How can we control viruses that make us sick?
Meet the Virus Investigators—a team of scientists at the John W. and Jeanne M. Rowe Center for Research in Virology who study how viruses replicate and evolve so that we can better control them! In the resources below, you’ll learn about these scientists and their lab, discover why their research matters in real life, and try out an activity. Take notes as you explore!
Learn Why Research Matters
The Jeanne M. Rowe Center for Research in Virology studies viruses in order to control them. In the following video, you’ll learn about why they research this through a real-world story about a virus that went totally out of control. (Viewer warning: this video references COVID-19-related deaths, and the footage contains reenactments of treatments).
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Questions to Consider:
Adam had a lot of questions after learning about COVID-19. What did you think or feel about the virus when you first learned about it? What new ways did it cause you to behave?
To help control viruses that make people sick, first we need to understand virus parts and how they work. What do you already know about viruses? What questions do you still have?
“Science has just done so much. When you start to open up your mind to some of the things that we have been capable of in history, it’s quite amazing.”
Meet The Scientists
There are 4 cards to read.
Paul Ahlquist
Principal Investigator
I lead the John W. and Jeanne M. Rowe Center for Research in Virology at the Morgridge Institute. We work on understanding viruses, viral diseases, and related biology to develop more effective antiviral controls.
Nuruddin Unchwaniwala
Postdoctoral Research Associate
I modify and use specialized microscopes to understand how viruses make new copies of their genetic material.
Megan Bracken
Senior Research Specialist
I look at how the Hepatitis B virus tries to counteract the immune system.
Andrea Rebolledo Viveros
Assistant Research Specialist
I work on understanding the structure and formation of a virus replication protein. Once we understand this, we may be able to use that information to find broad antiviral targets!
You are a student scientist!
Create your own card. Add info all about you!
Ask questions!
Being a scientist means asking new questions and learning new things. Click through the topics below to ask questions of the scientists at the John W. and Jeanne M. Rowe Center for Research in Virology and learn about their research.
Click on a tab above to begin.
What is your lab and what do you study there?
What is a virus and how do they work?
How can you see things that are so small?
What are the different types of microscopes you use?
What excites you most about microscope technology?
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Do Science!
Science Practices Activity
Now put what you’ve learned into practice! Nuruddin is searching for a virus that has infected a cell. Can you help him track it down and find where it stored the instructions for making copies of itself?
Project Credits
Producers
Ryan Hendricks
Coordinating Producer
Mia Forslund
Videography
Ryan Hendricks
Video Editor
Ryan Hendricks
Web Design
Charles Barrows
Web Development
John Vieth
Tim Schneider
Graphic and Motion Design
Jen Hadley
Amanda Roslansky
Charles Barrows
Brian Lorbiecki
Video Captioning
Catie Pfeifer
Vicki Way Kipp
University of Wisconsin-Madison Cultural Linguistic Services
Science Education Consultant
Wesley Marner II, PhD, MIR
Educator Guide and Activities
Mia Forslund
Johan den Boon, PhD
Ryan Hendricks
Jen Hadley
Nuruddin Unchwaniwala, PhD
Scientists
Paul Ahlquist, PhD
Johan den Boon, PhD
Nuruddin Unchwaniwala, PhD
Megan Bracken
Andrea Rebolledo Viveros
Hong Zahn, PhD
Project Partners
Morgridge Institute for
Research
Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
Wisconsin Institute for Discovery
John W. and Jeanne M. Rowe Center for Research in Virology
Executive Producer
Megan Monday
Director of Education
Alyssa Tsagong
Director of Television
Jon Miskowski
Educator Cohort
Joy Aragones
The Prairie School
Wind Point, WI
Kathy Biernat
Notre Dame School of Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI
Jessica Buckley
Wedgewood Park Middle School
Milwaukee, WI
Lisa Graf
Merrill Middle School
Oshkosh, WI
Aimee Spahos
Waunakee Intermediate School
Waunakee, WI
Emily Watton
West Allis Central High School
West Allis, WI
Funding Provided By
Timothy William Trout Education Fund
a gift of Monroe and Sandra Trout
Focus Fund for Education
Friends of PBS Wisconsin
Single Step Foundation