Huang Recommended and assigned reading 2001-2002 September 18, September 20 Mutation, reassortment and recombination. Viruses, especially RNA and retroviruses, are astonishingly adaptable, because of their extremely high mutation rates. For example, simple calculations show that a sample of a million virus genomes contains within it all possible single-base mutants. The tremendous potential to generate diversity has fundamental implications for how we should go about controlling virus infection. 25 September 27 Studies of the molecular biology and immunology of HIV-1 are providing new approaches to treatment and prevention of infection.
Viral diversity is a major challenge.
The interaction of a virus with host cell receptors is the first step in the infection process and an important determinant of cell tropism. We will survey the wide range of receptors and co-factors different viruses utilize to bind to cells and address how receptor choice can influence host range, tropism and virulence. We will discuss the unique interplay between these three proteins, define the key steps in influenza virus entry and exit and finally, contrast influenza virus entry with that of other viruses. They all can transform the host cell. Dr. Simon Wain-Hobson, Pasteur Institute.