Virology studies viruses, prions, and viroids that can attack plants, animals, and bacteria. Virologists classify viruses, study their structure and function, and develop drugs and vaccines to treat viral infections. They also monitor viral diseases and outbreaks to prevent further infections.
Virology is a branch of science that focuses on the study of viruses and organisms that behave like viruses, such as prions and viroids. Researchers in this field may work with viruses that attack plants, animals or bacteria, conducting research both in the laboratory and in the field. Many governments invest heavily in virology to address public health issues, and private pharmaceutical companies and research institutes are also interested in virology and its applications.
One of the primary goals of virology is classification, where viruses are studied to determine what they are and how they work. The classification can be used to determine that various viruses are related to each other and may therefore function in the same way or be vulnerable to the same antiviral drugs. Being able to classify viruses also allows researchers to determine if the virus has been seen before and to link the viruses they find with existing studies and information.
Virologists are also concerned with the structure of viruses and the way viruses work. While not considered living organisms, viruses can be quite complex and have adapted a number of clever tricks, such as hijacking cells and making them reproduce the virus or tricking the body into thinking that a 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 eradicate them.
Viral diseases, the outcome of 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 comes from, how it can be treated, what the symptoms are, and how to prevent further infections. Virologists also monitor long-term trends, such as changes in viral DNA or alterations in immunity levels in populations at risk of infection.
Virologists work on developing drugs that can be used in the treatment of viral infections, and they also develop vaccines, in which small amounts of antigens are introduced into the body to stimulate it to produce antibodies that will defend it against viral exposure. Some viruses remain relatively static, allowing researchers to rely on the same vaccine year after year, while others rapidly mutate and change, requiring new vaccines and drugs to be developed so that the medical and virology community can keep up.
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