Microbiology

Full course description

The 7 weeks course will be divided into 4 parts:

Bacteriology (3 weeks): 

Introduction in bacteriology. General principles of replication, classification and identification of bacteria will be adressed. Presence of bacteria in humans, animals and plants and composition of the endogenous flora will be discussed. These items will be discussed in an introduction lecture, expert meeting and 2 obligatory practical sessions.

Bacterial infections, including adhesion, virulence, biofilms and antimicrobial resistance:  This part will be discussed in a lecture and in PBL tutorial meetings. The acquisition  of antimicrobial resistance and the epidemiology of worldwide antimicrobial resistance will be discussed. In addition, new approaches for treatment of antimicrobial resistant bacteria, such as phage therapy, will be discussed

Virology (2 weeks):

Introduction in virology. General principals of replication, classification and pathogenesis of viruses and classes antivirals  will be discussed in the introduction lecture.

Viral infections: The second part will consist of 2 topics and will be discussed in PBL approach. Topics to be discussed are influenza and HIV. The unique characteristics of the structure of these viruses and its importance for epidemiology. The lecture on epidemiology and outbreaks will also focus on outbreaks of virla pathogens and highlight the difference with outbreak of bacterial pathogens

The host response to infection, and prevention of infection by vaccination will be discussed in a lectureand during the PBL sessions.

Epidemiology of infectious diseases and outbreak management (1 week)

Introduction in epidemiology of infectious disease. General principals of transmission, latency and infectiveness will be discussed  in a lecture and during PBL sessions.

The basic principles of outbreak management, the use of epidemic curves of disease for outbreak management  and prevention of the spread of infectious diseases will be the focus of a lecture and PBL sessions.

Environmental and Applied Microbiology  (1 week)

Introduction in the role of microbes in the environment. The role of microbes in biogeochemical cyles, such as the carbon and nitrogen cylces, in the environment and adaptation to the environment, as well as the use of micro-organisms as biosensors, in food-production, waste treatment and bioremediation will be discussed in a lecture and and during PBL sessions.