Incapable to do it themselves, viruses completely rely on using human host biology in invading their cells, a process known as infection. It is our own biology controlled by our own genes that allow viruses to infect our body. How does this process take place and what influential factors are involved? In this course, we will reveal some of the molecular events that are involved in viral infection and how our own human genes are involved in this process. An interesting scene from two sides, facilitating viral entry to our cells and also fighting viruses to eradicate their infection.
One of the most crucial biological processes is how we defend ourselves against pathogenic invaders such as viruses. It is logical to assume that in order to invade a very complex organism, such as a human, a similar level of complexity is required. Viruses do just that through their sophisticated genetic system. The irony is that these viruses cannot survive alone and it is the human body that offers them a luxurious hotel in which to stay and multiply.
Viruses such as COVID-19 invade the body and propagate inside it to produce more viruses that spreads from one person to another. COVID-19 specifically, has a very unique speed in invading and infecting humans. This is due to its genetic ability of sticking strongly to the human cell surface.
In this course, we will attempt to understand how viral diseases develop at the molecular level, taking the COVID-19 as an example virus. But before that, we will introduce human genes and their functions. We will then look into more details at how human genes fight virus genes. Finally, we will explore how scientists are developing several approaches in the search for anti-virus therapies.