September 15, 2009 (Vol. 29, No. 16)
URL:
http://virology-online.com/index.html
Rating:
Strong Points: Nice introduction to virology
Weak Points: Bland appearance, lack of links/additional resources
Summary:
Don’t be fooled by the stark appearance of this website (and don’t get too distracted by the pulsating orb—virus particle?—that appears at the top of the homepage). Wong’s Virology offers much more than it initially appears, including background information on virology topics like viral replication, viral immunology, and vaccines. The Individual Viruses page is teeming with information about, well, individual viruses (go figure). Containing information about 31 separate viruses/groups of viruses, this page is a great resource if you’re looking to brush up on, say, adenoviruses or hantaviruses. As Dr. Wong, a medical virologist, is “extensively involved” in teaching virology, there are also study tools like complete PowerPoint slide presentations (though without accompanying notes) and practice exam questions and answers. For any student of virology, and anybody wishing to become one, this site presents basic virology information that is both accessible and interesting.