To start off, virology is the study of the biology behind viral diseases and deducing their behaviors, including how they spread. Consisting of both nucleic acids and proteins, viruses are intracellular parasites, meaning they survive by feeding off of a host cell. These parasites are studied in fields like molecular biology and biochemistry. Viral disease examinations are not only limited to their behaviors; they overlap with the study of ecology, how viruses evolve, and determining how they interact with one another, as well as other microorganisms. Virology studies a virus’ unique ability to infect a cell with its own and heterologous genetic information. This action in turn results in drastic alterations in the cell’s homeostasis, leading to the dysfunctioning of the organism’s body processes and organs.
Virology has made significant contributions to the longevity of humans; by studying viruses and determining their behaviors, the viral diseases that plague populations are able to be detected from early stages, and subsequently contain the infection. Viral detection methods detect viruses by scanning for factors such as characteristics in the genome of a suspected virus, over evident antigens, and enzyme behaviors. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests are able to identify viral genome sequences in an infection, and are the standard methods in detecting viruses, though they have limitations. To step up the game, virologists introduced microplate readers, which are far more precise and accurate systems, particularly helpful in viral outbreaks. They have the capabilities to utilize a wide range of viral detection methods to analyze the molecular and cellular content of a virus.
Moreover, Western blot tests, another method of virus identification, detect certain viral antigens. The pattern and molecular masses of the infected viral cells speak the truth about what type of virus is being dealt with. The history of virology has come a long way; today, a virus doesn’t need to go through rigorous processes to determine what the disease is. Numerous viral diseases and infections, like the influenza virus, HIV, and Hepatitis B, are easy to identify based on common symptoms exhibited by the patient.
Coined from the Latin word meaning ‘slimy liquid or poison,’ viruses were discovered in 1901 by Walter Reed, who initially identified the yellow fever virus. Viral diseases affect both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, from microorganisms to massive mammals. They are abiotic, complex organic matter; viruses cannot reproduce or replicate unless inhabiting a host cell, where they have the ability to evolve faster than any organism on the planet. It’s safe to say that viruses are the most rampant ‘species’ on the planet.
Works Cited
Antonelli, G., and M. Pistello. “Virology: A scientific discipline.” Clinical Microbiology & Infection, 20 December 2018, https://www.clinicalmicrobiologyandinfection.com/article/S1198-743X(18)30775-4/fulltext. Accessed 9 April 2023.
Modrow, S. “Lab methods for detecting viruses.” Springer, Springer Link, 2013, https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-642-20718-1_13#citeas. Accessed 8 April 2023.
Racaniello, Vincent. “Ten cool facts about viruses.” Virology blog, 19 October 2009, https://virology.ws/2009/10/19/ten-cool-facts-about-viruses/. Accessed 09 April 2023.
Volz, Ann-Cathrin. “Viral detection methods.” BMG Labtech, 29 June 2021, https://www.bmglabtech.com/en/blog/virus-detection-methods/. Accessed 8 April 2023.
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