Explore the future of virology in this 31-minute lecture by Dr. Lynn Enquist, Henry L. Hillman Professor in Molecular Biology and Professor in the Princeton Neuroscience Institute at Princeton University. Discover recent breakthroughs and understand the importance of virology as an integrative subject affecting all life on Earth. Learn about the drivers of new virology research that will shape the field in the 21st century, including technological advancements, pathogen discovery, and systems approaches. Gain insights into the challenges and opportunities facing modern virologists, such as the study of giant viruses, viral ecology, and the impact of the microbiome on human health. Understand the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork and the evolving landscape of scientific communication in shaping the future of virology research and education.
Overview
Syllabus
Intro
Virology has had a phenomenal impact on biological discovery
A successful modern virologist must know a little about everything!
Virologists Have Job Security.... Viruses are a deep part of the planet's ecosystem - they are everywhere life exists
Virus ecology: our ignorance has been remarkable - consider new data on virus particles in the oceans.
Another Surprise: Virus particles are supposed to be very small: A "girus", a giant virus particle
Even larger virus particles are out there (the megaviruses)
An astonishing diversity of viruses awaits discovery Look at these wasp virus particles
Wasp virus particles consist of several nucleocapsids surrounded by two envelopes
What next in Virology? Certainly there will be new technology Technology opens new vistas
Viral DNA technology has revolutionized epidemiology
Host Genetics: We are finding differences in individual genomes that make them more or less susceptible to viral infections.
In the past, identifying pathogens has been difficult and slow
An example of technology opening new vistas: Pathogen discovery by sequencing the fecal virome
The identification of new viruses brings a serious challenge
Our intestinal microflora (the microbiome) are essential for our health and limit the colonization of pathogenic bacteria
A systems approach to virology
The fundamental premise of "holistic virology": Systems Virology
Future studies of viral pathogenesis will reveal specific viral slanatures of network imbalance
Other new technologies are coming quickly to fill out the premise of systems virology
Coupling new technology with established procedures
Major questions facing virologists
Public need and support will continue to drive virology's future
Scientists must make it clear that economic stability is interwoven with scientific progress
Training virologists for the future
Interdisciplinary team work is powerful
Look at virology discovery history: all those Nobel Prizes...
THE CRYSTAL BALL
The obvious drivers of virology research in the next decade
We are at a seminal moment in the conduct of the life sciences
The future of journals and traditional publications is not clear. Scientific communication is changing
One thing is certain: The basic biology of viruses, even those that today may not seem relevant to human, animal, and plant disease, must be studied.
Taught by
American Society for Microbiology
