MICRO 3007 - Infection & Immunity A (Theory) III

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2021

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.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MICRO 3007
    Course Infection & Immunity A (Theory) III
    Coordinating Unit School of Biological Sciences
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact 3 x 1 hour lectures per week, 1 x 2 hour tutorials/workshops per fortnight
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites MICRO 2500 or MICRO 2504 or equivalent
    Incompatible MICRO 3001, MICRO 3102
    Assessment Tutorials, problem solving questions, final exam
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Renato Morona

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    No information currently available.

    University Graduate Attributes

    No information currently available.

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    No information currently available.

    Workload

    No information currently available.

    Learning Activities Summary

    Week               Type of learning activity                                            Topic

    1                     Lectures                                                                    Bacteria-host interactions and innate defences

    2                     Lectures                                                                   Bacteria-host interactions and innate defences;
                                                                                                          Gut pathogens; Intracellular bacterial pathogens
     
                          Tutorial                                                                   Critical thinking and analysis of primary research papers related to                                                                                                      lecture material

    3                     Lectures                                                                   Intracellular bacterial pathogens
                                                                                                          Bacteria and subversion of host cell biology

    4                    Lectures                                                                     Cell surface polysaccharides
                                                                                                         Gene regulation and the host environment

                          Tutorial                                                                   Critical thinking and analysis of primary research papers related to                                                                                                      lecture material

    5                    Lectures                                                                    Antibiotics
                                                                                                         

    6                    Lectures                                                                     Vaccines
                          Tutorial                                                                   Critical thinking and analysis of primary research papers related to                                                                                                      lecture material

    7                   Lecture                                                                    Microbiota, Streptococus

    8                   Lectures                                                                    Stress responses

                        Tutorial                                                                     Critical thinking and analysis of primary research papers related to                                                                                                      lecture material, including problem solving questions workshop

    9                 Lectures                                                                       Mucosal, skin, and respiratory tract pathogens

    10               Lecture                                                                       Respiratory tract pathogens; Gene expression in vivo

                       Tutorial                                                                      Critical thinking and analysis of primary research papers related to                                                                                                      lecture material, including problem solving questions workshop

    11                Lecture                                                                     Parasites: Viruses

    12                Lecture                                                                      Parasites: Viruses and Malaria

    13                                                                                                 Problem solving questions assignment

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary

    No information currently available.

    Assessment Detail

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    Submission

    No information currently available.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

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