BI3BQ78-Bacterial Pathogens & Experimental Approaches

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites: BI1S1 Introductory Microbiology and BI2BI45 Infectious Diseases
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: BI3BC7 Bacterial Pathogens
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Simon Clarke
Email: s.r.clarke@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of key factors involved in bacterial pathogenesis. Using selected examples of human and animal pathogens, both the disease and molecular basis of pathogenesis will be considered. This module will see students learn the advanced, modern techniques used by microbiologists to study pathogenic bacteria and to develop new strategies for prevention and treatment of disease.

Aims:

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of key factors involved in bacterial pathogenesis. Using selected examples of human and animal pathogens, both the disease and molecular basis of pathogenesis will be considered. This module will see students learn the advanced, modern techniques used by microbiologists to study pathogenic bacteria and to develop new strategies for prevention and treatment of disease.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the course students will be able to:
- Discuss the association of bacteria with the mammalian host
- Outline disease(s) caused by bacterial pathogens, covering a wide variety of species and pathologies.
- Describe, at the molecular level, properties and the role of key factors in the pathogenesis of bacteria, using the above as examples
- Discuss methods of prevention of bacterial disease (and their limitations).
- Describe advanced techniques used by microbiologists to study disease-causing bacteria
- Discuss strategies for developing novel prophylaxis and therapies.

Additional outcomes:
Students should improve their critical understanding of literature, oral and written presentation skills.

Outline content:
A lecture series will cover the basic principles of bacterial pathogenesis at the molecular level. Association of bacteria with the host will be addressed. The role and properties of major virulence associated attributes (toxins, adhesins, factors involved in invasion of host cells, adaptation to the host environment and evasion of the host defence system) will be discussed in detail. Pathogenesis of important human and animal pathogens will be used as examples and approaches to vaccine developm ent discussed. The second part of this module is a series of tutorials and student presentations involving guided reading and covering topics of current importance to bacterial pathogenesis and prophylaxis.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures and directed reading