Coursera – Virology I How Viruses Work (Columbia University)

This introductory virology course emphasizes the common reactions that must be completed by all viruses for successful reproduction within a host cell and survival and spread within a host population. The molecular basis of alternative reproductive cycles are presented with examples drawn from a set of representative animal and human viruses, although selected bacterial viruses will be discussed.
Syllabus

Week 1
Welcome to virology
What is a virus?
Viruses then and now

Week 2
The infectious cycle
Assay of viral infectivity
Measurement of virions and their components
Revolutionary methods
One-step growth cycle

Week 3
The Baltimore scheme
DNA virus genomes
RNA virus genomes
Viral genetics

Week 4
Structure
The tools of structural virology
Helical symmetry
Icosahedral symmetry
Enveloped virions
Complex virions

Week 5
Attachment to cells
Entry into cells
Acid-catalyzed fusion
A new paradigm for entry
Entry of non-enveloped virions
Entering the nucleus

Week 6
Viral RNA synthesis
RNA polymerization
Plus strand RNA synthesis
Negative strand RNA synthesis
RNA synthesis of dsRNA genomes
RNA synthesis as a source of diversity

Week 7
DNA basics
Lessons from SV40
Priming via DNA or protein
Viral origins
Big DNA viruses
Regulation of DNA synthesis

Week 8
Transcription
Initiation of transcription
Viral transcription regulation
Capping and polyadenylation
Pre-mRNA splicing

Week 9
Reverse transcriptase
Retroviruses
Reverse transcription
Integration
The provirus
Hepatitis B virus

Week 10
End-dependent initiation of protein synthesis
Other decoding mechanisms
One mRNA, one protein?
Maximizing coding capacity of the viral genome
Regulation of translation: eIF2alpha
How viruses regulate cell translation
MicroRNAs

Week 11
Principles of virion assembly
Getting to the right place
Making sub-assemblies
Concerted assembly: Budding
Genome packaging
Acquisition of an envelope and egress