Genetics and Molecular Biology

Research in Virology allows accomplishing, with relative ease, fundamental discoveries on the mechanisms that regulate complex biological processes and on the origin of life. Thanks to the study of the biology of viruses, in the effort to fight the negative effects they have on their hosts, it has been possible to use them to our advantage so that today Virology has many applications in biotechnology. The discoveries in the field of Virology increase unabated providing more and more knowledge on the molecular details of viruses, including the interactions with their hosts. The breadth of information, old and new, requires to limit the number of viruses discussed in the teaching of Virology, making a selection of examples to be illustrated, which demonstrate broad principles as well as specific detail. Through in-depth discussion of selected topics, the teaching of Molecular Virology aims to provide a comprehensive view of the world of viruses, characterized by such great diversity, knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of the virus life cycle and of their influence on the physiology of the host cell, and the molecular basis of their use in biotechnology. Finally, by including some flipped lessons, the Course of Molecular Virology aims to improve the students’ skills to communicate their knowledge to both specialists and non-specialists. Intended Learning Outcomes of Course By the end of Molecular Virology Course, students will acquire knowledge on: - The pivotal role of molecular virology discoveries on the understanding of the main biological processes; - The mechanisms by which hosts control virus infection and how different viruses overcome these; - The life cycles of selected DNA and RNA viruses; - The molecular basis for how certain viruses cause disease; - Why do viruses cause cancer; - The molecular basis of antiviral therapy - The current state of scientific knowledge for several virus systems under study; - The molecular basis for creating recombinant viruses. By the end of the Molecular Virology Course, students should be able to: - Develop a detailed understanding of the molecular biology underpinning viral replication cycles and virus-host interactions to build original ideas aimed at creating biotechnological tools to be used in a research context; - Apply their knowledge and understanding to solve problems in medical sphere associated to viral infection, identifying potential targets for designing antiviral drugs. - Integrate the acquired knowledge for facing emerging viral infection, express judgments and reflect on social and ethical responsibilities linked to vaccines and genome editing. - Communicate responsibly and illustrate correctly, to specialist and non-specialist audiences, the potential of new technologies based on recombinant viruses both in developing new vaccines and the manipulation of eukaryotic cells. - Continue to study in autonomous manner bio-molecular aspects aimed at understanding and explaining new viral infections and their consequences at the cell and the whole organism level.