Infection, inflammation and immunity are biologic processes at the core of a large number of the world’s most pressing health problems. This course, representative of the one attended by second year UCSF medical students, will cover key topics in microbiology, immunology, infectious disease, and international health. Taught by an extraordinary team of UCSF faculty, this course will combine basic science, clinical medicine and public health in a most unique and stimulating manner.
October 24
How Bacteria Cause Disease
Warren Levinson, MD, professor of microbiology and immunology.
Learn about the various agents that cause infectious diseases: bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa and worms, with a focus on how bacteria are transmitted and cause disease, and how exotoxins and endotoxins cause symptoms of disease.
October 31
Anti-microbial Drugs
Marieke Kruidering-Hall, PhD, assistant adjunct professor of cellular and molecular pharmacology
Learn about drugs used to treat various types of Infections, the rationale behind antimicrobial therapy, the mechanism of action of different classes of drugs as well as problems associated with their use, ranging from side effects to drug resistance.
November 7
HIV and Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Implications of Age, Gender, Geography and the Internet
Ruth Greenblatt, MD, professor of clinical medicine and epidemiology
With both an ancient history (STDs) and a modern one (HIV), these infections have found a striking niche on the internet, contributing to the world-wide pandemic.
November 14
Anatomy of an Outbreak: Lessons from the SARS Epidemic and Implications for Avian Flu
George Rutherford, MD, Salvatore Pablo Lucia Professor of Epidemiology, Preventive Medicine and Pediatrics
Examine how world health leaders investigated and controlled the 2003 outbreak of SARS, an infectious disease of unknown etiology. Do quarantine and isolation work? Preparing for future epidemics such as avian flu and other serious pathogens.
November 28
How the Body Fights Infection
Richard Locksley, MD, Sandler Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Miniaturized battles are waged continuously by heroic micro-warriors that protect us from viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. A look at how these unseen victories (and occasional defeats) are played out, and how vaccination stacks the deck on our side.
December 5
Things That Go Bump in the Night
James McKerrow, PhD, Robert E. Smith Chair in Experimental Pathology.
Parasitic diseases from mosquitos to sushi, from single cells to worms. Learn about tropical parasites and the diseases they cause.
