Viroloogia

Viroloogia, or virology, is the branch of science that studies viruses and virus-like agents. It examines viral structure, genetics, taxonomy, replication mechanisms, and interactions with host organisms, including humans, animals, plants, and bacteria (bacteriophages). Virology also investigates viral diseases, transmission, ecology, evolution, and the development of diagnostics, vaccines, and antiviral therapies.

Researchers use a range of methods to study viruses, such as virus isolation and culture, electron microscopy, molecular techniques (PCR, genome sequencing), serology, and bioinformatics. Experimental systems include cell cultures, organoids, animal models, and plant hosts. A typical virus life cycle involves attachment to a receptor, entry, genome replication, assembly of viral components, and release from the cell. Viruses vary by genome type (DNA or RNA; single- or double-stranded; segmented or not) and by whether they have a lipid envelope.

Subfields cover medical virology, veterinary virology, plant virology, and environmental virology, and their work informs vaccinology, antiviral drug development, gene therapy, and oncolytic virotherapy. Virology intersects with epidemiology and public health, guiding surveillance, outbreak response, and vaccination strategies. Biosafety, biosecurity, and ethical considerations are central in handling pathogenic viruses and in research oversight.

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