BIOL5370 - Host-Pathogen Interactions

BIOL 5370 Host-Pathogen Interactions (3 semester credit hours) The course covers infectious diseases in the context of pathogen evolution, host cell properties, and immune responses. Emphasis is given to the theme that microorganisms co-evolve with their hosts and ecological and evolutionary associations determine the dynamic nature of symbiosis (mutualism, commensalism, parasitism). It reflects on the different properties of example bacterial and viral pathogens and describes their virulence and pathogenicity by incorporating mechanistic aspects of horizontal gene transfer, the mode of action of bacterial toxins, manipulation of host cell functions, and impact of microbial metabolites on host physiology. The course also explores studies in the field of microbial genomics, human microbiome, probiotics, and applications of functional genomics and proteomics platforms to molecular microbiology and infectious diseases research, particularly for the development of antimicrobial drugs, vaccines, and molecular diagnostics. Department consent required. (3-0) Y