In the current scenario of COVID 19 pandemic, we are all desperately counting on an important category of people: Virologists!
Needless to say, they are the need of the hour at present.
So what exactly does a virologist do? We have already read that in previous session.
To reiterate, A virologist typically works in research or teaching, and many split their time between these two activities. A virology researcher works under a broad range of issues including emerging viruses, viral pathology, viral oncology, virotherapy, viral replication, virus-cell interactions, etc.
Researchers are employed by recognized laboratories/ universities, government agencies, or health organizations.
Some virologists also work as science writers or pursue additional training to work in pharmaceutical business or law. Virologists may work in industry research and develop new medications. Medical doctors whose focus is on virology may carry out clinical research or work with patients afflicted with viruses.
So how do you become a virologist?
Well, there are many institutes in India offering degree courses in Virology, which definitely opens the gate for many job opportunities across the globe.
M.Sc Virology:
This degree course gives a scope to study various topics like Vaccinology, Immunology, Biotechnology, the biology of infection and diagnostic virology. Varied areas are covered under this course such as viruses/virus-like agents, their structure, classification, evolution, mechanism of infection, causative diseases, isolation and culture techniques as well as their use in research and therapy.
The course is suitable for students interested in working in the biomedical field, and wishes to contribute to research by developing something new in this area. Students with B.Sc/B.tech or any equivalent degree in Life Sciences/Microbiology/Biochemistry/Zoology with minimum 50% marks are eligible to apply for this degree course. Some institutes/universities may additionally demand the students to clear an entrance examination for admission. Interested students are required to have skills like observation, communication, analysis, problem-solving, critical thinking, reasoning and, perseverance for pursuing this course.
Institutes offering M.Sc Virology degree course:
- Amity Institute of Virology & Immunology, Noida
- Manipal Institute of Virology, Karnataka
- Sri Venkateshwara University, Tirupati
- Savitri Bai Phule Pune University
Institutes offering PG Diploma in Clinical Virology and Immunology:
- National Institute of Virology, Pune, Maharashtra ( Min -2 years, Max – 3 years)
- Amity Institute of Virology & Immunology, Noida (1 year duration)
PhD in Virology:
PhD course in Virology enables students to learn how to conduct leading research in infection and immunity by undertaking a research project.
During the course, students gain practical laboratory experience in molecular virology, serology techniques, cell culture, and learn how to apply these in both basic science questions and to solve clinical problems. Students having a Postgraduate degree in any branch of Life Sciences/ Biological Sciences/ Biotechnology/ Microbiology/ Bioinformatics having at least 55% or equivalent Grade Point Average (GPA) are eligible for the course. Admission to their program will be on the basis of the candidate’s performance in the entrance examination; followed by personal interview.
Interested candidates should also have a valid Junior Research Fellowship from CSIR/UGC-NET/SLET/GATE/ICMR/DBT-INSPIRE with a valid score if they wish to avail fellowship while pursuing a PhD. However, this is a must requirement for application to recognized institutes.
Some of the institutes where students may pursue their PhD Virology course:
- ICMR National Institute of Virology, Pune
- Manipal Institute of Virology (MIV), Karnataka
- Amity Institute of Virology and Immunology
- National Institute of Immunology
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
- Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly
Virology is a rapidly-expanding area with discovery of many new viruses. Drastic changes in climate, society habits, and medical practice allows newly emerging and re-emerging viral diseases to spread, like the dramatic outbreaks of zoonotic virus infections (COVID, Ebola, MERS, SARS, Nipah, etc.)
Thus, it is essential to remain apprised of research advances along with the regular coursework.
Scientists and researchers across the world are working round the clock to fight the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which originated in the city of Wuhan in late 2019. The new strain of coronavirus has affected more than one million people globally.
While HIV dominated the headlines until a few years ago, currently people are more interested in influenza and other viruses like Ebola, Zika, SARS and SARS-CoV-2, the latest in the list. Recurrent cases of severe viral outbreaks with the latest one, COVID-19 going on right now, has put the emphasis on Virology.
What is Virology?
Virology is a branch of biology that deals with the study of viruses and viral diseases, from different perspectives such as physiology, molecular biology, epidemiology, ecology, evolution, etc. Virology is all about understanding viruses, the most diverse forms of life in the world.
Viruses have different routes of infection, ranging from insect bites to human behaviors. Scientists and researchers committed to studying these submicroscopic particles also vary in the way they are interested in the subject.
Virology has become one of the most important disciplines of biology that allowed scientists to not only find a cure but use them for pharmaceutical purposes, given its medical and veterinary significance.
Virologists
A person dealing with the study of viruses affecting insects, bacteria, fungi, plants, animals, and humans is known as a Virologist. Their job encompasses the identification of viruses, studying the growth and development of viruses, their ecological interactions, and their impact on other organisms. They also play an important role in public health by understanding the epidemiology of a viral outbreak which aids in making sound health policies.
How to become a virologist?
- At high school (10+2) level, you should have studied Biology, Physics, and chemistry. You could study Microbiology (along with Physics and Chemistry as Pass papers) at the undergraduate level. You could also pursue Biomedical Sciences, Biotechnology or MBBS at the Bachelor’s level.
- Masters in Microbiology, Medical Microbiology, Virology or Immunology can be pursued at the post-graduation level.
