Infection biology
BIO-477 / 5 credits
Teacher:
Language: English
Remark: pas donné en 2024-25
Summary
Infectious diseases (ID) are still a major problem to human health. But how do pathogens make us sick? How do they evolve and spread? The discovery and use of antibiotics and vaccination has changed the outcome of some IDs. But resistance mechanisms have evolved and are of major concern.
Content
- Impact of infectious diseases (pandemics, epidemics)
- Evolution of pathogens and horizontal gene transfer
- Bacterial infections (intra vs. extracellular bacteria)
- Virulence factors inclduing toxins and secretion systems
- Identification of virulence factors using molecular approaches
- Diarrheal diseases
- Respiratory diseases
- Viral infections
- Symbiosis
- Human microbiota
- Vaccines
- Antimicrobials
- Eukaryotic pathogens including pathogenic fungi
- Bioethical aspects of ID research
Keywords
Infection Biology; bacterial pathogens; viruses; eukaryotic pathogens; antibiotics and resistance mechanisms; virulence factors; global impact of infectious diseases.
Learning Prerequisites
Required courses
An Introductory Microbiology course is a prerequisite.
Exchange students will only be accepted after presentation of a certificate indicating that they have followed a basic microbiology course.
Recommended courses
Basic microbiology (prerequisite), immunology, basic cell biology, and genetics and genomics.
Important concepts to start the course
Basic microbiology; knowledge of prokaryotic specialities (ribosomes, cell wall etc).
Teaching methods
Ex cathedra + discussion of relevant publications + exercises
Expected student activities
Participating students are expected to engage in this course by attending lectures, reading additional material, understanding and presenting recent state-of-the-art publications, and completing exercises.
Assessment methods
Written exam
Supervision
Others | Moodle webpage (EPFL-SV-Master Infection Biology; BIO-477) |
Resources
Bibliography
- "Bacterial pathogenesis: a molecular approach / Brenda A. Wilson ... [et al.]. Year:2011. ISBN:978-1-55581-418-2
- "Microbiology: an evolving science / Joan L. Slonczewski, John W. Foster. Year:2011. ISBN:978-0-393-11824-7
- "Principles of virology" / S.J. Flint ... [et al.]. Year:2009. ISBN:978-1-55581-443-4
Ressources en bibliothèque
- Microbiology: an evolving science / Joan L. Slonczewski, John W. Foster.
- Bacterial pathogenesis: a molecular approach / Brenda A. Wilson ... [et al.]
- Principles of virology" / S.J. Flint ... [et al.]
Moodle Link
In the programs
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Written (summer session)
- Subject examined: Infection biology
- Lecture: 3 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Type: optional
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Written (summer session)
- Subject examined: Infection biology
- Lecture: 3 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Type: optional
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Written (summer session)
- Subject examined: Infection biology
- Lecture: 3 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Type: optional
Reference week
Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | |
8-9 | |||||
9-10 | |||||
10-11 | |||||
11-12 | |||||
12-13 | |||||
13-14 | |||||
14-15 | |||||
15-16 | |||||
16-17 | |||||
17-18 | |||||
18-19 | |||||
19-20 | |||||
20-21 | |||||
21-22 |
Légendes:
Lecture
Exercise, TP
Project, labs, other