Virology Lectures 2019 #3: Genomes and Genetics

The viral genome, which may be DNA or RNA, is the repository of genetic information, the blueprint for making new virus particles. In this lecture we review each of the seven types of viral genome and trace the pathway to mRNA. We discuss the largest and smallest genomes, what is and is not encoded in the genome, and how to manipulate the viral genome to facilitate their study and their use as vectors.

[kierancunningham]

Dear professsor Vincent. I am a graduate chemist and studied biochemistry at University. I am trying to upskill to virology and although it is tough I am making progress, We have PCR at work so I am keen to learn more and get into this area. Thanks so much for putting this out and greetings from Ireland. Kieran

[BillyLapTop]

Great series! Thank you for making the effort to share them with the world. I know there must be young people watching these lectures and some will be similarly affected in the same manner the book you read "Fever" changed your choice of study and career. You have created a wonderful legacy in sharing this information.

[abramcadabros]

Good Day Professor, I'm here to show my gratitude! Last year I took your youtube course and now I actually work at a virology lab!
I feel so great that I work where I belong :D

Btw, may I ask you some questions about the workflow? Why should we keep RT in the freezer until the very moment of performing reverse transcription? Will RT just denature outside of the fridge? Or be chopped by some bacterial proteases?

[JonesNoahT]

You are a great scientist yourself, and I know it wouldn’t be strictly pertinent to the course, but I would love to see perhaps a TWiV video on what it was like to be a grad student in David Baltimore’s lab. You have mentioned that many of Dr. Baltimore’s students have been successful in virology, and I would love to know if you believe that the Baltimore lab culture had anything to do with that success.
Best,
Noah

[valfredodematteis-poet]

Thank you very much for these videos, they're so helpful

[gorb]

Lets just solute the people like this guy that are putting college/university education out here for free

[drgreensteam]

I dont have a life sciences background and now realise I need to know a bit more on genetics to appreciate a lot of what is being talked about in this course. Is there a basic genetics course like this which I could watch?

[sowmyakrishnan]

I have a question here.. If we put say 8 plasmids or 10 overlapping DNA strands inside a cell to reconstruct the viral particles, should the cells be prior modified to not encode any nucleases? How does one ensure the stability of these genetic material once they enter the cell?

[classicalroach]

Quick question, if it’s so well known for so long how to manipulate viruses, what’s stopping the prototypical mad scientist from doing it for evil purposes?

Asking for a friend.

PS, my entry drug to virology as a kid was Preston’s “The Hot Zone.” I’m a great fan of viruses too and I have great respect for the field. But recently I just have these odd questions in light of current events. I’d really like someone to deeply address this reasonable concern that many reasonable (and unreasonable) people share.

[pattimichellesheaffer]

That's what was confusing for me for a long time - the Baltimore emphasis on mRNA - which, agreed, is important, but making new copies of the viral genome seemed almost equally important.

[arpitjain]

Sir, I have a question why is it necessary for a single stranded DNA to become double stranded for transcription process in viruses while only ( -)sense act as DNA tempate?

[garrystone]

Such a fascinating series of lectures. Why does the university permit persons to continually make disruptive and distracting noise in the background?

[emadalkhateb]

doctor please what is the textbook that you prefer to study virology

[vasyansosnitskiy]

Yo Prof, you are kinda wrong about Smallpox being unique to CDC, there is but one another place in the world with it -Vector Institute in Koltsovo, Motha Russia :D