Virology Lectures 2021 #1: What is a Virus?

For the first lecture of my 2021 Columbia University virology course, we define viruses, discuss their discovery and fundamental properties, including whether or not they are alive, and explain why they are the most amazing and intriguing biological entities on Earth. As we enter the second year of the 2020 Pandemic, there is no better time to learn about viruses!
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- Who Am I? -
I’m Vincent Racaniello, Earth’s Virology Professor.
I’m also a professor of virology at Columbia University in New York. I’ve been doing research on viruses since 1976, and teaching virology in classrooms and online since 1999. On this KZbin channel I share videos of my lectures, podcasts, and more.
New videos are uploaded multiple days a week.
I don’t monetize my videos because it’s disruptive to learning. If you would like to support our work, go over to www.microbe.tv...
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#virology #viruses #coronavirus #pandemic
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[@jaf7765]

Vincent! I am so excited to take this course. I became interested in virology when I discovered your podcast on KZbin last year and have been watching ever since. I am not a scientist but I love the discipline and I am eager to learn. I am 75 years old but I feel like a kid in a candy shop every time I watch your podcast, let the excitement begin. Thank you.

[@jukker95]

Hi, I am not a scientist, 60 years old and feel exactly the same way!!

[@M1984FA]

@DonaldJ Maybe you should wear a hazmat suit around the clock, avoid all human contact and eat only sterelized junk food. Your life will be miserable and short, but you avoid the evil Corona virus.

[@velvetpaws999]

@DonaldJ Hmmmm Donald.... very informative! So you are saying we should always launder all our money.... hmmmm... our dirty money, that is! Well, where have I heard that thing before???

[@nychillboy8724]

@DonaldJ viruses are not alive while NOT in a host cell.

[@aamirrazak3467]

Agreed I have a scientific background but am not a scientist, and I find virology so fascinating! Dr. Racaniello is a great teacher

[@herdfedsfre]

As someone who continues their education outside of universities(trade worker who hasn't gone to college) these courses are invaluable. I just want to thank any professor or professional who publishes their teachings online or in book form. Your knowledge is reaching people even if it doesn't seem like it is. Please keep up the amazing work, thank you.

[@Galv140577]

virology is 100% antiscientific made up nonsense used to inject lethal poison into people

[@louiseclifford5184]

Thank you Vincent, love the lecture. I am a registered nurse in Australia and am a senior citizen (76) years old. I am still working and am getting myself ready for the big Covid 19 immunisation rollout as I am an accredited immuniser. When I started nursing we trained in the hospital so I don’t have any university degrees etc. I have recently come across the Twiv talks and love them but occasionally some of the content is above my head so to speak but I am very excited about the lectures on virology that you are doing. I have just introduced my nursing friend and colleague who is the same age as me and she is still working as well. This is all probably a bit irrelevant but thought you might like to know that you are doing a great job and you are reaching us outside the USA. Keep up the good work.

[@louiseclifford5184]

@ybv mel thank you for your kind words, I don’t think a degree always represent the person’s knowledge. You have obtained your knowledge from a lifelong learning in college of life, if that makes any sense. It’s like when you pass your drivers license test and you start driving on your own, that’s when you really learn to drive. Good on you for wanting to help others, I think that is a very noble thing to do and helping others is good for your soul and good for humanity. Good luck and best wishes.

[@SevtapThurston]

@TheIrishYogi So nice to here your new journey I hope it brings you joy and harmony. Best wishes 🙂

[@gloriannepapolis6525]

76 and still working in nursing, that is awesome!!! I will stop.complaining at 58. Lol

[@normaebennettrn9055]

VIRUS...BACTERIA.....NOT DIFFERENT?

[@benmarandi3632]

I took the 2020 course. It was absolutely fascinating. I took the course 20 years ago. So much has been changed. Thank you so much, Vincent for creating this opportunity for us to learn.

[@jellicle_kitten]

"Even though they've caused enormous devastation, they're amazing" - big Ollivander vibes here ))) Thank you for your work!

