BIOL 281 - Molecular Biology of Bacterial Pathogenesis

The vast and overwhelming majority of bacteria on this planet are incapable of causing diseases, and often disease-causing bacteria are closely related to non-pathogenic strains.  Furthermore, a non-pathogenic strain can be converted to a pathogenic strain through the acquisition of genes.  Students enrolled in this course will gain in-depth knowledge of the function and dissemination of genes involved in virulence and antibiotic resistance.  They will also learn about the non-pathogenic bacteria that inhabit the human body.  Topics covered include lateral gene transfer, mobile genetic elements, toxin production, and the human microbiome project.

Prerequisites:

Microbiology (Biol 109),    Genetics (Biol 118)

Anticipated Terms Offered: Fall 2013, bi-annually