BIO 815 Microbial Pathogenesis
MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS (3). Introduction of basic concepts of bacterium-host relationships. Examination of virulence factors that promote colonisation, survival of infecting microorganisms and virulence attributes that damage the host. Discussion of the origin of antibiotic resistance genes, their mechanisms of action, and how they are transferred between bacteria. Description of experimental approaches for investigating bacterium-host interrelationships, cultured cell lines and their application in studying microbial pathogenicity, animal model systems and measurements of virulence. The course concludes with a broad discussion on virulence factors and rational design of vaccines. Prerequisites: Microbial Genetics, Microbial Physiology or consent of instructor.