Advanced microbiology

motasem's picture
Course Code: 
424513
Course Outline: 





Course Syllabus
An Najah National University
Faculty of Graduate Studies – Master program in Biology
Course title and number Advanced microbiology BIOL 424513
Instructor(s) name(s) Dr. Motasem Almasri
Contact information motasemm@najah.edu
office : 14F1090
Semester and academic year Second semester. 2010/2011
Compulsory / Elective Compulsory Course
Prerequisites
General microbiology 24341
Course
Contents
(description) BIOL 424513 is an advanced microbiology course that will cover the mechanisms by which bacterial pathogens cause infections in humans. This course will not, however, make an attempt to cover every bacterial disease known to man or to describe in great detail the symptoms and treatment of each disease. Instead, the material covered will focus on the general mechanisms of virulence with examples from a select number of well-studied bacterial pathogens and will emphasize the interactions and interplay between these bacteria and their hosts. It is hoped that the student will come away with a general knowledge of the various strategies that bacteria use to survive and multiply within their host, and in turn, the strategies used by the host to fend off infections by bacterial pathogens. In addition, considerable time will be devoted to the means by which bacteria become resistant to antibiotics, methods of detecting resistance genes, and the latest findings on resistance or susceptibility specific to particular groups of bacteria. Understanding resistance mechanisms is the foundation for more rational design of new antibiotics that are themselves resistant to resistance mechanisms.
Course Objectives The course is designed to foster a comprehensive understanding of selected subjects like cell surface structures of prokaryotes, and typing techniques of pathogens. The course will also discuss in detail the pathogenesis and virulence factors of different microorganisms like Helicobacter pylori and Escherichia coli. The challenge of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus will be studied. There will be a study of isolation and characterization of toxins produced by certain bacteria. The course will also provide the students with basic concepts and understanding of mechanisms of resistance to certain antibiotics like aminoglycoside and β -Lactam.




Intended learning
Outcomes and
Competences
At the end of this course students will be able to
1. describe the structure of cell wall of different types of bacteria.
2. discus the different phenotypic and genotypic approaches for microbial typing.
3. describe the pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of infections such as those caused by Helicobacter pylori , methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Bordetella pertussis, and Escherichia coli.
4. Recognize the mechanisms of action and resistant to certain antibiotics such as aminoglycoside, and β -Lactam antibiotics.
5. understand, and present up to date microbiological problems independently.
Textbook and References
(Online Resources) Textbooks. The second edition of the textbooks entitled Advanced Techniques in Diagnostic Microbiology by Yi-Wei Tang, Charles W. Stratton and Bacterial Resistance to Antimicrobials by Richard G. Wax, Kim Lewis Abigail A. Salyers, Harry Taber will be the primary recommended reference textbooks for this course, and you will be responsible for the assigned material in it.
However, due to the ever-growing expansion of research in bacterial pathogenesis and resistance to antimicrobials, please keep in mind that there will be many concepts and discussions of materials and topics that are not presented in the textbook, but which will be covered in Clinical Microbiology Reviews.
Assignment Criterial Activity Percent (%)
Midterm Exams 40
Homework and presentation 10

Final Exam 50






Week
Subject

1 Cell Surface Structures of Bacteria and Cytoskeletal Elements of Mollicutes.
2 Application of molecular techniques to the study of hospital infection
3 Pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori Infection
4+5 Rapid screening and identification of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
6 Impact of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the hospital setting
7 MIDTERM EXAM 1

8 Isolation and characterisation of Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli strains from northern Palestine.
9 Shiga toxin-producing and other diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli
10 Epidemiological characterization of Bordetella pertussis
11+12 PCR and its variations

13 MIDTERM EXAM 2
14 Mechanisms of action of aminoglycoside and resistance
15 Resistance to β -Lactam antibiotics mediated by β-Lactamases
16 Final Exam

Program Outcomes:

1. Ability to understand the fundamental scientific concepts applicable to biology and Biotechnology
2. Ability to use the scientific method and academic background to perform laboratory experiments, evaluate laboratory data, and solve problems efficiently and accurately
3. Understand and apply basic concepts and skills in education, management, computer science, tissue culture and bioinformatics
4. The ability to share and communicate scientific concepts in the field of biology in oral and written manner using the English language
5. The ability to handle and deals with others in a professional manner.
6. The ability to keep pace with scientific development and the use of modern equipment and tools in the field of biology
7. Familiarity and a good knowledge of the laws of public safety and how to apply through his commitment and application during his study
8. The ability to work in groups to achieve common goals
9. Recognizing the need to self-development through continuing education in the field of postgraduate
10. Respect the ethics of the profession and working hard to preserve