Bio 332a Parasitology: The Helminths
Instructor: R.B. Podesta, Department of Biology
Office: BGS Room 3070
Phone: 519- 661-3128
Office Hours:
Mon: noon-1PM
Tues: 11AM -2PM
Thurs: noon-2PM
Fri:10AM -noon
Course web site is now on WebCT OWL
This course will include discussion of both protozoan and helminth parasites, concentrating on species infecting human populations. The lectures will deal with modern concepts of host-parasite interactions as these relate to immunology, biochemistry, physiology, cell and molecular biology. The laboratories will concentrate on surveys of parasites and life cycles, computer simulations of parasite populations and detection/characterization of human parasite antigens.
Lecture Topics:
Week 1 - Introduction and ecological concepts.
Week 2 - Ecological and behavioral concepts.
Week 3 - Biochemistry.
Week 4 - Biochemistry and drugs.
Week 5 - Physiology.
Week 6 - Host-parasite interface: membrane biology.
Week 7 - Host-parasite interface: cell invasion.
Week 8 - Host-parasite interface: signal transduction.
Week 9 - Immunology.
Week 10 - Immunology: host-responses.
Week 11 - Immunology: mechanisms of evasion.
Week 12 - Molecular biology and antigen characterization.
Week 13 - Molecular biology and vaccines.
Evaluation:
Laboratory exam 30%
Midterm exam 30%
Final exam 40%