[@janaemeloloya7623]

Thank you from Kansas. What a perfect end to the day. I got my 1st Moderna vaccine today. My 7 yr old listened with me and asked appropriate questions. We are faithful listeners. Thank you for reducing the crazy in this world. I am 55 and became a nurse in 1984.

[@jzk3919]

Moderna wass just withdrawn in Switzerland (etal)...home of Sanofi (etal.)

[@MedicineRunner]

Doing my M.S. in medical sciences and your previous lectures on virology helped a lot. I get something from all of your videos. Now you need to start a series on teaching professors how to lecture and be tech savvy in the pandemic era of academia. I know it’s asking a lot but at this point I’m convinced you’re from a different realm and you don’t require sleep.

[@JogBird]

yay, the 2021 edition is out

[@badddkattt]

And a _deal_ at only $171! www.amazon.com/Principles-Virology-Multi-ASM-Books-dp-1683670329/dp/1683670329/ref=dp_ob_title_bk#customerReviews Old timer who abandoned biology as an undergrad who is actually thinking about buying it since the 4th edition seems to be holding its value pretty well. Thinking. About. It.

[@eeriepicnic]

YAY!

[@clairelee7264]

Yaay

[@junviatorlifeingermany1836]

17:12 - did someone yawn or was it the looper? Lamo. Alright, I am going back to the lecture.

[@chinamatt]

Came here from Lex Fridman podcast with Vincent. Glad i did! The 100 million light years statistics was mind boggling, I had to do the calculation myself to believe it. I found that for phages 200nm long, 10^30 phages would stretch 20 million light years! The closest galaxy is only 25000 light years away, and the nearest galaxy cluster is only 11 million light years away. 🤯🤯

[@AckermannHans]

Thank you so much Dear Professor for your very kind attempt on publishing free online courses on Virology. May the force be with you.

[@jree78]

I went to Wayne State University 24 years ago, and took an Intro to Biology class and got a good grade but it was a lot of work understanding things. Later Ivy League schools but classes up on KZbin or Itunes and you could see the noticeable difference in quality and it always fascinates me. If I had Calculus explanations on KZbin like they do now I would have had a much easier time in those classes at the time.

[@pked9]

..... biology , what math?...intro to bio SMH ..., bio 1 , 5 units state UN......5 unit Anotomy --- see pre med 5 unit (BS/RN ) vs RN AA 3 unit ( do not do this one)..... now paying for medical school is the problem, do not take student loans...work as nurse and upgrade lic...

[@karl9460]

I did not think you would really do this, not this year.... You are the special one.

[@apocalypsesioux]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge from this mobile viral/bacterial/fungal subtrate.....

[@energyexecs]

...Thank you Vincent Racaniello. I was studying to be a Biology Teacher in the 1970s but ran out of money and just received a simple Degree in BioScience. However, I had great professors who also emphasized the "integrated" concept that you mentioned in your video. In those days, the Biology Degree was "integrated" with "ecology" and also other "hard sciences" such as Microbiology, Genetics, Chemistry, Advanced Bio, along with Electives in Soils Science, Botony, Ornithology, Ag Science, et al. It's refreshing to hear about "integrative" approach.

[@rtnjo6936]

Whos here after Lex?) Thanks for this channel sir!

[@TheSuzberry]

I’m a subscriber to your channel. My college major was English. I know so little about science that it can be measured on a scale with the rabies virus. But this lecture was fascinating. I hope I can keep up with your viewers who actually understand science. But, so far, this is a marvelous hour

[@retrovintagething7013]

" if you want to understand everything about all diseases & human health you must know about viruses"

[@rbilleaud]

Took a microbiology lab back in college many moons ago. It was pretty fascinating stuff. One exercise we did was on the transmission of bacteria (although I'm sure it could be applied to viruses as well). The instructor took a swab and applied a sample of some harmless bacteria to a piece of candy, then gave everyone in class a piece of candy, but only one had the bacteria. We were then given a petri dish divided into 4 sections. We were to roll our candies in our hands and then take a swab of our plams and apply that to one section of the dish. We were to then shake hands with the people on either side of us, taking a swab of our palm after each handshake and applying that to different sections of the dish, then finally shake hands with someone across the room. By examining the dishes after they'd incubated overnight, we were shown how we could figure out who "patient zero" was and how the microbe spread amongst the students. Pretty fascinating (and sobering for a bunch of hyper-sexually active young men and women). Guess who patient zero was?

