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Episode 9: Hepatitis B, a Neat Little Virus | Spring 2008 - Lunch Hour Lectures
Episode 9 - Lunch Hour Lectures - Spring 2008
Hepatitis B, a Neat Little Virus
Amongst all human pathogens, the hepatitis B virus is one of the smallest known. The virus particle itself was first described in this Medical School nearly 40 years ago, although its existence had been surmised for much longer. Not only is the virus small in physical size, its genetic information is tiny, one thousandth of that in an average bacterium. It has a fascinatingly complex lifestyle that continues to yield insights into host parasite relationships and the way in which persistent infections by some viruses have evolved to confuse the immune system. This poses problems for vaccines and for antiviral drug therapy, a conundrum now far more intricate than ever imagined.
Prof Richard Tedder
Division of Infection and Immunity
Blood Borne Virus Unit
Centre for Infection HPA Colindale
For further information please visit:
UCL Division of Infection and Immunity
