BIOMI 6906

Prokaryotic Biology: Viral Diversity and Ecology

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2020-2021.

This course is intended to give graduate students an introduction to virology in an environmental setting. As crucial components of ecosystem function in many habitats, viruses infecting bacteria (bacteriophage) and higher organisms infect and kill their hosts, mediate gene transfer, influence system biogeochemical cycling, and form important links in microbial food webs. This course will provide an overview of viral biology and lifestyles, infection kinetics, and then provide an appreciation for different types of viruses including uncultivated viruses recovered through metagenomics. The course will conclude with discussion of viral influence upon ecosystem processes and host communities.

When Offered Spring (weeks 10-15).

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