This unit will develop a student’s understanding of the biology of infectious disease and the host response to infection. Lectures will focus on the following key aspects:
- The structure and function of the human immune system
- Infection and immunity
- Microbial infections in the immunocompromised host
- Broad strategies employed by pathogens in host colonisation, invasion; tissue damage and immune evasion (i.e. key properties of a microbial pathogen)
- Molecular pathogenesis of key microbial pathogens
The primary aim of this unit is to provide students with an understanding of the biology of infectious disease in both the healthy and immunocompromised host.
Students will also develop an understanding of the components and function of the immune system, the role of virulence factors in microbial infection as well as an understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of key microbial pathogens.
