Description: The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and its devastating impact on humans have led to an unparalleled global surge in SARS-CoV-2-related research. Within a few months, an ever-increasing number of studies have flooded the web, and this trend is ongoing. In this mini course we will read and discuss current literature and, when relevant, earlier studies that explored human responses to viruses. Topics will include COVID-19 disease features; how the virus enters cells; host-immune responses; how the virus might infect and affect the nervous system; mechanisms by which the virus might trigger thrombosis; the generation of animal models and some preliminary data generated using these models. Students will be required to present assigned papers and participate in class discussions. Students will gain an understanding of how the virus affects humans while gaining experience in reading, presenting, and evaluating primary literature.
Instructor: Beatrice Haimovich