2023
Virology
Name: 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
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.
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.
Contents
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.
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
1. Theoretical presentations
2. Bench working according predefined technical protocols
3. Oriented free laboratory work
4. Poster monograph presentations of a new invented virus
- Theoretical component (60%) - Continuous assessment written tests (2 frequencies) or final exams,
- Practical component (15%) - Evaluation of written report on isolation and summary characterization of a wild virus.
- Monographic / inventive component (15%) - Poster evaluation with public presentation of a new virus or viral infection
- Attendance (10%) - Attendance registration in all theoretical and practical.
2. Bench working according predefined technical protocols
3. Oriented free laboratory work
4. Poster monograph presentations of a new invented virus
- Theoretical component (60%) - Continuous assessment written tests (2 frequencies) or final exams,
- Practical component (15%) - Evaluation of written report on isolation and summary characterization of a wild virus.
- Monographic / inventive component (15%) - Poster evaluation with public presentation of a new virus or viral infection
- Attendance (10%) - Attendance registration in all theoretical and practical.
Teaching Staff
- Ana Catarina Almeida Sousa [responsible]
- Patrick José de Queiroz Materatski
