Description: Why are a majority of viral infections - influenza, SARS-CoV-2, even poliovirus - mild or seemingly asymptomatic? What do we understand about this phenomenon? After an overview of the immune system and its mechanisms of viral defense, we'll focus on innate immunity and early antiviral defenses. We'll also see how pathogenic viruses counteract our defenses. Participants will read and analyze historical and current research papers, including some on coronaviruses, and will see how advancing methods have deepened our knowledge of early antiviral defenses. We'll also read several examples of science reporting in general news sources to examine ways in which complex scientific/medical issues are/can be treated.
Instructor: Jerry Langer