Descriptions of six courses, of which at least three must be taken by trainees, are provided below. They are divided into three two-course tracks. Each of the courses provides a complete, in-depth analysis of a distinct subject area. In other words, the tracks are not designed as introductory and advanced courses that must be linked sequentially. Typically a student will take both courses in one track related most closely to their research interests and an additional course in another track, which is designed to insure training breadth within the field. Based upon a trainee’s background and career interests, s/he may prefer to take a single course in each of the three tracks for greatest breadth while still maintaining a focus in microbial pathogenesis and host responses. Since each of these courses provides rigorous instruction as a free-standing course, i.e., is not the introductory part of a two-course sequence, the program will be flexible in allowing this variation of one course in each track as a fulfillment of the didactic course requirement.
Pathogenesis
MMI 740, Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis, Course director Dillard, 3 credits.
Lecture/discussion format on host – bacterial pathogen relationships in infectious diseases. A written NIH-style proposal and study section review are major parts of the course. Topics include: host responses, pathogenic factors, overview of Gram-positive pathogens, overview of Gram-negative pathogens, tuberculosis, E. coli, Borrelia, Legionella, Pseudomonas, Clostridium, Neisseria, anthrax, obligate intracellular pathogens, emerging pathogens.
MMI 773, Eukaryotic Microbial Pathogenesis, Course directors Bangs, Woods, 3 credits.
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. The course format 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.
Virology
Bact 640, General Virology: Multiplication of Viruses, Course directors Ahlquist, Compton, McClain, 3 credits.
The course covers the structure, multiplication and genetics of bacterial, plant and animal viruses as well as host responses to viral infections. Highlighted are studies in which viruses were used as models for uncovering basic concepts in prokaryotic and eukaryotic molecular biology including the nature and synthesis of genetic information, the expression of genes (at the transcription, post-transcriptional processing, translation, and post-translational processing levels) as well as protein structure and function. The course uses primary literature as the basis for consideration of these topics.
MMI 750, Parasite-Host Interactions in Vertebrate Viral Disease, Course director Brandt, 3 credits.
The goal of this course is to explore the interactions between viruses and their hosts that result in pathogenic effects and disease. The topics listed below are discussed using a format involving an introductory lecture followed by student reading and in-class discussion of pertinent research papers. The papers to be read and discussed include classical papers establishing essential concepts and current papers that add detail to the topic under discussion. Grading is based on performance on four essay examinations (40% of the grade), on the preparation of a research proposal in the format of a National Research Service Award (NIH postdoc application, 40%), and on research paper presentations and participation in discussions (20%). The research proposals must not involve a virus being studied in the student’s thesis research. The research proposal grade will be determined by student peer and instructor review in a study section format. Topics include: entry into and spread in host, role of viral tropism in pathogenesis, direct mechanisms of cell injury (protein synthesis, transcription, cell cycle alteration, apoptosis), transformation (RNA viruses, DNA viruses, human cancer viruses), cytokine effects on viruses, immunopathologic mechanisms (innate functions, humoral functions, cell-mediated functions, complement-mediated functions, autoimmune functions), immune evasion/suppression, viral persistence/latency, genetic mechanisms in viral pathogenesis, prions.
Immunology
MMI 720, Topics in Immunology, Course director Gumperz, 3 credits.
An advanced graduate level course focusing on current questions in immunological research. The course is designed to explore selected topics in immunology, including genetic, cellular, and molecular features of the immune system that are fundamental to the regulation of immune responses. Through discussion of original research articles and exposure to research seminars, students will consider in detail how new results are changing or enlarging our understanding of immune system function.
MMI 790, Immunology of Infectious Disease, Course director Mansfield, 3 credits.
An advanced graduate level course that examines the interesting immunobiological relationships that develop between host and microbe during infection. Central aims of the course are to discuss current theories of immune recognition, activation, and regulation and to demonstrate how infectious disease organisms (bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic disease agents) modify these basic processes to their own advantage. The course also promotes an understanding of how the study of microbial immunity has led to major advances in our understanding of basic immunology and cell biology.
Responsible Conduct of Research
Each trainee must receive formal course training in this area. There are several options for fulfilling this requirement; trainees are expected to choose one of them. Approved courses include the following:
Oncology 675, Appropriate Conduct and Effective Communication of Science
Chem 901, Seminar in Scientific Ethics
Vet Med short course, Good Practices in Science: Research Ethics and Survival Skills
Human Oncology 721, The Conduct of Science
Nursing 802, Ethics and the Responsible Conduct of Research
Medical History and Bioethics 999, Advanced Independent Study
