"Virology is the scientific study of biological viruses. It is a subfield of microbiology that focuses on their detection, structure, classification and evolution, their methods of infection and exploitation of host cells for reproduction, their interaction with host organism physiology and immunity, the diseases they cause, the techniques to isolate and culture them, and their use in research and therapy."
The study of viruses and viral diseases.
Cell biology: Understanding the structure, function, and processes that occur in cells is foundational to virology. This includes knowledge of macromolecules such as DNA, RNA, proteins, and lipids.
Genetics: Knowledge of the principles of genetics, such as gene expression and regulation, DNA replication, transcription, and translation, is important in understanding how viruses interact with host cells.
Immunology: This topic involves the study of the immune system and how it interacts with foreign agents such as viruses. It is essential in understanding how the body responds to viral infections.
Microbiology: Understanding the characteristics of microorganisms, such as viruses and bacteria, is crucial to understanding the nature of viruses.
Biochemistry: This field of study involves the chemical reactions that occur within living organisms. Understanding the biochemistry of viruses and host cells is essential to understanding viral replication.
Molecular biology: This pertains to the study of the structure, function, and interactions of biomolecules within cells. It is central to addressing the questions of how viruses replicate and how they interact with host cells.
Evolutionary biology: Knowledge about the evolution of viruses and their interactions with host organisms is essential in understanding how viruses spread and how the body has developed immunity over time.
Epidemiology: This field deals with the study of the patterns of diseases in populations. Understanding how viruses spread and how they are transmitted is important in preventing outbreaks.
Pathology: This is the study of the effects of diseases on tissues and organs of the body. Understanding the pathogenesis of viral infections is crucial in understanding their effects on people.
Biostatistics: This field involves the use of statistics in biology. It is useful in analyzing data and determining the prevalence and incidence of viral infections in populations.
Structural Virology: It's a study of virus particles' structures and how they interact with their host cells.
Molecular Genetics Virology: It's a study of the genetic components and mechanisms within viruses that control their replication, transmission, and behavior in different hosts.
Pathogenic Virology: It's a study of the effects of viruses on their hosts and the mechanisms by which they cause disease.
Immunological Virology: It's a study of the immune response to viral infections and the mechanisms by which viruses evade the immune system.
Evolutionary Virology: It's a study of the evolution of viruses, including their origins, diversification, and adaptation to different hosts and environments.
Clinical Virology: It's a study of the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of viral infections in humans.
Ecological Virology: It's a study of the interactions between viruses and their ecological surroundings, including their transmission, distribution, and impact on host populations and ecosystems.
Quantitative Virology: It's a study of the mathematical and computational modeling of viral replication, transmission, and evolution.
Synthetic Virology: It's a study of the design and engineering of novel viruses with specific properties and applications, such as gene therapy or vaccine development.
Comparative Virology: It's a study of the similarities and differences between different types of viruses, including their genomes, structures, and replication strategies.
"The identification of the causative agent of tobacco mosaic disease (TMV) as a novel pathogen by Martinus Beijerinck (1898) is now acknowledged as being the official beginning of the field of virology as a discipline distinct from bacteriology."
"Beijerinck used the word 'virus' to describe the mysterious agent in his 'contagium vivum fluidum' ('contagious living fluid')."
"Rosalind Franklin proposed the full structure of the tobacco mosaic virus in 1955."
"Virology began when there were no methods for propagating or visualizing viruses or specific laboratory tests for viral infections. The methods for separating viral nucleic acids (RNA and DNA) and proteins, which are now the mainstay of virology, did not exist."
"Now there are many methods for observing the structure and functions of viruses and their component parts. Thousands of different viruses are now known about, and virologists often specialize in either the viruses that infect plants, or bacteria and other microorganisms, or animals."
"Viruses that infect humans are now studied by medical virologists."
"Virology is a broad subject covering biology, health, animal welfare, agriculture, and ecology."