[@JagVama]

Just started my viral journey! One word - WOW! Vincent.....you are a rock star of virology! I watch twiv and immune regularly.....especially for the past one year....thank you Sir! Namaste 🙏

[@deanerhockings-reptilianhu8701]

Thank you Vincent for this refresher. I started listening to your lectures early last year when the pandemic was just starting - really looking forward to cementing that knowledge. They're such a crazy phenomenon.

[@that1guy186]

Thank You Vincent You Are Very Appreciated...

[@pinwheelart2825]

People who gift their knowledge to the world are special individuals.💖 Gracias.🖖🏽

[@Penguinzcanfly]

Round 2 of lectures here we go!

[@MIzhan-zx4oi]

Hey Vincent! Just wanted you to know that a vet student form Pakistan is watching your videos. Kudos to you!!!!!

[@arthunter92]

I watched last year’s lectures twice and this year’s once and while I found them utterly fascinating I’m left knowing I know absolutely nothing about virology...

[@emom358]

I have been listening to your podcasts since 2018, and your virus lecture from January 2020. Following the path of COVID-19 practically in real time was amazing. Please keep up the wonderful work you do. I have an ancient BA in Political Science, ended up as a machinist in manufacturing, but I will never give up learning things both new and old. My love to you and the TWIV team.

[@dinahu.s.a.2663]

Thank you Professor Vincent Racaniello for such an interesting scientific lecture. I wish I had a similar course when I was studying at university. Now I understand why you love studying viruses, as they are fascinating and alot of research is needed to reduce or forecast the occurance of novel ones that can cause future pandemics.

[@t.c.s.7724]

Sir, this is a wonderful service you are providing. Thank you.

[@jillmondt5398]

Thank you Vince for gifting us with this education with your valuable time.

[@lflee]

This means I know you for a year. Thanks, Vincent!

[@mjk6618]

@5:58 "More viruses in a liter of Coastal Sea Water than there are People on Earth...!" Truly Amazing! "The More You Know!"

[@carolineliddy634]

Another Irish fan of all things twiv. Thank you for the refresher course.

[@Msv-js1dm]

Understanding=knowledge =power Thank you!

[@simonruszczak5563]

Misinformation = ignorance = death. F*** you!

[@sachintiwari2020]

Welcome 🤗 back sir with a new edition for 2021... Keep going 👍 sir!

[@citrixman]

I am just a regular guy who really appreciates your lecture ! I found this very informative and I enjoyed all the content. If everyone watched this one video, so much nonsense would be avoided! Thank you sir!

[@HubertHeller]

Which definition of "obligate" (adjective) are you using for the definition of a virus? 1: restricted to one particularly characteristic mode of life 2: biologically essential for survival

[@coastwalker101]

Back again to enjoy Vincent's great course. Perhaps I will remember it all this time :-)

[@luisfernando-mm3jt]

Been following your passion for virus since 2017 way before Sars cov 2...Pleaae continue your excelent work don't listen to critics stay safe... Luis

[@Lavinalife08]

Saya senang bisa menemukan Chanel ini, Terimakasih banyak untuk ilmunya. Salam dari Indonesia 🇮🇩

[@binkwillans5138]

First class lecture. Friendly and well-illustrated.Virologically, I'm a layman, but I understood every word here.

[@JohnM51982]

How amazing that we live in a time in history that this information is available for free and to all. We must continue to fight for a world in which this is available to all.

[@jrdelamancha9360]

Misinformation!!!!!!

[@Lancet75]

Thanks, professor Racaniello for this great wonderfully didactic course.

[@priscillamurphy4870]

Thrilled to start the course, professor. This time I'll be following along with my 4th edition PDF, and I'm aiming to ace the quizzes. Thank you very much for sharing this amazing course.

