Molecular Basis of Microbial Pathogenesis
Course Description / Assignments
GS07 0092
Course Description / Presentation Assignments
MicPath Articles - January
MicPath Articles - February
MicPath Articles - March
Faculty
GS07 0092 - Molecular Basis of Microbial Pathogenesis
The purpose of this course is to provide cutting-edge information on selected topics in microbial pathogenesis, including molecular mechanisms and emergent technologies. The Microbial Pathogenesis course will be based primarily on student and faculty presentations and discussion of recent scientific articles. The list of articles for each block of the course will be available on the course web site in advance. The class will be held in the MMG conference room (MSB 1.500) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-2 PM unless otherwise noted in the schedule.
This yearly, two-unit course is available for credit to all graduate students in the Houston Area Consortium (UT Health Science Center-Houston, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, University of Houston, and Rice University). Prerequisites include previous coursework in microbiology and a basic knowledge of molecular biology techniques. Please contact Dr. Norris to obtain specific information regarding the registration process.
This course is intended to be a highly interactive review of current literature on topics in microbial pathogenesis. Students will be evaluated on three criteria:paper presentations (50%), class participation (20%), and a “Mini-grant” (30%). In each class period the presenter will lead a discussion of the assigned paper and should be familiar with both the paper and relevant background information.
The presentations will be done in a round-table format (no PowerPoint!)
Iit is critical that all students have read each paper thoroughly. Each student will lead the discussion five times during the semester.
The mini-grant is intended to develop writing and critical thinking skills. Students will chose a topic relevant to microbial pathogenesis outside their own area of research, develop a hypothesis based on current knowledge in the field, and describe research methods, expected outcomes, and alternative approaches to address this hypothesis. These mini-grants should be 8-10 pages; Dr. Lorenz will describe the appropriate format in class #2. Students are encouraged to discuss their topic, hypothesis and specific aims with any of the faculty. However, by Feb. 7th students are required to select a primary advisor and a set of Specific Aims. On Feb. 14 and 19, each student will have 30 minutes to present the background, significance, and specific aims for their proposal. Discussions can help to revise the aims. The proposal is due on March 20th (email to Steven.J.Norris@uth.tmc.edu). The faculty will review these proposals (on March 26th) and provide a written critique and initial score. Revised grants are due on April 24th.
Please direct questions to Steve Norris (Steven.J.Norris@uth.tmc.edu or 713-500-5338).
Course Schedule (Subject to Revision)
The papers for January are at this site. Details of reading materials past January are under preparation.
Date Topic Presenter Instructor
January 8 What is a pathogen? Norris Norris
January 10 Grant-writing guidelines Lorenz Lorenz
January 15 Eukaryotic pathogenesis Chowdhury Lorenz
January 17 “ Garza Lorenz
January 22 “ Tsanova Lorenz
January 24 “ Verghese Lorenz
January 29 Adhesins/Intracellularity Höök/Xu Höök/Xu
January 31 “ Wang Höök/Xu
February 5 “ Chowdhury Höök/Xu
February 7 “ Specific Aims Selected Garza Höök/Xu
February 12 “ Tsanova Höök/Xu
February 14 Student Presentations – Mini Grant Specific Aims (in MSB 1.180) Faculty
February 19 Student Presentations – Mini Grant Specific Aims (in MSB 1.180) Faculty
February 21 Host model systems and host/pathogen interactions Verghese Garsin
February 26 “ Wang Garsin
February 28 “ Chowdhury Garsin
March 4 “ Garza Garsin
March 6 Secretion and pathogenesis Tsanova Christie
March 10-14 Spring break
March 18 Secretion and pathogenesis Verghese Christie
March 20 “ MiniGrant Due Wang Christie
March 25 “ Chowdhury Christie
March 27 “ Garza Christie
April 1 Toxins Tsanova Koehler
April 3 “ Verghese Koehler
April 8 “ Wang Koehler
April 10 “ Chowdhury Koehler
April 15 Host responses/Immune evasion Garza Norris
April 17 “ Tsanova Norris
April 22 “ Verghese Norris
April 24 “ Revised MiniGrant Due Wang Norris
