SBIF10182U From Gene to Function in Pathogenic Bacteria

Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSc Programme in Biology-Biotechnology
Content
Infectious diseases remain one of the major threats to human health. Development of new antimicrobial drugs requires detailed knowledge on the molecular mechanisms exploited by pathogens to cause disease. In this course, students will obtain advanced knowledge on all aspects of biology that allow bacteria to cause infections in the host, including persistence in the environment, production of virulence factors and development of antibiotic resistance. The theoretical and experimental parts of the course will be tightly linked. 

In the practical course advanced molecular techniques will used to demonstrate key features of pathogenic bacteria. The practical exercises will include the topics: construction of genetically modified mutants to study the function of virulence genes, measuring of virulence gene expression, evolution of new pathogenic bacteria, identification of secreted virulence factors, cell-assays to study host-pathogen interactions.
Learning Outcome
The aim of the course is to provide an understanding of the genes 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 hypothesis relevant to these topics.

At the end of the course, the student is expected to 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)
SLEA10274U Food Microbiology or SBIF10141U Microbiology
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 report that should also include a theoretical introduction, a discussion of the obtained results, and answers to specific questions. This report forms the basis for the oral examination.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Colloquia
  • 10
  • Guidance
  • 26
  • Lectures
  • 10
  • Practical exercises
  • 60
  • Preparation
  • 50
  • Project work
  • 50
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination, 30 minutes
Data from laboratory experiments are compiled into individual reports. The reports should include a theoretical background, a discussion of the results, and answers to specific questions related to the sceientific papers introduced at the course. The report forms the basis for the individual oral examination.
Exam registration requirements
Participation in more than 80 % of the course activities and writing of the report that form the basis for the evaluation of the course.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
More than one internal examiner
Criteria for exam assesment
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)