drinking the medication. you can contact him on his website: https://excelherbalcure.com
I once had a boyfriend who at a time had a cold sore and we assumed that it was just a spot because we never got to know about herpes at that time, we engaged in oral s@x and that’s how I got herpes. I’m glad that I found Dr Excel online who prepared me an herbal meds that I only drink for 8 days with faith that I will be cured then I went for checkup and I was totally cured (herpes Negative). His herbal medication is safe with no side effects and there is no special diet when drinking the medication. you can contact him on his website: https://excelherbalcure.com
I was able to get rid of my herpes virus with herbal medicine that was prepared and shipped to me by Dr Excel which I drink as he prescribe! He’s a great herbalist and medicine man everyone should know about, he has cure for all types of herpes virus. Get to know about him on his web: excelherbalcure.
I was able to get rid of my herpes virus with herbal medicine that was prepared and shipped to me by Dr Excel which I drink as he prescribe! He’s a great herbalist and medicine man everyone should know about, he has cure for all types of herpes virus. Get to know about him on his web: excelherbalcure.com
I’m very excited to inform everyone that I’m completely cured from HSV1&2 recently. I have used Oregano oil, Coconut oil, Acyclovir, Valacyclovir, Famciclovir, and some other products and it’s really help during my outbreaks but I totally got cured from HSV1&2 with a strong and active herbal medicine ordered from a powerful herbalist called Dr Aba and it completely fought the virus away my nervous system and I tested negative after 14 days of using the herbal medicine. I’m here to let everyone know that herpes virus has a complete cure, I got rid of mine with the help of Dr Aba and his herbal exploit. Contact him via email: dr.abaherbalhome@ gmail. com or WhatsApp him at 2348107155060.
I have never had an STD before and had never had unprotected sex. However, I had a boyfriend, who at that time had a cold sore. Frankly, we assumed that it was just a spot because we never came to know about herpes until now. We engaged in oral sex, and that’s how I got herpes. Thank God that I found Dr. aba online who prepared me a herbal remedy that I only took for 14 days with faith, then I went for a check up and I was totally cured(herpes Negative). His medication has no SIDE EFFECT,there is no special diet when taking drugs you can contact him on his email address. dr.abaherbalhomeg@ mail. com or whatsapp him on 2348107155060 and get all your problems solved.
I was healed from HERPES through the help of Dr Grant. I saw a blog on how he cured people with his herbal medicine, I did not believe but i just decided to give him a try, I contacted him through his email and he prepared the herbal medicine for me which i took. after taking it 14 days, he told me to go for check up. could you believe that i was confirm HERPES negative after the test, and i went to a different hospital and it was also negative, I am so happy. If you are also infected with any disease like (1) HERPES,(2) DIABETES,(3) HIV&AIDS,(4) URINARY TRACT INFECTION,(5) HEPATITIS B,(6) IMPOTENCE,(7) BARENESS/INFERTILITY(8) DIARRHEA(9) ASTHMA… ETC kindly contact him now at grantingheartdesiresspell@ gmail. com and you can also call/text him on +2348115892498 or add Dr Grant on WhatsApp +2348115892498 and you will have a testimony… Good luck
I can proudly say now that I’m completely and permanently free from HSV (Herpes Simplex virus) I recently got in contact with a herbalist who prepared and sent me his herbal meds to drink which works magic on me. I went back for my tests at the lab and the doctor said I’m now negative after having the virus for years and all the obvious symptoms disappear immediately I started drinking the meds. May God continue to bless you Doctor Excel you are indeed a great herbal doctor. Contact Doctor Excel via his website: Excelherbalcure.com
