Molecular Pathogenesis

Catalog description

This course compares the molecular components that drive propagation of disease-causing agents, focused on bacteria and viruses. Specific attention is given to cell structures, cell surface molecules, biofilms, evasion of the immune response, and virulence factors (including toxins, extracellular versus intracellular survival, and pathogenicity islands). Primary literature forms the “textbook” for this course, providing students with professional skills in reading and interpreting scientific peer reviewed reports.