BI3BC7-Bacterial Pathogens

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites: BI1BD1 Introductory Microbiology or BI1S1 Introductory Microbiology and BI2BI45 Infectious Diseases or BI1P11 Introductory Microbiology or BI1P3 Introductory Microbiology (Pharmacy students only) and BI2BI5 Immunology
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: BI3BQ78 Bacterial Pathogens & Experimental Approaches
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Simon Clarke
Email: s.r.clarke@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
This module aims to provide students with an understanding of key factors involved in bacterial pathogenesis. Using selected examples of human and animal pathogens, both the disease and molecular basis of pathogenesis will be considered.

Aims:
This module aims to provide students with an understanding of key factors involved in bacterial pathogenesis. Using selected examples of human and animal pathogens, both the disease and molecular basis of pathogenesis will be considered.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the course students will be able to:
- Discuss the association of bacteria with the mammalian host
- Outline disease(s) caused by select bacterial pathogens, covering a wide variety of species and pathologies.
- Describe, at the molecular level, properties and the role of key factors in the pathogenesis of bacteria, using the above as examples.

Additional outcomes:
Students should improve their literature research skills.

Outline content:
A lecture series will cover the basic principles of bacterial pathogenesis at the molecular level. Association of bacteria with the host will be addressed. The role and properties of major virulence associated attributes (toxins, adhesins, factors involved in invasion of host cells, adaptation to the host environment and evasion of the host defence system) will be discussed in detail. Pathogenesis of important human and animal pathogens will be used as examples and approaches to vaccine devel opment discussed. The online tests will be administered on Blackboard and will examine students' understanding of the content of lectures and key, highlighted scientific review articles.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures and directed reading