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BB40139: Pathogenesis and immune evasion by microbes

[Page last updated: 15 October 2020]

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2020/1
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Biology & Biochemistry
Further information on credits Credits: 6      [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 120
Further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Semester 1
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: EX 100%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Examination (EX 100%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites: Before taking this module you are advised to take BB20027 OR take BB20202 OR take BB20203
Description: Aims:
To outline current understanding of the interactions between the immune systems of vertebrates and microbes.

Learning Outcomes:
After taking this course the student should be able to:
* give a detailed oral presentation describing and explaining an example of a host-pathogen relationship;
* discuss a wide variety of aspects of pathogenic mechanisms and host defences to pathogens;
* discuss how such interactions affect the evolution of virulence.

Skills:
Learning and studying T/F/A, Written communication T/F/A, Oral communication T/F/A, Information handling & retrieval T/F/A, Working independently T/F.

Content:
This lecture course will consist of a brief review of vertebrate immunity to infection, followed by specific case studies where the interactions that occur between a named pathogen and its host will be presented (e.g. how a pathogen causes disease, how the host protects itself and how the pathogen evade this host immunity). The final lecture will take the example of Staphylococcus aureus (the MRSA superbug) and will discuss disease management and how this is likely to influence the future evolution of the pathogen.
In their seminars the students will be asked to present a named pathogen and discuss the following: its disease, how the host protects itself from it, how the pathogen can evade this immunity, how the disease is usually managed and what effect this may have on the future evolution of the pathogen.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

BB40139 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Biology & Biochemistry
  • USBB-AFB02 : BSc(Hons) Biochemistry (Year 3)
  • USBB-AKB06 : BSc(Hons) Biochemistry with Professional Placement (Year 4)
  • USBB-AFB03 : BSc(Hons) Biology (Year 3)
  • USBB-AKB07 : BSc(Hons) Biology with Professional Placement (Year 4)
  • UXXX-AFB11 : BSc(Hons) Biomedical Sciences (Year 3)
  • UXXX-AKB11 : BSc(Hons) Biomedical Sciences with Professional Placement (Year 4)
  • USBB-AKB08 : BSc(Hons) Molecular and Cellular Biology with Professional Placement (Year 4)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2020/21 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2021/22 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2020/21.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.