Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Study, in a laboratory environment, of animal viruses as infectious agents that threaten human health as well as their use as biomedical tools. Includes cell culture methods, virus amplification, titration, purification, and identification, etc.

COURSE DETAILS:

Course Description:  This laboratory course will focus on two animal viruses: AcNPV, an insect virus commonly used in biomedical fields to produce recombinant proteins and influenza A virus. By using real live animal viruses, students will learn basic skills specific to the field of animal virology research. We are using level 2 pathogens. Therefore, students taking this course are expected that they have some previous experience in handling common laboratory equipment such as pipettors, though previous formal safety training is not expected. Basic virological knowledge is essential. By the nature of animal virology knowledge in molecular/cellular biology, biochemistry and basic immunology will greatly help.

Format and Organization:  There will be one 4-hour class each week that includes a short description of the exercise of the day followed by the students’ performance. As this course is intended to provide students with hands-on experience, class attendance is essential. Due to the nature of biological experiments, there will occasionally be extra lab works beyond the regular hours for thorough experiences. Students are encouraged to participate in these. All the students are requested to write 7 lab reports individually to complete the course.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

By the completion of this course it is expected that the students will be knowledgeable in the very basic experimental techniques used in animal virology through laboratory exercises.

Grading

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Please bring a lab coat that can be left in the teaching lab.

REQUIRED READING:

RECOMMENDED READING: