University of Otago

MICR 223: Infection and Immunity

18 points - Semester 2

Course prescription

The epidemiology and pathogenesis of infectious diseases, fundamental immunology and the role of the immune system in health and disease. 

Course overview

Microbes and the immune response exist in a delicate balance. The immune response is essential for fighting infection by microbial pathogens; however, these pathogens evolve rapidly to develop immune evasion mechanisms.  This paper includes specific discussion on current global disease threats such as HIV, influenza, MRSA, tuberculosis and E. coli 0157:H7.

This course in Infection and Immunity aims to integrate microbiology and immunology to:

  1. explain the mechanisms microbes have evolved to infect cells, individuals and communities.
  2. provide a broad understanding of fundamental immunology, including innate and adaptive immune systems at a cellular and molecular level
  3. provide basic practical experience with the instrumentation and methodology important in a modern diagnostic laboratory and how these skills can be applied to human health and disease.

This paper is ideal if you are interested in Immunology or Medical Microbiology, and want to understand the interplay between infection and protection.

Lecture course overview

The MICR 223 lecture course will introduce you to the following topics:

Module 1:  Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases and Principles of Antimicrobial Therapy

1.         Introduction to Epidemiology

2.         Epidemiological tools – Subtyping Methods

3.         Studying Historical Pandemics – What have we learned?

4.         Acute, Chronic, Latent and Silent Infections

5.         Principles of Antimicrobial Therapy

6.         Are we moving towards the post-antibiotic era?

Module 2:  Sources of Infection and Preventing Transmission

7.         Zoonoses

8.         Environmental Pathogens

9.         Transmission and Prevention

10.       Hospital Versus Community-acquired Infections

Module 3:  Microbial Virulence Mechanisms

11.       Microbial Adhesion

12.       Microbial Invasion

13.       Microbial Intracellular Survival

14.       Bacterial Toxins

15.       Medical Importance of Biofilms

Module 4:  Innate Immune Responses

16.       Introduction to Immunity

17.       Recognition of Pathogens

18.       The Inflammasome and Inflammatory Mediators

Module 5:  Adaptive Immunity I

19.       Generation of Lymphocyte Diversity

20.       Lymphocyte Activation

21.       T cell Subsets I (Cellular)

22.       T cell Subsets II (Molecular)

Module 6:  Adaptive Immunity II

23.      Lymphocyte Regulation

24.      B cell Subsets and Functions

25.      B and T cell Memory

Module 7:  Immunology in Health and Disease

26.    Vaccines I (Introduction)

27.    Vaccines II (Development: HIV, malaria, TB)

28.     Immunodeficiencies

29.     Autoimmunity and Tolerance

Lab course overview

The MICR 223 labs aim to introduce you to concepts covered in the lecture course at a practical level. The 6 labs in the MICR 223 cover:

  • Lab 1 - Neonatal Meningitis
  • Lab 2 - Influenza
  • Lab 3 - Eukaryotic Pathogens and Immune Deficiency
  • Lab 4 - Comparison of Virulence Factors in Staphylococci
  • Lab 5 - Immune Responses in Health and Disease
  • Lab 6 - Genetic Analysis to Investigate Outbreaks

Attendance at all 6 laboratory sessions is compulsory

Techniques and Skills you will learn in the lab course:
Culture of Bacteria, Haemadsorption, Immunochromatography, Yeast Identification, Phagocyte Function, Biofilms, Coagulation and Agglutination, Antibody Binding, Specific Bacterial Staining, ELISA, Lymphocyte Proliferation, DNA Fingerprinting

Assessment

  1. Terms Test 1 (15%) 
  2. Terms Test 2 (15%)
  3. A 3-hr final exam (70%)

Course prerequisites

Prerequisites:
HUBS 191 & 54 further points

Recommended preparation:
MICR 221

Course Timetable

Lectures:
Thu, Fri 11:00-11:50
Wed 11:00-11:50 (last seven weeks of semester)
Venue to be announced

Practical:
Tue 14:00-17:50 or Thu 14:00-17:50
Labs are held in room 201, Microbiology
MICR 223 has 6 practical classes and the labs will be held:

  • Lab 1 semester week 2 
  • Lab 2 semester week 3
  • Lab 3 semester week 4
  • Lab 4 semester week 8
  • Lab 5 semester week 9
  • Lab 6 semester week 10

Textbooks

Recommended Texts:
Madigan, M. T. et al. Brock Biology of Microorganisms. 13th edition (2012), Prentice Hall
Playfair J., and G. Bancroft Infection and Immunity 2nd or 3rd edition, Oxford University Press

An additional immunology text will be provided online.

Teaching Staff

 

For more information on this course, please contact the Course convenor Jo Kirman (jo.kirman@otago.ac.nz)

To find out information on the fees and other information on this paper, click here.