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551-0367-00L 6 Credits BSC D-BIOL

How Animal Viruses Enter Host Cells

Lecturers: Prof. em. Dr. Ari Helenius, Dr. Lucas Pelkmans, Prof. Dr. Urs Franz Greber
Examiners: Prof. em. Dr. Ari Helenius
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:23:45

Abstract

Conceptual and experimental insight into the complex molecular interactions and cellular processes that govern early interactions between animal viruses and their host cells.

Objective

The students will learn to describe the concepts that govern early interactions between animal viruses and their host cells, and learn to apply the experimental strategies used to investigate these complex molecular interactions and cellular processes.

Content

Students will learn to read and evaluate literature data, formulate scientific questions, discuss and write about scientific issues, design experiments, and interpret experimental results. The practical take-home messages are: Skills in tissue culture, experience in high-end live cell fluorescence microscopy, and exposure to perturbation techniques such as inhibitors, dominant negative proteins, and siRNA silencing to inhibit cellular processes. The conceptual take-home messages are: By focusing on viral pathogens as a model system, the course will illustrate central properties of membranes, membrane traffic, and signaling with the plasma membrane and endocytosis as central elements. Students will work in small groups. The experimental work will occur in the research labs of the instructors, and focus on topics close to the interests of the participating research groups.

Resources

Literature

Documentation and recommended literature (review articles and selected primary literature) will be provided during the course.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance
Es wird nur der Hauptexaminator aufgeführt. Weitere Examinatoren: Die oben aufgeführten Dozierenden.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise How Animal Viruses Enter Host Cells
Permission from lecturers required for all students. Block course in the 4th quarter of the winter semester (restricted to max. 12 participants) Course will start in room HPM D7
No time listed 100 h semesterly

Offered In