Virus Questions

1995

Paper I:

No questions.

Paper III:

"What features of viruses and plasmids make the useful cloning vectors,
and how have these features been exploited?"

" 'Although viruses exploit host-cell biochemistry, there are many
examples where viral gene expression uses apparently novel mechanisms.'
Discuss this statement with reference to specific examples."

1996

Paper I:

"Outline the theory of quasi-equivalence as applied to virus
structure.  Using specific examples, discuss whether you think recently
resolved structures support this theory."

Paper III:

"You have just isolated a new DNA virus with a genome of about 10kbp.  How
would you characterise the genetic organisation of the virus?"

"Give an account of the life cycles of two different bacteriophages and
explain how these viruses have been exploited by molecular biologists."

1997

Paper I:

No questions.

Paper III:

No questions.
1998

Paper I:

No questions.

Paper III:

No questions.

1999

Paper I:

No questions.

Paper III:

"Illustrate the use of viruses as vectors in molecular biology with
reference to two eukaryotic viruses and two prokaryotic viruses.  What are
the advantages and disadvantages of using the viruses you have chosen?"

"Compare the mechanisms of genetic transposition, retroviral integration,
and immunoglobulin gene rearrangement.  Briefly indicate the experimental
approaches that have been used to elucidate these mechanisms."

2000

Paper I:

No questions.

Paper III:

"Give an account of reverse transcription and integration in
retroviruses.  How can these processes be exploited analytically and
therapeutically?"