Virologia Médica

Code

21210

Academic unit

NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas

Department

Medical Virology

Credits

7

Teacher in charge

Prof. Doutor João Mário Brás da Piedade

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

1.    To recognize the differences between viruses and biological species;

2.    To describe the high viral diversity and to understand the basis for the taxonomic classification of viruses;

3.    To identify the mechanisms of viral transmission and infection;

4.    To describe the general principles of different molecular strategies for viral replication;

5.    To understand the molecular interactions of viruses from different families with animal cells and to apply basic concepts of cell and molecular biology to describe viral replication cycles of representative viruses with high impact on human health;

6.    To recognize the importance of studying viruses and the high burden of viral diseases in human society;

7.    To describe and to understand the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinics, diagnostics, prevention methods and treatment available for selected groups of viruses/viral infections (e.g. retroviruses, arboviruses, papillomaviruses, herpesviruses, respiratory and hepatitis A, B, C, and E viruses).

 

Prerequisites

n/a

Subject matter

1.    Milestones in Virology. General properties, structure, classification and nomenclature of viruses;

2.    Replication strategies of DNA viruses;

3.    Replication strategies of RNA viruses (with positive, negative, or ambisense single-stranded, and double-stranded genomes):

4.    Replication strategies of reverse transcriptase-containing viruses: the particular case of the Retroviridae Family;

5.    The epidemiology of infection by influenza virus;

6.    The epidemiology of infections by arboviruses;

7.    Molecular diagnostics of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection;

8.    Laboratory diagnostics of infections by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV);

9.    Papillomavirus infections;

10. Viral infections of the respiratory tract;

11. Herpesvirus infections;

12. Viral infections of vertical transmission;

13. Viral infections with eradication programs (rubella, measles and poliomyelitis);

14. Hepatitis A, B, C and E viruses infections;

15. Seminar on selected “hot topic” in the field of Medical Virology (to be prepared by students).

 

Bibliography

1.  Acheson NH (2011). Fundamentals of Molecular Virology. John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, NJ, 2ª Ed.

2. Barroso H, MeliçoSilvestre A, Taveira N (coord.) (2014). Microbiologia Médica, vol.2 (Virologia) Lidel, Lisboa.

3. Cann AJ (2012). Principles of Molecular Virology. Elsevier Academic Press, Burlington, MA, 5ª Ed.

4. Collier L, Oxford J, Kellam P (2011). Human Virology. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 4ª Ed.

5. Flint SJ, Enquist LW, Racaniello VR, Skalka AM (2009). Principles of Virology. ASM Press, Washington, DC, 3ª Ed. (2 vols.).

6. Strauss JH, Strauss EG (2008). Viruses and Human Disease. Elsevier Academic Press, Burlington, MA, 2ª Ed.

 

Teaching method

Contact hours will be distributed by lectures, laboratory practices, and tutored discussion sessions on specific topics selected from a list provided at the beginning of the curricular unit, with an end to its oral presentation, as a seminar (this activity involves the semi-autonomous search and selection of relevant bibliography). Other activities may also be suggested, such as visits to virology laboratories, assistance to conferences, etc. The final assessment will comprise two components: a final exam consisting of multiple choice questions (with a number of questions per topic proportional to its teaching time coverage during the course), and the preparation of an oral presentation on a selected “hot topic” in this area of knowledge (the assessment criteria will be previously announced, e.g., organization of the text produced, scientific accuracy, demonstration of an up-to-date knowledge on the selected topic).

Evaluation method

- Exam - 70% (Multiple-choice test, with 50 questions)

- Oral thematic presentation/group seminar) - 30% (The evaluation will be attributed to the group, however, being able to assign up to ± 2 values, an individual title, as a bonus or penalty).

 

A minimum mark of 8.5 is required for each of the assessment components, being approved the student who obtains a final weighted classification of not less than 9.5.

 

Courses

• Master in Medical Microbiology