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Medical Microbiology: Bacteriology (MIIM30011)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1
Subject Coordinators
Dr Odilia Wijburg
Prof Roy Robins-Browne:
Administive Coordinator:
BiomedSci-AcademicServices@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject describes how bacteria have evolved specialized structures and proteins that allow them to adapt and survive in a range of environments. In particular this subject will examine the contribution of processes such as protein secretion and gene regulation to bacterial survival during infection of humans (pathogenesis). From an understanding of the molecular basis of host-pathogen interactions, students will be able to understand the diverse mechanisms bacteria use to cause disease, and how infectious diseases are spread. A range of medically important bacteria will be discussed, with an emphasis on their ecology, pathogenesis and the pathobiology of the disease. The subject will also describe techniques and strategies such as mutant construction and molecular cloning that are used to dissect microbial function, and cover applied aspects of medical microbiology, such as the diagnosis of infections and the mechanisms of the antibacterial action of and resistance to antimicrobial agents. Students should be able to apply this knowledge to the determination of strategies for prevention, control and recognition of disease, including the design of vaccines and other therapeutics.
Intended learning outcomes
Upon completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- explain the ways in which microbes interact with their hosts, the environment and each other
- describe some of the ways in which bacteria cause disease and how infectious diseases caused by bacteria are spread, diagnosed, treated and/or prevented
- describe the fundamental concepts of the transfer of proteins across the bacterial cell wall and the regulation of protein expression
- apply relevant knowledge of bacterial pathogenesis, immunity and epidemiology to the determination of appropriate strategies for developing new diagnostic protocols, treatments or vaccines
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:
- the capacity to integrate knowledge across disciplines
- the ability to comprehend a question, evaluate the relevant information and communicate an answer
- the ability to interpret scientific literature and interpret data from electronic databases
Last updated: 2 November 2024