WHAT THE HECK IS A

VIRUS?

The Form, Reproduction, and Genetics of Viruses

Viral Shapes

More Viral FormsFlu Viruses

HIV

Soybean Viruses

Phage Viruses

Emerging Viruses• Neuron Capacity Overload Virus

The virus was discovered in 1988 by German Scientist Oskar P. Sundenkamne at the University of Bonn, Germany. Dr. Sundenkamne is well known for his research in neurology, particularly for his discovery of acetyl-pepstatin binding membranes in 1986. His interest in the Neuron Capacity Overload Virus was piqued when he noticed its tendencies to attack certain types of brain cells, a phenomenon unusual to viruses.

Similar in shape to the bacteriophages, such as T-2

Other Kinds of Viruses

What a relief, doc!  For a second there I thought you said my *computer* had the virus!

Structure of the T-2 Phage

The Capsid Is an iscosahedron: a 20-

sided shape

Viral Reproductive Cycle

T-4 Phage – Lytic Cycle

Lambda Phage Life Cycles

Cycle of An Enveloped Virus

By coating itself with cell membrane, the virus avoids detection by the victim’s immune system.

HIV – A Retrovirus

HIV Entering a Cell

Plants Have Viruses Too!

Tobacco Mosaic Virus

Emerging Viruses

Ebola Virus (filovirus family) Hantavirus

http://www.stanford.edu/group/virus/viruslist.html http://www.virology.net/Big_Virology/BVDiseaseList.html

Other “Weird” Infectious Agents

• Viroids

• Prions

VIROIDS

Master List of Viroids

Viroids are smaller than viruses

Naked, circular RNA.

Affect plants

PRIONS• Infectious proteins

• Cause Degenerative Brain Disease

• BSE “mad cow disease, Creutzfeld-Jacob disease, scrapie, and Kuru

Do All Scientists Agree?

• No – Not all scientists believe that Prions are the cause of BSE or nvCJD

• A slow-acting virus may be the cause

• No treatment existsNational Institute of Health – “Research In The News”

A.S.M Microbe File Story – All About Prions

NOVA: Do Prions Exist? Conflicting Viewpoints.

Click here for the Leicester Microbiology Dept. for a detailed overview of Prions and Prion disorders

For More Information…

• Center For Disease Control (CDC), Washinton, D.C.

• World Health Organization (WHO)• Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report• National Library of Medicine (Page for

vaccination and immunization info.)• National Institute of Health (Home Page)• National Immunization Program (Adult)• National Immunization Program (Child)