Molecular and Medical Microbiology

This subject is not offered in 2011.

B. Biomedicine students (2009 on):

B. Biomed. Sci. students (pre 2009):

http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

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.

• describe the fundamental concepts of the transfer of proteins across the bacterial cell wall and the regulation of protein expression
• 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, diagnoses, treated and/or prevented
• apply relevant knowledge of bacterial pathogenesis, immunity and epidemiology to the determination of appropriate strategies for developing new diagnostic protocols, treatments or vaccines

• 10 on-line quizzes (1 per week) (10%)
• A 1 hour written examination held mid-semester (20%)
• A 2 hour written examination held in the examination period (70%)

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

• 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

This subject is available to students enrolled in the:

Pre-2008 B. Sc
Pre-2008 B. Biomed. Sc. (Stream 7).
NG B. Sc.
NG B. Biomed