- For uppermost posts in the field, like a researcher, research director or a professor at a college/university, a doctoral degree, Ph.D. in Microbiology is desired.
Skills required to become a Virologist
- An inquisitive and analytical mind to interpret accurately a range of different tests and their results, and take a critical view on all investigations.
- Understanding of viruses, their transmission biology, evolution, epidemiology, and diagnostics.
- Molecular Biology skills like PCR, Assay Development, Cell Culture, handling laboratory equipment and tools, which may include: sterilizing equipment, analyzing equipment, infrared spectrometers, air samplers or collectors.
- IT and Software Skills are also a must for advancement in career as a virologist.
Career Opportunities
Positions for virologists are available in both government and private sectors. It is one of the most in-demand and secured job prospects. Those interested in research might also get a scope in such a position under the hottest research areas such as the study of emerging viruses like COVID 19, Ebola, Sin Nombre, and SARS and also Viral pathogenesis – to study how virus cause diseases.
Virologists may be hired by:
- agricultural research companies/centers to study plant viruses and their pathogenesis,
- hospitals,
- government/private laboratory centers,
- medical research centers,
- medical colleges,
- pharmaceutical/diagnostic companies,
- cancer/medical research companies.
The organization, job prospects, and job designation depend on the specific expertise and years of experience.
As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there will be a 10-20% increase in demand for virologists by 2022, but keeping in view the 2020 pandemic situation the percentage will definitely increase.
With a huge 27% increase in jobs for statisticians by 2022, Virologists who are well trained in statistics also should see excellent job demand.
With the emergence of new viruses every day and the requirement of research in the field, the job opportunities for virologists seems to increase with time.
Most of the work in this field is in the area of research and the hottest areas of research in virology include the study of emerging viruses like SARS, Ebola, Sin Nombre, viral pathogenesis, plant virology, etc. Virologists can have a quite good starting salary also in the field of public health.
Variable openings available in this field include (based on expertise and experience):
- Laboratory Technician
- Technical Assistant
- Research Fellow
- Research Associate
- Project Assistant
- Project Administrator / Manager
- Project Scientist B/C
- Scientific Officer
- Lecturer/ Professor
- Epidemiologists
- Statisticians
- Viral pathologist
- Plant virologist
- Scientific writers
- Public health professionals
- Environmental Scientists
If you put all the above points together, Virology is very challenging, exciting rewarding career path, something anyone interested in public health and research should consider.
The world is presently reeling under the threat of COVID-19, which has spread its tentacles everywhere in the form of a full-fledged pandemic. At this hour of time, our understanding of this virus, in fact, the entire viral community, its characteristics, ability to cause the infection, and awareness about its detection, treatment, and prevention is indispensable. In this grave scenario, people from different strata are reaching out to help each other.
As a Biotech educational institution, what Biotecnika can do to help you. We can teach you and bring awareness to you.
“Awareness is a key ingredient in success. If you have it, teach it, if you lack it, seek it.”
So here Biotecnika brings a certificate course on Virology + COVID-19
Viruses are the most abundant biological life forms on Earth and infect all living things, and yet they are not considered to be alive. The term virus was given by Pasteur, which is derived from the Latin word for poison. Virology refers to the study of viruses.
Viruses are believed to have appeared around the same time when life began on Earth, but their origin hypothesis is still under debate. It was in 1898 that the first viruses were discovered. It was identified by its ability to pass through filters that were very small to allow the passage of bacteria. Since that time, scientists are continually researching viruses to better understand how to prevent epidemics and pandemics, and research on viruses has given a plethora of information on how living systems work.
A virus is a small parasite that has several characteristics common with living organisms, except that they are incapable to reproduce independently and maintain their metabolic activities. Viruses do not undergo cell division but assemble newly made proteins and other components from scratch after gaining entry into a cell and its machinery.
Once a virus infects a susceptible cell, it can then direct the cell machinery to produce more viruses. Viruses have either RNA or DNA which may single- or double-stranded, as their genetic material. The entire infectious virus particle is known as a virion, which consists of the nucleic acid and an outer shell of protein. Viruses have different shapes and sizes, and they are categorized by their shapes as Helical eg: The tobacco mosaic virus which has a helix shape. It can be an Icosahedral which is near-spherical viruses while some viruses are enveloped. Enveloped viruses have a protective lipid envelope like the influenza virus and HIV.
Viruses cause many human diseases and can be transmitted from person to person, and from mother to child during pregnancy or delivery. They can spread through touch, saliva, coughing, or sneezing, contaminated food or water, sexual contact, insects that transmit them from one person to another. Some of the diseases caused by the virus are smallpox, the common cold, measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, hepatitis, herpes, polio, HIV among others. Viral infections can be prevented by either using vaccines or can be treated with antiviral drugs
COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by an evolved virus which leads to respiratory illness with symptoms such as a cough, fever, and in more severe cases, difficulty in breathing. As the virus is a novel one we are yet to find a cure or vaccine for it. So right now, prevention is the best cure available for us. Practice hygiene by washing hands frequently with soap, avoid touching face and eyes and follow social distancing.
As there is a continuous evolution of viruses that are causing pandemics this course will help in knowing more about viruses, their mode of action and recent approaches to contain their infection. Because a well-prepared mind is ready to fight any challenge even if it is a virus.
So, join us in this fight, and let’s take a pledge to defeat COVID-19.