NCHU Course Outline
Course Name (中) 分子病毒學(6364)
(Eng.) Molecular Virology
Offering Dept Graduate Institute of Biotechnology
Course Type Elective Credits 3 Teacher CHUNG-CHI HU et al.
Department Graduate Institute of Biotechnology / Graduate Language Chinese Semester 2026-SPRING
Course Description The aim of this course is to study the mechanisms of virus infection. The contents will cover the taxonomy, the structures, and the life cycles of viruses. The mechanisms of viral replication and translation will also be discusses. This course will also invite well-known molecular virologists to give lectures.
Prerequisites
Relevance of Course Objectives and Core Learning Outcomes(%) Teaching and Assessment Methods for Course Objectives
Course Objectives Competency Indicators Ratio(%) Teaching Methods Assessment Methods
To have the students know the recent discovery and development about the molecular virology.
6.Capable of analyzing data and experimental results.
7.Capable of writing research reports.
70
30
Lecturing
Quiz
Attendance
Course Content and Homework/Schedule/Tests Schedule
Week Course Content
Week 1 Introduction to molecular virology
 What are viruses?
 Differences among viruses infecting plants, animals, and microbes
 Brief overview of the course
Week 2 Structures and classifications of viruses
 Functions of viral capsid proteins
 Different structures of viruses
 ICTV classification of viruses
Week 3 Genome strategies of viruses
 Genome structures of viruses
 Expression of viral genes in mono- and poly-cistronic systems
 Canonical and non-canonical translation
Week 4 Analysis of viral genome diversity
 Mutation, recombination, and re-assortment
 Concept of quasi-species
 Adaptation of viruses to different hosts
Week 5 Introduction to MEGA & DnaSP software
 MEGA: Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis
 DnaSP: DNA Sequence Polymorphism
 Hands-on practices
Week 6 How does a virus establish an infection cycle?
 Entry into the first cell (uncoating + translation)
 Establishment of replication
 Cell-to-cell movement
Week 7 Translation with unconventional strategies
 Cap-independent translation
 Translational recoding strategies
 Subgenomic RNAs as translational tools
 Polyprotein strategy and proteolytic processing
 Host factor hijacking
 Regulation of protein ratios
Week 8 DNA virus replication mechanism
 Geminiviridae, Caulimoviridae, Nanoviridae
 Nuclear import of viral DNA, viral proteins (e.g., Rep) interacting host proteins
 Rolling circle replication (RCR)
Week 9 RNA virus replication mechanism
 Formation of replication complexes on host membranes
 Recruitment of host proteins (chaperones, translation factors)
 Organelle targeting (ER, chloroplast, mitochondria)
Week 10 Virus movement
 Cell-to-cell movement via plasmodesmata
 Requirement for movement proteins (MPs)
 Long-distance movement through phloem
Week 11 Plant antiviral defense mechanisms
 RNA silencing (PTGS and TGS)
 Small RNA pathways in plant biology
 Molecular mechanisms of plant antiviral immunity
Week 12 Viral suppressors of RNA silencing
 VSRs
 Viral counter-defense strategies
 Arms race between plants and viruses
Week 13 Research methodologies in plant virology
 Infectious clone and replicon
 Functional genomics tools
 Cellular and subcellular localization
Week 14 Applications of plant viruses in biotechnology
 Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS)
 Virus-induced overexpression (VIOX)
 Virus-induced genome editing (VIGE)
 Plant-derived biopharmaceuticals (molecular farming)
Week 15 Emerging plant viruses and future challenges
 Rapid diagnostics
 Broad-spectrum resistance
 Plant viruses in sustainable agriculture
Week 16 Final examination
self-directed
learning		    02.Viewing multimedia materials related to industry and academia.
Evaluation
one mid-term examination and one final examination
Textbook & other References
powerpoint files for each week will be posted on the web
Teaching Aids & Teacher's Website
Please go to the iLearning Center and download the handouts
Office Hours
Every Tuesday morning from 10:00 to 12:00.
Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs(Link URL)
include experience courses：N
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Update Date, year/month/day：2026/02/11 12:36:21 Printed Date, year/month/day：2026 / 3 / 11
The second-hand book website：http://www.myub.com.tw/