Molecular virology and viral pathogenesis

Viruses include major pathogens that can cause severe diseases in humans and many other species. Thus, viral infections pose grand challenges to global health. However, viruses are also critical to our existence, with essential roles in biology and evolution in all kingdoms of life. Viruses also provide important tools in research and medicine, including potential treatments for cancer and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

In this unit, you will gain a strong foundation in the fundamentals of virology, our relationship with viruses, and methods by which we can control viral spread and disease. You will gain practical research skills in state-of-the-art virology techniques used in research and diagnostic laboratories, crucial to our responses to infections and outbreaks, including virus culture, purification and identification. This unit will provide you with the knowledge and skills to understand how viruses impact on all species on our planet, and ways that we can safeguard society against existing and future global threats, including pandemics such as COVID-19.