An Introductory Exercise in Molecular Epidemiology: Investigating Human Rhinovirus Prevalence and Genetics in a University Population

Human rhinovirus (HRV) is the most common human respiratory pathogen and is responsible for most upper respiratory illnesses. Recently, a phylogeny was constructed from all known HRV sequences. From this study, three HRV classifications (HRVA, HRVB, and HRVC) were determined and techniques for classifying new isolates of HRV were reported. The genetic change of this virus in specific populations over time is of great interest. To facilitate the collections of HRV sequences over a number of years, a virology experiment was designed in which students test nasal samples from themselves and their classmates to look for HRV infection. Students will learn a variety of techniques including qPCR, sequencing, cDNA synthesis, RNA extraction and agarose gel electrophoresis as well as bioinformatic skills through examination of sequences from the HRV field isolates. Furthermore, students can look at symptom data from subjects to investigate correlations between high stress level or little sleep and symptom severity. Such information will be used to examine hypotheses regarding HRV mutation and long term epidemiology. Supported by NSF MRI 0521112.