MIC3022

Biotechnology and medical microbiology

Dr Shiela Unkles

12 points - 10 hours per week (four 1-hour lectures and 6 hours practical) - Second semester - Clayton - Prerequisites: MIC3011 - Prohibitions: GAS3121, GAS3122

Objectives On the completion of this subject students should understand and recognise key areas of microbial involvement in biotechnology, eg production of antibiotics, food additives and solvents and be aware of the economic realities of biotechnological production involving microorganisms; have built on earlier broad concepts regarding mechanisms of microbial disease; have acquired a knowledge of the intricacies of disease processes, eg sites of infection, host responses, and immunity to infection; appreciate the differences between the control and treatment of infectious diseases of man and domestic animals; have acquired technical skills for the identification of bacterial isolates from medical and environmental sources.

Synopsis In this subject, aspects of microbiology are presented which are relevant to infectious disease today (including the mode of action of antibiotics) and to biotechnology. This subject builds on the content of previous subjects providing the basis for the study of biotechnology and bioengineering, especially industrial and environmental applications. The subject includes medical and veterinary microbiology and virology, especially microbial relationships, the nature of microbial infections, vaccines, immunity and mechanisms of host resistance.

Assessment Written (2000 words): 10% - Examinations (3 hours): 55% - Practical work/laboratory work: 35%

Recommended texts

Glazer A N and Nikaido H Microbial biotechnology Freeman and Co, 1995
Glick B R and Pasternak J J Molecular biotechnology ASM, 2nd edn, 1998
Madigan M T and others Brock Biology of microorganisms 8th edn, Prentice-Hall, 1997
Mims C A and others Medical microbiology Mosby, 1993
Roitt I and others Immunology 3rd edn, Mosby, 1993

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