Viruses are extremely simple and small yet they are responsible
for many of the world’s diseases. A virus particle consists of
only a genome, a protein coat or capsid, and sometimes a
surrounding lipid envelope. To replicate, a virus must
successfully enter a host cell, uncoat its genome, and
appropriate the host cell machinery to replicate its genome and
produce viral proteins. Part 1 of this lecture will discuss ways
in which viruses bind to the surface of host cells. Simian Virus
40 which binds to specific cell surface glycolipids, and Human
Papilloma Virus-16 which binds to sites on filoipodia, are
examples of different binding mechanisms. Attachment of viruses
to the plasma membrane activates cell signaling resulting in
endocytosis of the viral particles. This lecture is appropriate
for upper level undergraduate and graduate classes studying
virology or endocytosis. In the second lecture, the next steps
in viral infection are described. Endocytosis of plasma membrane
bound viruses can occur via a number