Q16. Biomedical researchers discover that the novel virus is able to insert its genome into the human genome. They receive a grant to develop a drug that specifically inhibits this step of the viral life cycle, without affecting normal liver cell biology. Select a specific viral protein that could be targeted and inhibited by the drug. Explain why this protein is a suitable drug target. (2-3 sentences) (2 marks)

Q13. Which class of the Baltimore scheme do you predict the novel virus will belong to?

Q15. A longitudinal study conducted by Victorian hospitals finds that patients who have previously been infected with the novel virus have increased rates of liver cancer in the years following the infection. Which mechanism would be most consistent with cancer caused by this class of virus?

Q12. Nucleotide sequence similarity searches reveal that the blue genes in the pathogenicity island likely encode a unique fimbrial adhesin and the proteins required to assemble this adhesin. Many uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) strains encode two types of fimbrial adhesins (Pap and type 1 pili). In what way does this impact the virulence of UPEC?

Q11. Nucleotide sequence similarity searches confirm that the yellow genes in the pathogenicity island encode factors that are not normally found in E. coli. Experimental deletion of the yellow genes results in a diminished immune response in a mouse model of GPEC infection. The yellow genes most likely encode:

Q10. Nucleotide sequence analysis indicated that the pathogenicity island originated in the bacterial chromosome of Salmonella enterica. Explain how GPEC likely acquired the pathogenicity island. (2-3 sentences) (2 marks)

Q7. How would you classify the haemolytic phenotype of GPEC on HBA?

Q8. How would you classify the toxin responsible for GPEC’s haemolytic phenotype?

Q9. The clinical microbiologist uses a pure culture of GPEC to prepare a heat-fixed smear and performs a Gram stain. The microbiologist accidentally omitted the carbol fuchsin step when performing the Gram stain. What will the microbiologist observe when the Gram-stained GPEC cells are viewed with a light microscope? Select one option (A-F) and briefly justify your response. (1-2 sentences) (2 marks)

Q6. Examine the results in Figure 2.1. What conclusion can you reach?