Course catalogue doctoral education - VT24

    Startpage
  • Ansökan kan ske mellan 2023-10-16 och 2023-11-15
Application closed
Print
Title Biomedical Ecology - The microbiota in health and disease
Course number 2861
Programme Infektionsbiologi och global hälsa (BIGH)
Language English
Credits 1.5
Date 2022-05-02 -- 2022-05-06
Responsible KI department Institutionen för mikrobiologi, tumör- och cellbiologi
Specific entry requirements
Purpose of the course To support the acquisition of a broad knowledge and systematic understanding of the composition and function of the microbiota during the life cycle, how it might be influenced by diet and disease, and of host-microbe cross-talk. To introduce tools and methodologies that will enable the participants of the course to study the microbiota.
Intended learning outcomes After finishing the course the student should be able to show an in-depth and up-to-date specialist knowledge about:
- the composition and function of the microbiota and its cross-talk with the host,
- the establishment of the microbiota during different stages of life, and its impact on the development and function of the immune system and host tissues,
- the role of how an altered microbial function and/or dysbiosis might occur in connection with different diseases/disturbances.
The student should be able to show familiarity with, and insight in:
- methods to study the microbiota as well as basic data analyses and interpretation,
- the microbiota as the largest metabolic organ in the body and its physiological and pathophysiological role in health and disease,
- the role of the host-microbiota cross-talk in health and disease.
Contents of the course The course will cover the aspects of the composition and function of the microbiota from birth, during life and the ageing period, how it might be influenced by diet and disease, and host-microbe crosstalk. Sequencing techniques and principles for basic bioinformatics data analyses will be introduced and compared to biochemical methods. Novel findings will be discussed by lecturers in the research front-line on the translational topics of microbiota in relation to human diseases. The course is suitable for clinical and pre-clinical doctoral students and researchers for which the microbiota is of significance.
Teaching and learning activities The course combines lectures, student workshops, and practical laboratory work as follows:
-lectures by well established front-line researchers in their respective fields,
-laboratory sessions covering analysis of the students' own intestinal E. coli microbiota,
-workshops/combined with focused literature studies within defined areas which will be summarized in terms of student seminars,
-peer learning using the competence of the lecturers and course attendees.
Compulsory elements Laboratory work and student seminars. Participants that are absent from the laboratory part and seminars will have to present a written paper on the subject and in agreement with the indications of the course director.
Examination Summative examination includes laboratory work and student presentations that are evaluated by the respective tutor at the specific course module and written examination of the course content.
Literature and other teaching material Recommended literature: ""Microbial Inhabitants of Humans -Their Ecology and Role in Health and Disease"" by Michael Wilson 2005, is recommended as an introduction to the field. The students will also receive publications and/or review articles from respective lecturer within the areas discussed. For Swedish students, we recommend; ""Magen: Bakterier, buller och brak"" by Benno P, Ernberg I, Midtvedt T, Möllby R, Norin E & Svenberg T, 2012. Additional suggested reading; ""Missing Microbes"" by Martin Blaser 2014. Links to online lecture slides will be provided during the course.
Number of students 8 - 30
Selection of students Selection will be based on 1) the relevance of the course syllabus for the applicant's doctoral project (according to written motivation), 2) start date of doctoral studies (priority given to earlier start date)
More information Depending on the COVID situation, the course could be changed into an online version. The lab experiments can also be presented as a video.
Additional course leader Stefanie Prast-Nielsen
Latest course evaluation Course evaluation report
Course responsible Juan Du
Institutionen för mikrobiologi, tumör- och cellbiologi

juan.du@ki.se
Contact person Juan Du
Institutionen för mikrobiologi, tumör- och cellbiologi

juan.du@ki.se


Emma Fransson
Institutionen för mikrobiologi, tumör- och cellbiologi

emma.fransson@ki.se