Experimental Medical Microbiology: From Gene to Function in Pathogenic Bacteria
Course content
Antibiotic resistant bacterial pathogens represent one of the biggest threats to human health. Development of novel strategies to combat bacterial pathogens requires detailed knowledge on the molecular mechanisms used by these bacteria to cause disease and to resist antibiotic treatments. In this advanced experimental course, students will get hands-on experience with pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter jejuni, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The theoretical and experimental parts of the course are tightly linked, and in the exercises we will use state-of the-art techniques to study pathways of key importance to the virulence and evolution of these important pathogens. Topics covered in the exercises include: evolution via horizontal gene transfer (phages, natural transformation, and pathogenicity islands), phenotypic diversity of commensal bacteria, antibiotic resistance, cell-assays to study host-pathogen interactions, construction of genetically modified mutants using CRISPR/Cas9, quorum sensing, and virulence gene regulation.
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MSc Programme in Biology
MSc Programme in Biology with a minor subject
MSc Programme in Biotechnology
MSc Programme in Molecular Biomedicine
The aim of the course is to provide an understanding of the
genetic traits and the gene regulatory mechanisms that
are central for the ability of pathogenic bacteria to persist and
cause disease in a host. Emphasis will be on how advanced molecular
techniques can be used to answer research hypotheses relevant to
these topics.
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
Knowledge
- describe molecular mechanisms of importance for the virulence,
persistence, and evolution of pathogenic bacteria
- give a survey of how bacteria aquire new virulence traits
including resistance to antibiotics
-define molecular methods introduced in the practical course
Skills
-employ molecular methods introduced in the practical course
- design experiments to answer research hypothesis in the field of
pathogenic bacteria and interpret obtained results
-explain generally principles in virulence gene regulation and give
detailed examples here-off
-communicate scientific literature within the field of pathogenic
bacteria to specialists and non-specialists (both orally and in
writing)
Competences
-discuss and evaluate scientific experiments employing the
molecular techniques introduced during the course
-discuss what can be done to combat pathogenic bacteria (in general
terms)
Teaching will take the form of general introductory lectures, colloquia, and practical exercises. Primary literature forms the basis for the colloquia and will partly be presented by students. In the practical exercises the students will be guided through relevant molecular techniques used in scientific literature. Data collected from laboratory experiments are compiled into a reports that form the basis for the oral exam (see below for more details)
The following will be handed out at the course:
•Manual: from gene to function in pathogenic bacteria
•Protocols: from gene to function in pathogenic bacteria
•Scientific articles (research papers and reviews)
•Text-book chapters
•Slides from lectures
Open for credit transfer students apply here
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
-
Oral examination, 30 minutes
- Type of assessment details
- The oral examination will take its starting point in one of the 5 reports prepared during the course, but follow-up questions will cover the entire curriculum.
- Exam registration requirements
-
Participation in more than 80 % of the course activities and writing of the reports that form the basis for the evaluation of the course. The reports should include a theoretical introduction, the obtained results, a discussion , and answers to specific questions.
- Aid
- Only certain aids allowed
The reports form the basis for the oral examination, and should be brought to the exam.
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
Several internal examiners/co-examiners
- Re-exam
-
The procedures described above are followed also for the re-examinations.
If the requirement of written reports is not fulfilled, revised reports must be handed in and approved prior to the reexamination.
If the requirement of 80% attendance is not fulfilled, the student must take the course again the next year.
Criteria for exam assessment
To achieve the maximum grade of 12, the student shall be able
to:
Knowledge
- describe molecular mechanisms of importance for the virulence,
persistence, and evolution of pathogenic bacteria
- give a survey of how bacteria aquire new virulence traits
including resistance to antibiotics
-define molecular methods introduced in the practical course
Skills
- design experiments to answer research hypothesis in the field of
pathogenic bacteria and interpret obtained results
-explain generally principles in virulence gene regulation and give
detailed examples here-off
-communicate scientific literature within the field of pathogenic
bacteria to specialists
Competences
-discuss and evaluate scientific experiments employing the
molecular techniques introduced during the course
-discuss what can be done to combat pathogenic bacteria (in general
terms)
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 20
- Class Instruction
- 15
- Preparation
- 80
- Practical exercises
- 65
- Guidance
- 26
- English
- 206
Kursusinformation
- Language
- English
- Course number
- SBIK22001U
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Programme level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
-
1 block
- Placement
- Block 4
- Schedulegroup
-
A
- Capacity
- 25 participants
- Studyboard
- Study Board for the Biological Area
Contracting department
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Course Coordinator
- Dorte Frees (2-73754f82847d733d7a843d737a)
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