Introduction to Microbiology and Immunology (PM316)
About This Course
Objectives
At the end of the course, the students will have a general understanding of the different types of disease-causing pathogens and how they try to evade the body’s immune system. The students will also have a basic understanding of the different ways in which the immune system fights microbial disease. They will also understand the basic concepts underlying many important health issues including AIDS, vaccines and the proper use of antibiotics.
Curriculum
34 Lessons
Week 1: Introduction to the Immune System
Introduction to the Immune System. Introduction, Cells of the immune system, Location of the immune system.
Introduction to the Immune System00:00:00
Week 2: Components of the Adaptive Immune System
What they are and how they work. Adaptive Immunity – An Overview, MHC proteins, Antigen Processing and Presentation, T Cell Development, T Cell Activation, Costimulatory Properties of Antigen-presenting Cells, Activation of T Helper Cells, Activation of Cytotoxic T Cells, B Cell Development, B Cell Activation, Antibodies, Antibody Structure, Antibody Synthesis, Structure and Function of Secreted Antibodies, Primary and Secondary Adaptive Immune Responses, Active and Passive Immunity.
Week 3: Immune Responses to Pathogens.
Introduction, Extracellular Bacterial Infections, Intracellular Bacterial Infections, Viral Infections, Responses to Protein Antigens (e.g., toxins). Course Content (continued):
Week 3: Unwanted Immune Responses.
Hypersensitivities, Graft Rejection.
Week 3: Disorders of the Immune System.
Autoimmunity, Immunodeficiency diseases, AIDS, Preventing and treating AIDS, Current Treatments for Persons with AIDS. Topic
Week 4 – 5: Antibodies as Tools in Medicine and Biology.
Medical uses of antibodies, Making monoclonal antibodies, ELISA, Blood typing, Immunofluorescence, Analyzing cells by FACS.
Week 6: Revision and Midterm Examination
Week 7 – 8: Introduction to Bacterial Diseases.
Introduction, Concepts and Terminology, The Normal Flora, Biofilms, Host Defense Mechanisms, Therapy and Prevention of Bacterial Diseases, Isolation and Identification of Bacterial Pathogens, Epidemiology and the Spread of Disease, An Introduction to Pathogenesis.
Week 9: Virulence Mechanisms of Pathogenic Bacteria.
Bacterial Adherence, Avoidance of Phagocytosis, Toxins, Intracellular Existence, Regulation of virulence genes. Bioterrorism.
Week 10 – 11: Viruses.
Molecular diversity, properties and pathogenicity. What is a Virus?, Why Study Viruses?, Virus Structure, The Virus Replication Cycle, Classification of Animal Viruses, Cultivating Animal Viruses in the Laboratory, Pathogenesis of Viral Infections, Vaccine Production.
Week 12 – 14: Specific Virus Families.
Picornavirus (Poliovirus) [structure, replication, pathogenesis, vaccines], Orthomyxovirus (Influ-enza) [structure, replication cycle, pathogenesis, antigenic variation, vaccines, antivirals], Retrovirus (HIV) [structure, replication cycle, pathogenesis, antigenic variation, vaccines, antivirals]
Week 14: Revision
Week 15: Finals
Free
Enrollment validity:
190 days