[@brokenfingers98]

Is that a 4th edition pdf of "The principles of Virology"? presumably volume 1? Or is there a pdf for this set of lectures? I am just trying to find these quizzes you mention. Thanks kindly

[@wboyle9721]

Fantastic episode Vincent thanks for your lesson it is first class information best wishes from Glasgow scotland

[@nidakalam2293]

@Prof. Vincent very informative articles and videos. I am getting all the help for my PhD project from your and Dr.Amy published work!!! Thanks for uploading broadly explained videos on viruses.

[@israelramos7441]

Hi professor!!! By the way, i think you should talk about enveloped and non enveloped viruses and how they get the envelope. Thank you a lot!!!

[@rodjacob1000]

I took the 2020 version and now doing the 2021 refresher course! Excellent course. Thanks for making this available Vincent Racaniello.

[@mkilptrick]

From my calculation we have enough viruses to go across the Milky Way about 1000 times

[@gladissemensato2061]

Professor Vincent thanks for this classes.

[@cab5917]

Fascinating, thank you.

[@roylawson7250]

I'm glad he puts his lectures online ,it makes me what to actually go to college ,thank you vincent

[@jonroads8281]

Excellent, I shall enjoy this course!

[@MarkLeonTanner]

Thank you so much Vincent for sharing you knowledge with us... I too am tired of all the ridiculous headlines, and false beliefs...

[@bakerfresh]

Thanks for some good subscription links...

[@GrahamTodd-ca]

It sounds like you want this virus course to go viral.

[@smlorrin]

Good one!

[@DonMayfield]

They have goals?

[@pked9]

@@DonMayfield ....computer pro did not see, last years 26 lectures Virology 2020 ,... my assay test says your no pro...

[@marg716]

😂

[@daniella2929]

Wow! So refreshing. Tuned in to that lecture 100%. You are amazing. I didn't even know I needed this lecture.

[@elianagross9507]

I’ve been listening to your podcast and KZbin channel this year to hold me over until I can finally take my first high school microbiology course in 2 yrs! Virology and Microbiology are my favorite topic and listening to this is an incredibly opportunity! Thank you so much!

[@nicoledigruber8965]

brilliant, I really enjoyed last years lecture too. I am especially intrigued how viruses contribute to biogeochemical cycling...

[@aliazfar8622]

SIR ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU ABOUT VIRUSES. MAY YOU LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO TEACH US ABOUT VIROLOGY. THANKS FOR MAKING US AWARE ABOUT VIRUSES.💕💕💕💕

[@JackyRogue]

Thanks for uploading this!

[@familiegeier4828]

Excellent summary! Excellent introduction!

[@johnbouttell5827]

Dear Vincent, that was a wonderful first lecture. You're better than David Attenborough. Keep up the good work. John

[@biologosporlaciencia]

Thank you for your amazing lectures! Everyone should watch them. It would be amazing if we could add subtitles in different languages.

[@karl9460]

thank you so much for doing this Vinny.

[@adibbehroozitv6447]

This is going to be my test to see how well I know this discipline. I have been researching Viruses for 6 years. Thank you looking forward to building my knowledge with your experience and knowledge. Thanks and be safe

[@allolp]

How have you studied viruses for 6 years and not figuered out they dont exist yet. Its a fraud, the isolation technique doesnt prove anything.

[@amiracoleene561]

Thank u so much, i love viruses to,actually i study phyto-viruses ❤

[@pked9]

myco , mycelium, phyto...etc..

[@luxlibertas9457]

very informative rudimentary discourse on viruses, lots of basic information in a succinct lecture. finally, something helpful from Columbia ;-)

[@xrach2006x]

Thanks for this Vincent, gonna try and watch this course every week

[@arthunter92]

Loved last years course that much I’m back again for more...

[@gaurav7384]

So great sir Thank you very much for wonderful Lectures You are the God of virology ❤️❤️❤️❤️👍👍

[@lnc-to4ku]

Looking forward to watching this whole podcast! Love this man!

[@VanityNutrition]

If you can, join the live virology class (here on KZbin) Mon and Weds mornings at 11AM (NY time)

[@rebeccafagan2927]

Thank you so much, I loved this

[@janetaylor8437]

Yay thank you for teaching us. I am here to learn.

