This course will focus on the co-evolution (still in progress) of the protective mechanisms of organisms against a variety of pathogens and the pathogens’ evasion mechanisms of immune surveillance. Topics will include the nature of pathogens, mucosal surfaces as the first barrier to pathogens in vertebrates, evolution of the immune response to pathogens in the plant and animal kingdom, co-evolution of evasion mechanisms in viruses, bacteria, and protozoa to bypass or neutralize the immune response, diagnosis and treatment of microbial disease. Students will research a pathogen of their choice throughout the semester and will present their findings in an oral poster presentation that will be evaluated by three peers and me.
We will use our scheduled time to meet synchronously with emphasis on discussion and small group work in breakout rooms. Therefore it will be even more essential to do all the asynchronous work (reading, watching short videos, preparing short presentations, and other assignments) in a timely fashion, such that we can spend most of the time in small groups discussing the readings, working through problems sets and reporting back to the class. In the event that a synchronous session cannot be attended, you will be able to make up by watching the Zoom recording and providing discussion input and/or assignment completion by submitting it in writing or via a short video.
- Teacher: Sophia Sarafova