Infection & Immunity A (Theory) III

This advanced course examines the molecular basis of interactions of microbial pathogens with their environment and various hosts, especially those which infect humans. Bacterial pathogens of global and medical significance that will be highlighted in detail include: Streptococcus pneumonia, Salmonella sp., Shigella sp., Staphylococcus sp., Mycobacterium; and Neisseria sp. Particular emphasis is given to the use of molecular biological approaches for study of bacterial infectious disease pathogenesis, and biotechnological applications, including vaccine development will also be highlighted. Topics to be explored include: bacterial pathogens - global significance of infectious disease; principal approaches for investigating host-pathogen interactions; the role of innate immunity and defence mechanisms; the microbiota; virulence factors which promote colonisation and damage to the host; cell surface polysaccharides and proteins; role of antigenic and phase variation in virulence and disease; gene regulation, especially in relation to expression of virulence factors; stress responses; invasion and intracellular survival and multiplication; resistance and avoidance of innate host defences; bacterial toxins; antibiotic resistance; vaccines and therapeutic interventions; genomic approaches to analysis of virulence; parasites including malaria and viruses. The lecture program is complemented by tutorials, which extend skills in exploring and critically assessing the scientific literature, and practicals which develop advanced experimental skills for the study of bacterial pathogenic mechanisms.