Virology 101

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)

Emerging Viruses (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)

Picornaviruses

118 thoughts on “Virology 101”

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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.

  6. 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

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. Cresia Sutherland

    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

  13. Cresia Sutherland

    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

  14. Visit______ Her pestr eame ntdo ctor ( g ma i l co m)

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  15. 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.

  16. 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.

  17. 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.

  18. 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

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