260.627.01
Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections

Location
East Baltimore
Term
3rd Term
Department
Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
Credit(s)
4
Academic Year
2024 - 2025
Instruction Method
In-person
Class Time(s)
M, W, F, 10:30 - 11:50am
Auditors Allowed
Yes, with instructor consent
Available to Undergraduate
Yes
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Kimberly Davis
Contact Name
Kimberly Davis
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Prerequisite
Description
Presents the mechanisms employed by bacteria to establish and maintain infection in the human host and evolution of host resistance mechanisms. Focuses on: bacterial structure, colonization and adhesins; bacterial secretion systems; bacterial toxins; the microbiome in health and disease; vector-borne diseases, antibiotic resistance, innate immunity, and adaptive immunity/bacterial vaccines. Covers a different topic in bacterial pathogenesis research each week: the first class each week is a lecture introducing the topic, the second class each week introduces the topic from a clinical perspective by describing clinical presentations and case studies, and the third class each week discusses primary literature and methods typically used to study the topic. Includes any methods that are specific to a given topic.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Analyze unique features of bacterial cells compared with eukaryotic cells, and the structure/function and metabolism of the bacterial cell needed for understanding the molecular basis of bacterial pathogenesis
  2. Assess how bacteria mediate genetic exchanges and the genetic strategies used to dissect bacterial virulence factors, and molecular Koch postulates for verifying the role of a given gene in bacterial pathogenesis
  3. Define the pathogenic mechanisms bacteria use to cause disease
  4. Define how antibiotics work and how bacteria develop two types of resistances to antibiotics and the role of persisters in relapse of persistent bacterial infections
  5. Define the importance of microbiome in human health and diseases
  6. Define host immune mechanisms in controlling bacterial infections and how vaccine works
  7. Assess methods of diagnosis and treatment of major select bacterial pathogens
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
  • 6% Group Work
  • 6% Written Assignment(s)
  • 44% Midterm
  • 44% Final Exam
Instructor Consent
No consent required
Special Comments

Required for MMI students.