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Biotechnology Programme
BTY 328: Applied Virology
(Third term: 16th July – 31st August 2007)
Overview
There is more diversity within the viruses than in all the rest of the bacterial, plant and animal
kingdoms put together. This is the result of the success of the viruses in parasitizing all
known groups of living organisms. The ability to infect human cells has lead to viruses
being developed as gene delivery systems for the treatment of inherited and acquired
diseases. This module shows how the powerful new technology of genetic engineering has
revolutionized virology and shifted the focus of attention away from the virus particle onto
the virus genome. The course examines some of the latest developments in the use of virus
biotechnology. It also covers some virus diseases and the biotechnology processes that have
been developed to control them, from novel approaches to vaccination to new treatments that
block virus replication.
Lecturers
Mr. Michael Tobin
Email: tobinm@cput.ac.za
Prof Sean Davison.
Email: SDavison@uwc.ac.za
Practical Co-ordinator
Charles Gelderbloem. Room 121
Email: CGelderbloem@uwc.ac.za
Contact times
Monday:
Tuesday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
10.50 -11.50
9.40 - 10.40
10.50 - 17.00
8.30 - 9.30
(lecture)
(lecture)
(practical)
(tut)
CH1
CH1
Lab
CH1
Evaluation
Final Exam
CEM:
40%
60%
The 60% CEM mark will be calculated as follows:
Test 1 (Wed 1st Aug):
10%
Test 2 date to be confirmed 10%
Test 3 (Wed 29th Aug):
10%
Pracs
30%
-------------------------------------------Total:
60%
Tests will be held in the 8.30 Wednesday time slot on the dates indicated. Material to be
examined will be clearly indicated.
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Supplementary exam:
A supplementary theory exam will be held. There will be no supplementary practical exam.
The practical mark gained during the module will be carried over to calculate the
supplementary mark.
All notices concerning tests and marks will appear on the Biotechnology notice board.
Sick tests:
A day will be set aside at the end of the semester when all science faculty sick tests will be
held. Students need to bring a medical certificate when applying for a sick test.
.
Course Text
There is no prescribed text for this course. Some Useful texts:
1. Principles of Gene Manipulation: An Introduction to Genetic Engineering.
Authors: Old and Primrose
A copy will be placed on reserve in the library.
2. Microbiology.
Authors: Prescott
3. Molecular Biotechnology. Principles and Applications of Recombinant DNA
Authors: Glick and Pasternak.
4. AIDS update 2004
Author: Stine
5. Principles of Virology: Molecular biology, pathogenesis and control.
Authors: Flint et al
Lecture Material
All overheads can be accessed from my home page on the Biotechnology Department web
site:
http://www.biotechnology.uwc.ac.za/StaffandStudents/Staff/staff_webpages/sean_davison
A hard copy of all the lecture overheads will be made available.
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Biotechnology Program
BTY328: Applied Virology 2007
Topic
Content
Source
1
Virus molecular biology:
Virus structure and general characterisation.
Replication strategies: Bacteria and animal
viruses
- genome replication of RNA & DNA virus.
- reverse transcription & integration.
Vaccines
Types, preparation, recombinant technology,
vector vaccines
Virus Diseases
Human diseases of the skin, nervous system,
respiratory tract, digestive system, lymphatic
system
Human and Animal Gene Therapy:
Ex vivo, in vivo, retroviral vectors, viral delivery
systems. Transgenesis, gene delivery systems,
selection systems, transgenic examples
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Pathogenesis:
Background, origins, features, genetic stability,
genotypes
Human Immunodeficiency Virus: Treatments
and vaccines
Anti-HIV drugs, vaccines, mode of transmission,
course of infection
Prescott
2
3
4
5
6
7
Prescott
Prescott
Brock
Glick & Pasternak
Prescott
Brock
Flint
Glick and Pasternak
Stine
Flint
Stine
Flint