I recently searched about some possible cure for herpes virus after I was diagnosed of it then I saw several comments of some women on Instagram about how they were cured from same virus after drinking some herbal medication! I contacted the herbal man called dr excel through his website and requested for medication which He prepared and sent me a bottle of the herbal medicine which I took as prescribed by him. A month later I was cured from herpes confirmed by my doctor after the outbreak and blisters had long gone. You can also reach him through his webpage Excelherbalcure.com
I want to share this great testimony to the world on how Dr Osato cured me from Herpes2 with his herbs, I was nervous when I first contacted him about the cure for HSV2 but I decided to give him a try because I was desperate to get cured and be free from HSV2. Dr Osato prepared the cure and sent it to me through UPS,which I used just the way Dr Osato instructed me and thank God today I am a beneficiary of this cure. I went back to the hospital after 14days of taking the herbs and I tested Herpes2 Negative. So I will tell you all who are looking for a cure to his/her HSV1&2 that Dr Osato took research before he could finally get the solution to it and a lot of people are benefiting from him right now. He also cured my friend from HPV. Dr Osato heals with natural herbs. Please i urge you to contact him now through his website osatoherbalcure.wordpress.com
I want to share this great testimony to the world on how Dr Osato cured me from Herpes2 with his herbs, I was nervous when I first contacted him about the cure for HSV2 but I decided to give him a try because I was desperate to get cured and be free from HSV2. Dr Osato prepared the cure and sent it to me through UPS,which I used just the way Dr Osato instructed me and thank God today I am a beneficiary of this cure. I went back to the hospital after 14days of taking the herbs and I tested Herpes2 Negative. So I will tell you all who are looking for a cure to his/her HSV1&2 that Dr Osato took research before he could finally get the solution to it and a lot of people are benefiting from him right now.. He also cured my friend from HPV. Dr Osato heals with natural herbs. Please i urge you to contact him now through his website osatoherbalcure.wordpress.com
(HOW I BECAME FREE FROM HSV JUST IN DAYS),,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
I RECOMMEND FOR HEALTHY HEALTH ..
A LIFE CHANGER…
At 25 I found out I had genital herpes and I am 30 years old now and I experience outbreaks several times in a year and the symptoms are so obvious” I have taken all kinds of antiviral medicines which didn’t work well with my body system then I met an old friend of mine from Africa who told me about doctor excel a herbal man who I contacted on his website: (https://excelherbalcure.com) I told him about my problem and he prepare and sent me a herbal medicine to drink and now I have been totally cured from the virus because I have tested negative not just once and the blisters has totally disappeared.. Get to know about this herbal man on his website.
I wanna share this great story to the world on how I got cured from HSV2 with herbal medication… I was skeptical when I first contacted the herbalist but I decided to give him a try because I needed to get cured and be free from the nasty virus”” he prepared the herbal medication and sent it through DHL delivery which I drink just the way he ask me to and now I’m glad to be a beneficiary of this herbal cure! I went back to the hospital after two weeks then I tested Negative for the virus after all the symptoms had long gone! If you are going through the same situation you can also contact him on his website!!! Excelherbalcure.com No body deserve to have such nasty virus, it’s not worth it.
I’m delighted to completely be cured from genital Herpes After having it for 3years! I did some online research when I came across herbalist excel herbal Exploits I was amazed after hearing from those he has help and they share good review of him and his herbal work then I decided to Contact him For help Which He did Wholeheartedly and I’m glad To be finally healed from HSV through a Herbalist called doctor Excel with his ancient Herbal medicine” he prepared and send me the medicine that I took then I was confirmed by the lab that the virus were gone after some tests.. contact him on his website.. Excelherbalcure.com don’t live all your life with such virus it’s not worth it.