[@tomscerbo1588]

Dr Vincent: the Italian stallion of medicine!

[@tryingforever5700]

Thank you professor I love these public courses

[@bernoulli9047]

Both audio and video quality are fantastic. Thank you!

[@TheButterflyGirl7]

Thank you so much for this wonderful information. I recently discovered all of your podcasts and find them so invaluable. I love learningAnd I appreciate all of the extra work you are doing to provide this to us

[@markonfilms]

Amazing start to the 2021 course! Thank you professor Racaniello!

[@henrysaizofficial]

I just discovered this video and your channel, amazing! i always wanted to understand viruses and im definitely closer after watching this, thank you SO much professor! Cheers from Spain

[@tomshahriari6602]

Brilliant. Thank you for your time and effort. Had I been exposed (no pun intended) to virology 50 years ago, I would have chosen it as my field of study and done something useful. Instead, I became a lawyer. What a shame.

[@henkvandergaast3948]

Another series to share from Vincent!

[@user-wc7em8kf9d]

Thank you soooo much for making this content avaible.

[@smlorrin]

Wonderful! Thank you!

[@AliAli-sh4bq]

Thank you Vincent for these crystal clear lectures. Much appreciated. Everyone should have some basic understanding of virology.

[@stangdriver8]

I've been listening to TWIV since early last year and have been yearning for an opportunity like this. I signed up, went to the room '"VIRUS", only to reach a pulsating waiting for the next activity to begin? Do I have to be here at a certain time? Can I catch up? TIA

[@toby9999]

Same for me. I guess I'm in the wrong time zone to catch the class room.

[@Michael-on4ti]

Fascinating stuff, keep these lectures coming please

[@alanrobertson9413]

THANK YOU, Vincent! I learned so much from your course. The content, teaching, presentation, and slides are all top-shelf. I have a non-medical science background, but found it very approachable. I was especially encouraged by the hopeful possibilities for using custom viruses to cure dreaded diseases such as cancer that you describe in the final lecture. You really sparked my interest. Now I'm following up with Brianne Baker's Immunology course.

[@nicoledemellofiallos8404]

Your lectures were my lifesaver of the virology course i was taken! Thank you so much

[@Fahmbo]

Fantastic, captivating lecture. Thank you Professor Vince!

[@Th3ForgottenOne]

Fantastic video profesor, thanks for your patience and support!

[@georgecharnely2147]

Wow, Vincent! This is very interesting and I definitely will keep watching, I'm Still a student (age 12) and I absolutely love science I had just finished my biology topic and heard of virology during it and thought I'd try learning abit

[@davehurdification]

I am excited and grateful that you offer this course for free! I took the course at coursera back in 2013 and you had a nice lab assistant with cool tattoos. I want to take it again to cement some knowledge. I forgot much of it from then!

[@sonicdeviant]

CMV is not as ubiquitous as you implied, which is why we transfuse neonates with CMV= cells. Also, I believe the WIV theory of origin for CoV-2 is no longer considered implausible, which is why FB stopped censoring people who talk about it.

[@kangre63]

Thank you Vincent! I just found your site. I am so excited to take your course. I am a retired family physician. I have been looking for education such as you are providing. It is perfect! A million thanks 🙏 Reet

[@jovitavillalpando9127]

Absolutamente interesante! Keep up the good work it’s a joy to listen to this!

[@alliew3144]

Vincent, i’ve been binge watching these. i love it

[@MarianoAguilarVela]

Thank you for this! I have learned a lot from each lecture. I will transmit all my learnings to future scientists.

[@isabelkassum]

I just started college and I loved listening to your podcast back in middle and highschool!! You’re so cool and I love learning more about virology!!

[@NamesIWantAreInvalid]

are different COVID symptoms then caused by a difference in your immune system? For example, do Immunosuppressant individuals have more severe symptoms?

[@00mysunrise00]

Vincent, this lecture is amazing! Thank you for making it available for everyone. I also just got Principles of virology as a birthday gift, I am so excited to use it as an extra source for your lectures!