Viruses, news and microbiologists in today’s society

TORRES C.V.; SARTORI M.V.; GARCIA D.; ESCOBAR F.M.; ROVERA M.; DE LA BARRERA M.L.

Encuentro; IV Reunión Conjunta de Sociedades de Biología de La República Argentina; 2020

With the premise that scientific disclosure allows the link between science and society, providing knowledge to an audience that is clearly an essential actor in health prevention, our objective is to improve the skills of future professionals so that not only have knowledge of microbiology, particularly, virology but also that they can mobilize, transfer and make decisions in the field of scientific research, diagnosis, and characterization of viral agents, considering in all cases the social impact of this action. The present work proposal was mandatory for the subject Virology and Diagnostic Virology, of the fourth and fifth years of Microbiology (UNRC). In the first instance, we worked on scientific disclosure productions (2016–2018), a totally innovative experience for the subject, being outstanding, from the disciplinary and social aspects, the productions obtained, as well as during the development process of the same, the student bonding, engagement, and connection beyond the limits of the classroom. In the year 2019, we presented the PIIMEG work project Viruses are in the news, the pandemic generated by SARS CoV-2 in the present year, accelerated the objectives of work for the course Diagnostic Virology. Virological knowledge became vertiginous worldwide, manifesting itself in the news of all kinds and scientific publications, which led us to raise and debate about the content of the subject and recently published research, as proved to be the design of new diagnostic equipment to determine the circulation of the pandemic virus in the same experience of implementation. The results achieved in this context were extremely productive, the uncertainty of real-life was shared and the emergence of new virological knowledge to be treated in the subject. This allowed discussion of the subject, its validation, implementation of new diagnostic equipment, strengthening capacities through the design and implementation of solutions to the various specific problems triggered by the SARS CoV-2. Capacities that are expected of a microbiologist, especially in the exercise of their profession and that must be stimulated. In addition, the social and ethical commitment that should be manifested in their professional practice was strengthened and highlighted, through the evaluation of the various voices of international virologists. The evaluation focused on the processes carried out and the achievements of the activity, planned or not.