10535 (v.4) Microbiology 331

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Area:	School of Biomedical Science
Contact Hours:	5.0
Credits:	50.0
Lecture:	1 x 2 Hours Weekly
Practical:	1 x 3 Hours Weekly
Prerequisite(s):	11600 (v.3) Microbiology 232 or any previous version
The molecular biology and pathogenesis of infectious diseases is one of the most rapidly expanding areas of knowledge. This unit examines viral, bacterial and protozoan pathogenesis at the molecular level and applications that improve diagnosis, treatment, epidemiological analysis, control and prevention of infectious diseases. A brief introduction to the molecular biology and biotechnology of prions, viroids, fungi, algae and protozoa. Some of the commercial applications arising from this knowledge include strategies for the development of antimicrobial agents and vaccines, cloning and expression vectors, biological control of insects and pests, strategies for studying oncogenesis and cell apoptosis and tools for diagnosing infectious agents and analysing the epidemiology of infectious diseases. Antimicrobial agents have become one our most important defences against microbial pathogens. Examination of the action and range of antimicrobial agents, the mechanisms of resistance, spread and epidemiology ofantimicrobial resistance genes and the urgency and approaches for finding antimicrobial agents. Many cutting edge techniques have been developed to study the molecular biology of microorganisms.
Year Location Period Internal Area External Central External 2003 Bentley Campus Full Year Y