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Eukaryotic Microbial Pathogenesis (MMI 773) Directors:
Date / Time: Tuesday & Thursday, 10:00 – 11:30 AM Location: Room 408 SMI Prequisites: Consent of Instructors, MMI 740 & Path 750 recommended. For instructor consent to register, please email Jay or Jon with your name, student ID number, and credentials relative to the course requirements. You'll be contacted by the MMI office when registration has been approved. Credits: 3 Abstract: This yearly course for graduate students focuses on basic biological (biochemical, molecular, and cellular) aspects and pathogenic mechanisms of eukaryotic microbial pathogens, emphasizing protozoan parasites and fungi. These organisms cause a wide variety of debilitating and lethal diseases in humans and other mammals. They display many distinctions from bacteria and viruses in features related to pathogenesis and infectious diseases, in part due to their phylogenetic similarity to their host organisms. Moreover, they also show biological differences from other eukaryotes such as the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and mammals. Both their basic biology and ability to infect and cause disease reveal unique evolutionarily adaptations that aid our understanding of how a microbe can exploit its host, and broaden our appreciation of the diversity of eukaryotic organisms. Parasites cause such diseases as malaria, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and toxoplasmosis. Parasitology has provided the first glimpse of eukaryotic biomolecular processes that have alternatively proven to be ubiquitous (such as glycosylphosphatidyl inositol membrane protein anchors), unusual (such as trans-splicing), or unique (such as RNA editing). Pathogenic fungi include Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Histoplasma capsulatum, and Pneumocystis carinii. These organisms run the range from a nonpathogenic lifestyle in the environment or as a commensal cohabitant with humans, to significant invasive and systemic infection, particularly in immunocompromised hosts. The goal of this course is to provide an overview and also in-depth investigation of selected biological and pathogenic mechanisms of parasites and fungi. These studies cannot be exhaustive due to the time constraints of the course, but will provide for eclectic examination of different mechanisms and different organisms. Format: This course will consist of a combination of lectures, critical readings of the primary literature, student presentations, and research seminars by invited speakers. Heavy emphasis will be placed on student participation. The Grade: 30% class participation, 40% class presentation(s) on assigned topic(s), 30% written minireview. Class Participation (30%): Students will be evaluated, particularly when papers are being discussed, on both the quantity and quality of their comments / questions. Therefore, it is highly advisable that students carefully consider all of the assigned readings. Class Presentation(s) (40%): Depending upon enrollment, each student will be responsible for one or two presentation(s) of (a) particular topic(s), grounded in the scientific literature. Each presentation will occupy a full class meeting or half a meeting, with two students presenting in a single class meeting for the latter case. The student will be responsible for introducing the topic and leading / guiding the discussion in class. An outline of the presentation and a list of assigned readings must be prepared for the course directors at least two week prior to the date of the presentation and assigned reading materials must be distributed one week prior to the presentation. Written Minireview (30%): After consultation with the course directors, each student will choose a topic different than the focus of her/his class presentation(s) and write a 7-10 – page (not counting references) minireview of the pertinent scientific literature, to be submitted by the last class meeting. As part of the review each student will propose two experiments (not to exceed 2 pages) that they believe will address central unanswered questions related to the topic. Class Schedule: Week 1 – Course Overview, Introduction to parasitology, ‘The Parasites’ Outside Speakers: In conjunction with MMI 900 (Journal Club/Seminar), which will focus on fungal and protozoan pathogen, the following guests will present Research Seminars:
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