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Viruses & How to Beat Them: From Cells to Pandemics

Offered By: Tel Aviv University via edX

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Virology Courses Immunology Courses Cell Biology Courses Vaccines Courses

Course Description

Overview

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For centuries viruses have infected millions and changed the course of history. Science and innovation have answered these threats for generations and assisted man in managing emerging pandemics. Consequently, diseases like Smallpox and Polio have practically been eradicated. Yet others like AIDS, SARS and Zika constantly continue to remind us that nature is bigger than us and still has much in store. This has clearly been demonstrated with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has turned our lives upside down.This program is divided into two courses:In the first course – “Introduction to Cell Biology & Viruses” – you will be introduced to the world of cell biology and how viruses, as the ultimate parasites, attack cells and use them to their advantage. We have specially designed video segments that will walk you through the basic workings of our cells, how DNA functions as the hard disc of the genetic heritage we received from our parents and what proteins do to keep our bodies alive and functional.We will review the world of viruses and how they differ from bacteria and other infectious agents. Specific examples of human diseases, such as Polio, Smallpox and Flu will be discussed. In the second course – "Immunology: Fundamentals & Applications" – we will review the basics of our first line of immune defenses, the innate immune system. Furthermore, we will study the second arm of the immune system - adaptive immunity and how highly efficient antibodies and white blood cells custom tailor precise and specific knock-out of invading viruses, while establishing memory cells to protect us against future encounters with these disease-causing agents. Based on the principles of immunity and cell biology we will learn how vaccines work. We will critically evaluate their pros and concerns and how this amazing innovation has saved millions of lives. The last lesson will be dedicated to Coronaviruses and their biology. We will review the spectrum of the human associated Coronaviruses, including SARS CoV from 2002 and MERS CoV from 2012 - the previous Coronavirus pandemics. Moreover, special attention will be devoted to an in-depth focus on SARS CoV2 and why it has been so successful in infecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide. In conclusion, we will discuss various approaches to the treatment and protection against COVID-19 infection and understand how 30 years of scientific innovation has led to the mRNA vaccine revolution.

Syllabus

Courses under this program:
Course 1: Viruses & How to Beat Them I: Introduction to Cell Biology & VirusesWhereas cells are alive, viruses are not. Discover how living cells translate information coded in our genes into proteins and what happens when viruses hijack our cells and cause life threatening diseases.

Course 2: Viruses & How to Beat Them II: Immunology Fundamentals & ApplicationsWhen we are attacked by viruses our bodies are not left helpless. Discover how our immune system fights infectious diseases, how vaccines protect us and how immune mechanisms have been implemented in our fight against Coronavirus.



Courses

  • 0 reviews

    4 weeks, 2-3 hours a week, 2-3 hours a week

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    Have you ever wondered what viruses actually are?

    Have you been curious about the ways they invade our bodies, attack our cells and make us sick? Come and learn what viruses are made of and understand the mechanisms of how they hijack and take over our cells.

    Our bodies are made of cells, which are amazing molecular machines. So long as everything is in working order, we feel great. But surprisingly, these unbelievably tiny parasites, made of protein and genes - viruses - can take control, causing serious damage to our bodies.

    Step by step, this course - the first part of the Viruses & How to Beat Them program - will teach you how the cells of our bodies work to keep us healthy. We will then explore the vast kingdom of viruses; especially those that have caused epidemics like the flu, AIDS and Ebola. In the second part of the program, we will learn how our body defends itself against these viruses, with special attention to the latest threat: SARS CoV2 and the disease it causes - COVID-19.

    The lectures have been carefully planned to clearly describe basic Cell Biology and Virology in terms that everyone can understand, without compromising scientific correctness. You'll participate in a detailed exploration of the structures of our cells and how they function. You'll learn how viruses replicate as well as how scientists investigate these topics. You'll view laboratory demonstrations that illustrate how cells and viruses are grown and studied. Throughout the course, you will meet leading experts and scientists - some of whom have received the Nobel Prize in recognition of their discoveries and contributions to Chemistry and Medicine.

    This course was produced at Tel Aviv University - Innovation in Teaching and Learning.

  • 0 reviews

    3 weeks, 2-3 hours a week, 2-3 hours a week

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    With the emergence of COVID–19, we have all been subject to a massive global pandemic that has turned our lives upside down. We have also witnessed a vaccine revolution, where billions of people around the world have been immunized with a novel mRNA vaccine.

    Together, we will review the principles of how our immune system wards off the threat of viruses and other infectious agents, establishes immunological memory and how these afford a platform for the development and implementation of targeted protective vaccines.

    Once we’ve established a clearer understanding of how science has been applied to produce effective diagnostic tests, better medicines, and protective vaccines, we will direct our attention to the family of the most recent threat to public health: SARS Coronavirus 2. Surprisingly, it turns out that Coronaviruses are not new - some even cause the common cold. Through a systematic analysis of coronaviruses in humans, livestock and pets we will better understand how these viruses function and how effective, or not, are the vaccines raised against them.

    This course was produced at Tel Aviv University - Innovation in Teaching and Learning.


Taught by

Jonathan Gershoni

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