Virology is the branch of science that deals with the study of viruses and organisms that behave like viruses, such as prions and viroids. Researchers in this field can work with viruses that attack plants, animals, or bacteria, both in the lab and in the field. Many governments are investing heavily in virology to address public health concerns, and private pharmaceutical companies and research institutions are also interested in virology and its applications.
Main goals of virology
One of the main goals of virology is classification, in which viruses are studied to determine what they are and how they work. Classification can be used to determine that different viruses are related to each other and that therefore they may work in the same way or be vulnerable to the same antivirals. The ability to classify viruses also allows researchers to determine if a virus has been previously detected and to link the detected viruses to existing research and information.
Characteristics of viruses
Virologists are also concerned about the structure of viruses and how viruses work. Although viruses are not considered living organisms, they can be quite complex, and they have adapted a number of clever tricks, such as hijacking cells, causing them to reproduce the virus, or tricking the body into thinking that the viral agent is not an unwanted invader. Understanding how these organisms work can be an important part of developing methods that can be used to kill them.
Viral diseases resulting from viral infection are also of interest to virologists, along with modes of transmission and related topics. When virus outbreaks occur, researchers conduct research to determine where the virus came from, how to treat it, what the symptoms are, and how additional infections can be prevented. Virologists also track long-term trends, such as changes in viral DNA or changes in immunity levels in populations at risk of infection.
Treatment of viral diseases
Virologists are working to develop drugs that can be used to treat viral infections, and they are also developing vaccines in which small amounts of antigens are injected into the body to stimulate it to produce antibodies that will protect it in the event of a viral exposure. Some viruses remain relatively static, allowing researchers to rely on the same vaccine year after year, while others mutate and change rapidly, requiring the development of new vaccines and drugs so that the medical and virological community can stay ahead.
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