Courses / Module

The taught component of the module will begin with an introduction to protozoan parasites, namely Plasmodium species that cause malaria, African trypanosomes, South American trypanosomes and Leishmania species. The parasite-host interface will be covered in detail focusing on the mechanisms by which protozoan parasites establish and maintain infection and cause disease. Topics will include molecular mechanisms of antigenic variation and immune modulation by protozoan parasite, host responses and host resistance mechanisms both innate and acquired. The application of parasite and host genomics to develop vaccines and other control options for these diseases will be covered. The course will also examine emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases of poverty, climate change and global travel to include HIV, TB, Dengue and West Nile Virus. Finally the interaction between nutritional status and disease susceptibility will be explored. Lecture material will be supplemented by dedicated tutorials. There will be a literature review and a presentation assignment where students research, write up and present on an assigned topic. Students will undertake a 3 hour practical to expose them to methods for parasite identification and disease diagnosis.

(existing module - BI603 with change in assessment. Check with the Institute of Immunology Administrator for the current BI603 timetable, and identify yourself to the lecturer.)