Undergraduate Course: Genetics of Host-Parasite Interactions (GENE10004)
Course Outline
School | School of Biological Sciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
Summary | Microparasites (protists, bacteria and viruses) are responsible for some of the greatest burdens in infectious disease in humans and animals. Using prominent examples, we will be discussing genetic and molecular aspects of these organisms in a way that also relates to the biology and disease burdens inflicted by the pathogens. The module is organised in sessions of either lectures by academic staff, or presentations and discussion by the students of research literature on topics related to the lectures. The sessions on trypanosomes will focus upon two unique and characteristic aspects of the molecular cellular biology of these eukaryotic parasites, namely the phenomenon of antigenic variation and their mitochondrial biology. The session on Listeria will look at the survival strategies of a cytosolically replicating bacterial pathogen. The session on malaria will cover parasite virulence genes and discuss the cellular and molecular basis of the pathogenesis of malaria. The session on Toxoplasma will cover host and parasite factors impacting infection outcomes, and the genetic approaches used to identify them. The session on nematodes and viruses will focus on how these pathogens can use micro RNAs to regulate host gene expression. |
Course description |
Not entered
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Additional Costs | Notepads, Marker Pens |
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisites | None |
High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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Academic year 2024/25, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: 0 |
Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
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Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
98 )
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Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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Additional Information (Assessment) |
A written exam will take place during Flexible Learning Week and consistent of an open book exam worth 70% of the final mark for the course.
Each student will also prepare an oral presentation on a scientific paper related to the course content. One group of students will present papers on trypanosome research and one group will present papers on apicomplexa (Plasmodium and Toxoplasma) research and papers will be assigned approximately one week ahead of time. Presentations will be discussed as a group, and students will received oral and written feedback on their presentations. The presentations will be marked and will be worth 30% of the final mark for the course.
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Feedback |
Not entered |
Exam Information |
Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
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Outwith Standard Exam Diets February | | 3:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
Increased understanding of Biological processes. Detailed learning outcome will be provided later.
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Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
Keywords | GENEGHPInter |
Contacts
Course organiser | Dr Achim Schnaufer
Tel:
Email: Achim.Schnaufer@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Donna Wright
Tel: (0131 6)51 7051
Email: Donna.Wright@ed.ac.uk |
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