1 - 10 of 29 results for: MI

Examines the H1N1 influenza virus from molecular, clinical, societal, historical, demographic, economic, and political perspectives. Examines the unique genetic, epidemiological, virologic, and pathogenic features of the influenza virus that allow it to continue to reinvent itself and re-emerge on an annual basis. Discusses past successes and failures, the current status of influenza, and the critical factors to consider to avert the coming influenza pandemic. Explores whether or not the lessons learned from influenza can be applied to other diseases. Includes guest lectures, field trips, student presentations.

A study of measles (until recently one of the leading causes of death in the world and the most contagious disease agent ever studied) and its relatives in the paramyxovirus family, including mumps, respiratory syncytial virus, hendra, and nipah, as well as a number of important animal pathogens. Investigates the nature of viruses using the paramyxoviruses as a paradigm. Topics include: the history of this devastating group of pathogens; basic aspects of paramyxovirus taxonomy and molecular virology; viral epidemiology, emergence, and eradication, including the pioneering studies of Peter Panum; the use, misuse, and abuse of science; the interactions between pathogen and host and how this interplay leads to disease, including the appearance of a bizarre brain complication with 100% mortality; the politics and economics of infection; how a putative link between the measles vaccine and autism entered the public eye, and how it refuses to disappear despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Field trips, guest speakers, student presentations. No science background necessary.

Utilizes the idiom of photography to learn about nature, enhance observation, and explore scientific concepts. Builds upon the pioneering photographic work of Eadweard J. Muybridge on human and animal locomotion. A secondary goal is to learn the grammar, syntax, composition, and style of nature photography to enhance the use of this medium as a form of scientific communication and also to explore the themes of change across time and space. Scientific themes to be explored include: taxonomy, habitat preservation, climate change; species diversity; survival and reproductive strategies; ecological niches and coevolution, carrying capacity and sustainability, population densities, predation, and predator-prey relationships, open-space management, the physics of photography. Extensive use of field trips and class critque.

Innate immune mechanisms as the only defenses used by the majority of multicellular organisms. Topics include Toll signaling, NK cells, complement, antimicrobial peptides, phagocytes, neuroimmunity, community responses to infection, and the role of native flora in immunity. How microbes induce and defeat innate immune reactions, including examples from vertebrates, invertebrates, and plants.

Advanced seminar. Human aspects of viral disease, focusing on recent discoveries in vaccine development and emerging infections. Journal club format: students choose articles from primary scientific literature, write formal summaries, and synthesize them into a literature review. Emphasis is on analysis, experimental design, and interpretation of data. Oral presentations. Enrollment limited to 10. Prerequisites: HUMBIO 155H, MI 155V.

Focus on interaction of humans and viruses from a number of perspectives: historical, cultural, political, and demographic. Organismal, molecular biological, biochemical, human and viral interactions; clinical aspects of viral disease, epidemiology and risk factors, public and international health, aspects of virology including emerging viruses and biological weapons. Case studies involving particular viruses: human herpes viruses, retroviruses, oncogenic viruses; vaccination and disease eradication, evolution of viruses as tools for research and therapy. Emphasis on general principles of biology and matters of decision making policy. Prerequisite: Biology core, Human Biology core, or consent of instructor.

(Enrollment limited to junior and senior undergraduates) Throughout history humans have encountered novel microbes, which, in some cases, can cause disease and sometimes death. This course introduces undergraduate students (especially those thinking about a career in the biomedical sciences) to the bacteria that live in and on humans. Topics include the biology of the interaction of the simple microbe with complex human biology and the factors that determine whether or not we coexist relatively peacefully, suffer from overt disease, or succumb to the bacterial onslaught.

Introduction to human virology integrating epidemiology, molecular biology, clinical sciences, social sciences, history, and the arts. Emphasis is on host pathogen interactions and policy issues. Topics: polio and vaccination, smallpox and eradication, yellow fever and history, influenza and genomic diversity, rubella and childhood infections, adenovirus and viral morphology, ebola and emerging infection, lassa fever and immune response.

Introduction to human virology integrating epidemiology, molecular biology, clinical sciences, social sciences, history, and the arts. Emphasis on host pathogen interactions and policy issues. Topics: measles and viral epidemiology, rotavirus and world health, rabies and infections of the brain, HPV and cancer -causing viruses, herpes simplex and viral latency, CMV and viral teratogenesis, retrovirology and endogenous viral sequences, HIV and viral treatement, viral hepatitis and chronic infections, prions and diseases of life style. Prerequisite: MI155H.