This module will cover the key features of microbes that are important for their virulence, with a special focus on microbial envelopes and surfaces. It will focus on the Molecular and Cell Biology concerned with the virulence of a wide range of microbes, and the resulting infections, including microbe-microbe interactions.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Describe, in detail, and with overview, the different “barriers” that micro-organisms present to the outside world; possess an in-depth working knowledge of the multiprotein complexes that pathogens utilize at their surfaces
Demonstrate a detailed understanding of how prokaryotic and eukaryotic surface features contribute to lifestyle traits including (but not limited to) virulence
Describe and critically evaluate the different organelle-like features present in microbes
Elaborate on the interplay of the above concepts, especially during infection
