Virology Program

Virology Program

Virus isolation and identification course

The course aims at giving a solid foundation in virus isolation in mammalian tissue culture. It is intended to help medical health workers in virus isolation laboratories. It will also work as preparation for further students in a post graduate’s programme in virology or related topics.


The focus will be on understanding central principles and fundamental mechanisms for the replication, isolation and identification of viruses on mammalian continuous cell lines. A main theme of the course is to understand aseptic handling techniques as an experimental discipline and to appreciate how knowledge in the field is based on experimental evidence, which leads to establishing the knowledge of virology research as one of the main CONCEPTS OF VISION 2030.
The course will use a well-written textbook as a reference.

Studies of the book will be facilitated and complemented by a series of lectures and practical seminars. Practical training on virus isolation methods and illustrations of some theoretical concepts will be obtained in laboratory and computer exercises. The examination will be based both on a written exam at the end of the course and on seminars throughout the course.

By completion of this course, participant should be able to:
1- Understand basic concepts on virus replication cycles, growth curves and different identification methods
2- Identify the Good laboratory practices (GLP) inside a virus isolation laboratory
3- Understand the basic concepts of virus titration using haemagglutination assay.
4- Understand how to properly handle and transport clinical and viral isolates specimens.

By the end of the course, learners should be able to understand the concept of:
1- Understand and discuss freely about the purpose, types and concept of cell culture
2- Identify the Good laboratory practices (GLP) inside a tissue culture laboratory
3- Capable of perform cell thawing, cell splitting and cell reviving.

Basic University training in Biological and Medical Sciences