Virology

Code: BIO12418L

6 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours

Scientific Area: Biological Sciences

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English

Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Sustainable Development Goals

3. Saúde de qualidade - Assegurar uma vida saudável e promover o bem-estar para todos, em todas as idades.

4. Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

9. Indústria, inovação e infraestruturas - Construir infraestrutura resiliente, promover a industrialização inclusiva e sustentável, e fomentar a inovação.

Learning Goals

1. The main goal for the discipline is to understand the molecular biology of sub-microscopic organisms in
order to facilitate the comprehension of the world and its changes. Several examples of mediatic value will
be used (AIDS. FLU H5N1, BSE)
2. In the theoretical ground the biological and molecular bases to understand virus will be discussed, with
some incursions into the taxonomic aspects of the most relevant virus.
3. Using E.coli bacteriophages, low hazard level material, the technologies for the study of unseen
organisms will be developed and discussed.

Theoretical Programme
1. Introduction and functioning of the course
2. General and Molecular Virology
3. Taxonomy and Sistematics
4. Infection and infectious agents
5. Immunology of viral infections
6. Epidemiology of viral diseases
7. Treatment and prevention of viral diseases
8. Diagnostic of viruses
9. Biotechnological applications of virus

Laboratory Programme
1. Theoretical introduction. Biosafety in the laboratory.
2. Experimental study of virus
3. Plant viral Infection (tobacco)
4. Bacterial growth curve
5. Preparation of an elevated titre virus
6. Dosing of virus Plaque forming assay
7. Dosing of virus Limiting dilutions
8. Autonomous laboratory work: isolation and characterisation of an wild bacteriophage.

Teaching Methods

The teaching methods are aligned with an active, student-centered pedagogical model:
Lectures: interactive oral exposition supported by audiovisual resources and discussion of current topics;
Theoretical?practical sessions: analysis and discussion of scientific articles, clinical cases, films, and other pedagogical materials; group presentations on specific topics (e.g., viral diseases), followed by discussion moderated by the professor.
Laboratory sessions: Execution of experimental virology protocols using plant viruses.

Assessment

Evaluation is continuous and includes theoretical, practical, and laboratory components:
Theoretical evaluation (written tests): 60% (minimum grade: 9.5/20);
Theoretical?practical evaluation (presentation and discussion of projects): 20% (minimum grade: 9.5/20);
Practical evaluation (poster): 20% (minimum grade: 9.5/20);
Minimum attendance: 75% in TP and laboratory sessions.
Students who do not pass through continuous evaluation may undertake a final individual examination, covering all programmatic contents of the curricular unit.