This course will cover topics of critical importance for understanding modern bacterial genetics. The course content will include the study of DNA elements including the chromosome, plasmids and bacteriophage, gene expression at the transcriptional, translational and post-translational levels, methods of genetic analysis, transposition, recombination, and the genetics of antibiotic resistance.

A survey of theories and mechanisms of immunity including: nature of antigens and antibodies, antigen-antibody reactions, immunocompetent cells, immunogenetics, allergic reactions, tumor immunology and transplantation immunology.

This course will examine the pathogenic mechanisms used by bacteria to cause human disease. Bacterial virulence factors & host susceptibility factors will be discussed, with an emphasis on understanding the techniques that can be used to identify these traits in newly emerging pathogens.

Immunotherapy, the application of immunologic principles to the clinic, often called "Bench to Bedside", has led to significant objective clinical responses and prolonged time to tumor progression or recurrence in a subset of cancer patients. The current class will discuss basic immunologic principles and show how they apply to the tumor setting. In addition, the class will demonstrate how immunologic mechanisms can be exploited in the treatment of cancer. The semester will be divided into three stages including: 1.

Each semester five distinguished scientists visit the UK campus to deliver a series of three formal lectures each and participate in numerous informal contacts with graduate students. The emphasis is on the presentation of the most current advances (often unpublished) in selected topics in molecular and cellular genetics. May be repeated to a maximum of six credits.

Biology of cancer will be discussed at the molecular, cellular and organismic level. Emphasis will be placed on cellular signaling, apostosis and cell cycle unique to cancer cells, which affects tumor cell behavior and its interactions with the host immune system. The biology of hematopoitic cells will also be included. Clinicians active in treatment and research of various types of cancer will be invited to participate in the lectures.

This course will deal with controversial and evolving areas of immunology. Lectures in a given topic will be accompanied by student discussion of contemporary literture.

A variety of topics relating to modern molecular and cell biology.

Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis is designed to cover major pathogenic mechanisms of bacteria, protozoa, fungi and viruses. Since it is impossible to include every possible pathogen, we instead focus on selected pathogens that illustrate particular lifestyles and pathogenic strategies. Emphasis is given to covering host mechanisms that combat the different weapons and lifestyles of the disease causing microbes.

Half-time to full-time work on thesis. May be repeated to a maximum of six semesters.