Leeuwenhoek Lecture: Virus-Host Cell Interactions

摘要: To-day’s lecture is the eighth of series founded to honour memory Anthony van Leeuwenhoek who rightly regarded as ‘father microbiology'. More than a century and half had elapse after Leeuwenhoek’s death in 1723 before virus was isolated. Many more years passed virology became established legitimate branch microbiology. Yet, for third time, be devoted consideration viruses. To some this may seem inappropriate but there are three reasons which me justify choice subject. First, is, today, probably most rapidly expanding field microbiological research; secondly, insatiable curiosity about creatures infinitely small would undoubtedly lead him into research were he still alive; thirdly, my own chief interests lie certain aspects virology. The question ‘What virus?’ has often been asked without so far being satisfactorily answered. I shall make no attempt at definition. For purposes present discussion term ‘virus’ will used widest possible sense embrace all those agents transmissible diseases which, valid reasons, cannot included various categories unicellular disease incitants, irrespective whether they highly organized like vaccinia or consist crystallizable protein tobacco mosaic virus. Whether any stricter limitation either desirable perhaps emerge course lecture. fundamental characteristic viruses their obligate cell parasitism. Those main types, animal, plant bacterial, differ several very important respects share, common, necessity entering intimate association with cells higher organisms order multiply survive. Clearly, therefore, elucidation host-parasite interactions cellular level must achieved we can understand fully diverse phenomena resulting from activities.