Department of Biology & Biochemistry, Unit Catalogue 2009/10 |
BB30063: Microbial pathogenicity |
 Credits:
| 6 |
| Level:
| Honours |
| Period: | Semester 1 |
| Assessment:
| EX 100% |
| Supplementary Assessment: | Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites:
| |
| Description: | Aims: To introduce principles of microbial pathogenicity (of humans), with particular regard to the roles of the cell envelope and bacterial toxins. To present detailed aspects of the physiological and biochemical processes involved. Learning Outcomes: After taking this course the student should be able to: * describe and explain a range of physiological properties and biochemical mechanisms, in relation to microbial pathogenicity towards humans. Skills: Learning and studying T/F/A, Written communication T/F/A, Information handling & retrieval T/F/A, Working independently T/F. Content: Introduction to microbial pathogenicity; iron transport and the bacterial cell membrane; the mechanisms of cell adhesion; bacterial biofilms - their nature, formation and involvement in health problems; an introduction to bacterial toxins and their role in disease; structural properties and detection of toxins; cell envelope structural components and their role in vaccine development; E. coli HO157, an important 'new' pathogen; AIDS. |