Bacillus anthracis, causal agent of anthrax, on blood agar takes on a characteristic "ground-glass" appearance Enteropathogenic E.coli induces the formation of pedestals on the host cell surface Opisthotonus by Sir Charles Bell, 1809. Opisthotonus occurs in untreated tetanus patients.

Welcome to BIOL 464: Bacterial Pathogenesis

Course description

This course for upper division and graduate students will address the molecular mechanisms by which bacterial pathogens cause disease. Bacterial infections will be considered as molecular interactions between hosts and their infecting microbes. We will consider some of the basic principles of bacterial pathogenesis before conducting a survey of the pathogens and their specific virulence factors. The course will also include some aspects of bacterial genetics and physiology, immune response to infection, and the cell biology of host-parasite interactions.

Course objectives: As a result of taking this course students should:

• Understand the importance natural flora plays in defending our body against bacterial pathogens

• Understand the basics of innate and adaptive immune responses

• Appreciate which bacterial structures are commonly seen associated with bacterial pathogens and how these function in disease

• Understand the bacterial mechanisms commonly used to avoid the immune system

• Understand the different environments of the human body and how pathogens exploit these environments to colonize and cause disease

For course notes and syllabus details, follow this link:

BIOL 464 Lecture Syllabus

Lectures: Monday and Wednesday 4pm - 5.15pm. CHEM 101

Instructor: Dr. Helen Wing,

Assistant Professor,

School of Life Sciences

Email: helen.wing@unlv.edu

Website: http://www.unlv.edu/faculty/hjwing

Phone: 895-5382

Office hours: Rm 314A White Hall; Monday 10-11am

Course website: http://faculty.unlv.edu/hjwing/BIOL_464X.htm

Course materials:

Required text:

“Bacterial Pathogenesis: A Molecular Approach” 2^nd edition, Abigail A. Salyers and Dixie D. Whitt. ASM Press.

Supplementary texts:

1) Brock Biology of Microorganisms, 11^th edition, Madigan, Martinko, and Parker. This text has a website (www.prenhall.com/brock) for supplementary materials. Note: This was course text for Biol 251 in the past and is currently used a course text for Biol 351.

2) Todar's Online Textbook of Bacteriology www.textbookofbacteriology.net.

For Other Student Resources click here

Grading:

A, 100-90%; A-, 89-87%; B+, 86-83%; B, 82-80; B-, 79-77; C+, 76-73%; C, 72-70; C- 69-67%; D, 66-57%; and F, <57%.

Undergraduate Grading:	Graduate Grading:
30%: Midterm 1	23.3%: Midterm 1
30%: Midterm 2	23.3%: Midterm 2
30%: Final	23.3%: Final
10 % Classroom assignments and quizzes	30% Essay

Exams and Assignments: Exams will cover material in assigned readings and material presented in class. The format will be 40 multiple-choice, 10 true/false, and 3 short answer/essays (you pick 2). More information will be given as the exam dates approach.

Undergraduate Students will be able to obtain up to 100 points, equivalent to 10% of the final grade by filling out questionnaires and completing assignments that will be handed out unannounced during lecture. Only students present on days when assignments are handed out will be eligible for these points. Please note these are not extra credits – these points are part of your final grade!

Graduate Students will be given a list of essays titles which cover a variety of aspects of bacterial pathogenesis. Students will be given essay titles in the first week to research and write a 3000 word essay on their selected title. Essays must include citations of primary literature and will be due Monday 14^th November. This will be worth 30% of you final grade.

Attendance at all exams is required and an absence will result in a zero unless you (1) provide the instructor with reasonable justification of your absence before the exam (including religious holidays and official UNLV extracurricular activities) or (2) provide written documentation of the reason for your absence on official letterhead of a physician or legal authority within one week after the exam date. Eligible students will take a make-up exam. A make-up exam may not be similar to the original and it must be completed within 1 week of the original exam. A student who does not take a make-up exam within 1 week of the original exam will receive a zero for the test. It is your responsibility to schedule a make-up exam with me! You must bring number 2 pencils and a Scantron form to all exams!


Grade posting: Exam grades and cumulative grades will be posted on the Microbiology notice board on the third floor opposite the elevators as soon as possible after each exam. Grades will be posted under a random number, which will appear on the upper left corner of Exam 1. Rebelmail – Throughout the course Dr. Wing will send e-mail to students’ Rebelmail accounts, and Rebelmail account ONLY. Rebelmail is UNLV’s official e-mail system for students. It is one of the primary ways students receive official university communication. All UNLV students receive a Rebelmail account after admission to the university. Non-admitted students should contact the Student Help Desk at (702) 895-0761, in the Student Union Room 231, or by e-mail: studenthelp@unlv.edu. See http://rebelmail.unlv.edu/ for additional information.

Religious holidays: If you have a religious holiday that conflicts with any of the exam dates, please inform me by the last day of late registration (25^th August) so we can make alternative arrangements.

Official extracurricular activity: Students who represent UNLV in any extracurricular activity shall have the opportunity to make up assignments and exams provided that the student presents official written notification to the instructor no less than one week prior to the missed class(es).

Academic Misconduct – “Academic integrity is a legitimate concern for every member of the campus community; all share in upholding the fundamental values of honesty, trust, respect, fairness, responsibility and professionalism. By choosing to join the UNLV community, students accept the expectations of the Academic Misconduct Policy and are encouraged when faced with choices to always take the ethical path. Students enrolling in UNLV assume the obligation to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with UNLV’s function as an educational institution.” An example of academic misconduct is plagiarism: “Using the words or ideas of another, from the Internet or any source, without proper citation of the sources.” See the “Student Academic Misconduct Policy” (approved December 9, 2005) located at: http://studentlife.unlv.edu/judicial/misconductPolicy.html. Copyright:The University requires all members of the University Community to familiarize themselves and to follow copyright and fair use requirements. You are individually and solely responsible for violations of copyright and fair use laws. The university will neither protect nor defend you nor assume any responsibility for employee or student violations of fair use laws. Violations of copyright laws could subject you to federal and state civil penalties and criminal liability, as well as disciplinary action under University policies. To familiarize yourself with copyright and fair use policies, you are encouraged to visit the following website: http://www.unlv.edu/committees/copyright/. Disability Resource Center (DRC): The Disability Resource Center (DRC) coordinates all academic accommodations for students with documented disabilities. The DRC is the official office to review and house disability documentation for students, and to provide them with an official Academic Accommodation Plan to present to the faculty if an accommodation is warranted. Faculty should not provide students accommodations without being in receipt of this plan. UNLV complies with the provisions set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, offering reasonable accommodations to qualified students with documented disabilities. If you have a documented disability that may require accommodations, you will need to contact the DRC for the coordination of services. The DRC is located in the Student Services Complex (SSC), Room 137, and the contact numbers are: Voice (702) 895-0866, TTY (702) 895-0652, fax (702) 895-0651. For additional information, please visit: http://studentlife.unlv.edu/disability/.
Lecture etiquette: During lecture you are expected to behave in a way that is not disruptive to the class. Eating is allowed but students should strive to eat quietly and not make a mess. Cell phones should ALWAYS be turned off.