BIOL 407 - Biology of AIDS

Credits: 2

Seminar focusing on AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). Involves in-depth analyses of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and its impact on the immune system of the host. This includes discussions of genetic complexity of HIV, and cutting edge research into developing immune, biochemical and molecular tools to target its life cycle and develop therapies and vaccines against it. Oral topics include CD4/GP120 fusion inhibitors, neutralizing antibodies, chemokine co-receptors, targeting regulatory genes TAT, REV and NEF, inhibiting reverse transcriptase, HIV protease and integrase, RNAi/Crispr approaches, evolution of HIV, vaccines, non-progressors, maternal/pediatric AIDS, epidemiology, and use of HIV as a therapy. Prerequisites: Biol 113 and 114. Offered in fall and spring.