Required Courses in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology 2007-8
Required of all PMCB students:
Con 650 The Practice and Ethics of
Science
Con 661 Structure and Function of Bio Molecules
Con 662 Genetic Mechanisms
Laboratory Rotations, three terms
Required of MMI students:
MBIM 607 Department Seminar Series,
every term.
MBIM 605 One of several journal clubs, every term.
MMI Elective Courses (Students are expected to take courses related to their thesis topic, with consultation of their advisor and committee):
MBIM 611* Advanced Microbial Pathogenesis (4 credits, alternate
years beginning spring 2008) Scott Wong.
MBIM 612* Advanced Immunology (4 credits, alternate
years beginning spring 2008) Mark Slifka
MBIM 608 Advanced Virology (4 credits, alternate years beginning spring 2009) Dr. D. Johnson.
MBIM 614 Advanced Molecular Genetics (4 credits,
alternate years beginning spring 2009) Jorge Crosa
*The prerequisite for MBIM 611 and MBIM 612 is:
MBIM 610 Introduction to Immunology, or
equivalent undergraduate course (2 credits, winter term, yearly)
Mary Stenzel-Poore
A normal course load is 12 to 16 credit hours per term.
Students are required to maintain a 3.0 grade point average to avoid academic
probation. The regulations governing probation and other graduate program
regulations and guidelines are published in the Graduate
Studies Handbook.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Advanced Virology (MBIM 608): 5 credits, spring term, alternate years beginning 2009, Dr. A. Moses, Dr. D. Johnson.
This course covers molecular biology and immunology of eukaryotic viruses.
Particular emphasis is placed on structure, transcription and replication,
entry, assembly and egress, latency, and oncogenesis.
Introduction to
Immunology (MBIM 610): 2 credits, winter term 2007-8, Dr.
M. Stenzel-Poore.
This introductory course will provide students with an overview of how
the immune system works and the special vocabulary and experimental systems
that describe it. Reading and discussion of the textbook (Immunology by
Janeway, et al, 5th Edition) with study questions and occasional experimental
papers. The course is designed for two kinds of students; those specializing
in other areas who want to learn enough immunology to gain access to the
experimental literature and those with a particular interest in immunology
as preparation for the Advanced Immunology course.
Advanced Microbial Pathogenesis (MBIM 611) : 4 credit, Spring term, alternate years beginning 2008. Dr. S Wong.
Through a combination of introductory lectures and reading and discussion
of assigned research papers, the course examines in depth the basic principals
of microbial pathogenesis. It uses well characterized systems in virology,
bacteriology and parasitology to illustrate the concepts of colonization,
tissue tropism, toxicity, evasion of the immune response, persistence,
latency and vaccine development, among others. A basic knowledge
of molecular biology is required; Introduction to Immunology (or equivalent
approved by course director) is required.
Advanced Immunology
(MBIM 612): 4 credits, Spring term, alternate years beginning
2008. Dr. M. Slifka.
This course is intended for students who have had Introduction
to Immunology or equivalent.
The intention is to cover, in some depth, important concepts and some
current issues in basic molecular and cellular immunology. The course
will be primarily literature based, supplemented as necessary with lectures,
review articles and textbook material. Students are expected to read the
assigned material and to discuss questions in the class. The course is
taught by a small number of faculty, each of whom covers one area. Because
the areas covered are chosen to reflect the areas of major active research
in immunology, the actual topics may vary from year to year. Recent areas
covered include: T cell activation and the immune synapse, NK receptors
and related molecules and the expanding family of MHC class I like ligands;
T and B cell development; T and B cell memory; toll-like receptors; T
cell trafficking.
Advanced Molecular Genetics (MBIM 614): 5 credits, Spring term, alternate years beginning 2009. Dr.
J. Crosa.
The course consists of interactive lectures given by Dr. Crosa and his
colleagues as well as student presentations and discussions. Each student
will prepare a grant proposal throughout the quarter from an assigned
abstract of a recent publication. The written proposals and reviews will
be part of the final exam.
The lectures and presentations will include:
•
Concepts and Tools in Bacterial and Bacteriophage Genetics
•
DNA recombination; Transposition ; DNA replication
•
Cell division and partition of DNA molecules
There will also be applications of these concepts to specific subjects
such as: Type III secretion systems and effectors in bacterial virulence;
Energy-mediated iron transport; Search of regulatory genes using
transcriptomes, proteomes, and sub-proteomes; Gene expression
control by small sense and antisense RNAs and other topical subjects.
Prerequisites: CON 662 and an interview with the Course Director, Dr. Jorge H. Crosa is a pre-requisite.