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 basic 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 the study of viruses and the high burden of viral diseases in human society.
7. To describe and tounderstand the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinics, etiologic diagnosis, prevention methods and treatment available for selected groups of viruses/viral infections (e.g. retroviruses, arboviruses, papillomaviruses, herpesviruses, respiratory and enteric 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 singlestranded, and doublestranded genomes).
4.Replication strategies of reverse transcriptasecontaining viruses: the particular case of the Retroviridae family.
5.The epidemiology of infection by influenza virus.
6.The epidemiology of infections by arboviruses.
7.Laboratory diagnosis of infections by arboviruses (e.g. Togaviridae family).
8.Laboratory diagnosis 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. 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
The teaching methodologies proposed, resulting in a mix between a more formal teaching/learning process based on traditional, but broadly participated, lectures, and an individual process, focused on the semiautonomous work of the master students, aiming to stimulate the acquisition of an increasing degree of independence, responsibility and scientific autonomy, seem appropriate to the achievement of all the predefined learning objectives. It is intended that the students will acquire a set of general and specific skills that enable a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to specific problems in this field of knowledge (Medical Virology).
The two assessment components planned for this course also reflect its organization in the two components previously described, demonstrating the dual nature of the teaching methodologies and its consistency with the learning objectives previously put forward.
Evaluation 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).