Techniques in Microbiology & Immunology

Subject MIIM30013 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

An enrolment quota of 80 students applies to this subject.

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 1 x one hour tutorials per week plus 1 x five hour practicals per week (which includes 4x1 hour lectures during semester).
Total Time Commitment: 120 hours
Prerequisites: B. Science students:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
B. Biomedicine students (2009 on):
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
B. Biomed. Sci. students (pre 2009) one subject from:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Corequisites: Corequisites subjects are:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
and,
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
OR the following:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
and,
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
and,
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Recommended Background Knowledge:

The prerequisite and corequisite subjects provide a solid background in Microbiology and Immunology. An understanding of the molecules, genes and biology of the cell would be useful.

Non Allowed Subjects: This subject is only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Biomedicine , the Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Biomedical Science.
This subject cannot be taken if students have gained credit for the following Bachelor of Biomedical Science and Bachelor of Science (pre-2010) subject:

Subject
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website:

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

Coordinator

Dr David Tribe, Dr Karena Waller, Dr Nicole La Gruta, Dr Sumone Chakravarti

Contact

Dr David Tribe
detribe@unimelb.edu.au

Dr Karena Waller
klwaller@unimelb.edu.au

Dr Nicole La Gruta
nllg@unimelb.edu.au

Administrative Coordinator:

Ms Chantelle Linnett
BiomedSci-AcademicServices@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject provides an overview of

(i) methods used to characterise the diversity of microbes, and particularly those used for pathogenic microbes, and

(ii) methods for dissection of the complex human and animal defences against microbial infection.

Techniques covered include molecular methods and functional assays used for the identification of bacteria and viruses, together with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA cloning and sequencing, gene expression following DNA transfection, and antigen detection using Western blots. Tissue culture cells will be infected and assayed for bacterial adherence, the preparation, characterisation, separation and assay of lymphocyte populations, detection of antigens in tissues by immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry and assay of immune responses by enzyme immunoassays. Upon completion of the subject students will have used molecular techniques (eg PCR, DNA sequencing, Western blot probing) to identify important characteristics of microbes, used common bioinformatics methods to analyse DNA and protein sequence data, as well as developed skills in the in-vitro manipulation and quantification of immune cells from various tissues. They will have experience in the detection and analysis of cell associated molecules by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry, and an understanding of the serological diagnosis of disease.

Objectives: Upon completion of this subject, students should be able to:
  • Describe the principles and procedures involved in the identification and characterisation of bacteria, based on principles of microbial physiology
  • Describe the use of molecular techniques to identify and characterise determinants associated with disease
  • Describe the principles and procedures involved in isolating and characterising immune cells and their products
  • Describe the purpose of controls in the interpretation of experimental data
  • Keep clear laboratory records of experimental work
  • Communicate scientific ideas and findings effectively in both oral and written form.
Assessment:
  • 1 x 2 hour end-of-semester exam (50%),
  • 2 oral presentations (mid-semester and end of semester, 5% each)
  • 2 written reports (to be submitted mid-semester and end of semester; up to 1,000 words each, 10% each report)

Ongoing assessment of laboratory participation and record keeping throughout the semester (20%). Attendance is compulsory. Students who miss more than 20% of this subject will not be eligible for final assessment.

Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: On completion of this subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:
  • An ability to retrieve published scientific data using computer searches and library facilities.
  • The capacity to integrate knowledge across disciplines.
  • An ability to critically analyse scientific data.
  • An ability to communicate effectively in both orally and in writing
Notes:

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

This subject is a practical subject and requires attendance at scheduled laboratory sessions.

Whilst students will not be involved in the manipulation and handling of animals, tissues obtained from appropriately euthanased animals will be used in some experiments.

These experiments will be approved by the University of Melbourne Animal Welfare Committee.

Experiments contained in this unit will also be approved by the Biosafety and Gene Technology Committee.

Related Course(s): Bachelor of Science
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Animal Disease Biotechnology (specialisation of Animal Health and Disease major)
Biomedical Biotechnology (specialisation of Biotechnology major)
Biotechnology (pre-2008 Bachelor of Science)
Defence and Disease
Immunology (pre-2008 Bachelor of Science)
Microbiology (pre-2008 Bachelor of Science)
Microbiology, Infection and Immunology
Science credit subjects* for pre-2008 BSc, BASc and combined degree science courses

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