I have taken time out to thank someone who cured me from herpes virus with herbal medicine! It became a major problem for me as it was affecting my daily life as I was no longer comfortable so I decided to look for a solution and I came across several posts about how Dr Excel a herbal man has been helping people on the same problem then I quickly contacted the herbal man and told him my experience with herpes” he told me how to get his product and how to take it, after everything I found out that all was okay with me and that my Herpes problem was gone after testing negative several times, this is why I have come out today to say thanks to him and for others to also believe that there’s cure for herpes. Contact him today on his webpage https://excelherbalcure.com
Hello people all over the world I want to share my experience with herpes and how I was cured from it using herbal meds. I got the virus from my ex and lost all hope because they all say it has no cure, I never believed that I could be cured until I meant this great man’ a herbalist called Dr Excel who knows about ancient herbs. He prepared the herbal medicine for me which I drank for several days, my lab tests all came back negative after I finished with the medicine and all the sores were gone. I want you all with herpes to know that all hope is not lost’ you can contact this herbal man on his web address https://excelherbalcure.com
I want to give all the glory to a herbalist for changing my life by destroying the yoke of Herpes Virus from my system with herbal herbs medication. I have had the virus for three years now’ I continued to pray for divine intervention for my healing because I’m a believer, my condition was so obvious because of the constant Fever & flu like symptoms, Tingling, burning or itching sensation in the area where blisters will appear. I started using antiviral drugs until I saw on the internet that a herbalist called Excel specializes in curing herpes! Everyone on the site was talking about him so I got in contact with the herbalist and he assured me I will get rid of the virus within a month or two. I believed in herbal means and I really needed his help so he sent me the herbal medicine through delivery to drink for almost two weeks! after a month I was experiencing changes in my body system cause the whole pain, Muscle aches were gone so I went for several lab tests and all were negative. I advice you do the same by contacting this herbalist his website if you have herpes virus https://excelherbalcure.com
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Get rid of all kinds of Herpes with Natural Root and Herbal medication. I was once diagnosed with Herpes Genital Warts with nasty blisters and sores but after drinking Dr Excel herbal Medicine for a couple of weeks I couldn’t trace it anymore because all the symptoms disappears totally and I even did a test severally and they all came out Negative. Get Your cure today from him by visiting his website: https://excelherbalcure.com
I can’t express my gratitude to Dr Aba for making me a living testimony. i have battled with HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS 2 for about 7years now, and i have done all i can to make sure i am cured but nothing worked out, but miraculously my friend invited me to see a video on his Blog and as i visited i decided to see few of the comment below, and i found some people talking about Dr Aba, and i decided to contact this great herbal healer to also help me,so i wrote to him, and he replied me back and assure me that i will get a cure for my HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS 2. and after preparing my medicine he sent it to me and when i started using it for 2weeks i was completely cured, I am assuring you that you will be cured if you also contact this great man on his Email: dr.abaherbalhome@ gmail. com or whatsapp is mobile number on 2348107155060
I am so happy to testify of the good work of Dr. Grant, I Suffer from Herpes virus since 2020 and I had frequent symptoms in my private area. after some time it will go away after using acyclovir drugs, then come back after some months. it was disheartening since i have been diagnosed, but after finding Dr. Grant and his reviews i was convinced that he will definitely cure me and so i contacted him and he told me how to get his herbal medicine and using it for just two weeks and i will go for check up and first i said how can that be possible but i used his herbal medicine after making purchase and truly i used it and went for the test again, and my result came back negative. so i made it a task to share this good testimony in the internet so that those sick can benefit and get cured. you can contact him on WhatsApp or call 2348115892498 email grantingheartdesiresspell@ gmail. com
I read on the internet about a traditional herbal man who cures herpes virus with herbal medicine’ I had my doubts and was skeptical but unlike many I decided to place my destiny in my own hands by going further to contact and follow his instructions. This is the words of someone who has felt the pains of being infected and affected with genital Herpes virus and finally got cured after drinking a natural herbal medicine from dr excel the herbalist after being diagnosed for 4years. I am a witness today that herbal medication can cure genital herpes because I have just test negative for the second time and all the symptoms were totally gone. you should contact Doctor Excel by visiting his website…. Excelherbalcure.com
I can’t still believe that I got cured from Genital Herpes through herbal treatment from Dr Excel who I met through the internet, I actually couldn’t believe it at first because it sounded impossible to me knowing how far I have gone just to get rid of it. Dr Excel send me his medicine which I took as instructed and here I am living a happy life once again after testing negative’ and I don’t experience the symptoms no more, a big thanks to Dr Excel, I am sure there are many herbal doctors out there but Dr Excel did it for me, contact him today by visiting his website: https://excelherbalcure.com
I was diagnosed of herpes 3 years, and ever since then i have been taking treatment to prevent outbreaks, burning and blisters, but there was no improvement until i came across testimonies of Dr. Aba on how he has been curing different people from different diseases all over the world, then i contacted him. After our conversation he sent me the medicine which I took according to his instructions for up to 2 weeks. After completing the medication I went back to my doctor for another test and the virus was all gone and I was completely cured, since then I have not had any signs of outbreak. I’m so filled with joy. With herbal medication Herpes Virus is 100% curable. I refer Dr. Aba to everyone out there with the virus. His email address is dr.abaherbalhome@ gmail. com you can also Add Dr.Aba on whatsApp number on 2348107155060