BIOL-UA 522 (2021-2022 Spring)
Course: BIOL-UA 522 Special Topics: Epigenetics and Human Disease: Host Pathogen Interactions
Course description:
Pathogens have an enormous advantage in the evolutionary race against hosts due both to their rapid reproductive rates and large population sizes. Yet, hosts persist against the perpetual onslaught of pathogens. In this course, we will investigate the various factors that together contribute to the persistence of host and pathogen assemblages in nature. The course will consider factors at the organismal level, at the population level and at the community/ecosystem level, through an in-depth study of the primary literature. We will focus on the critical evaluation of the scientific literature, and means of presentation through a combination of written and oral presentations. Although the focus of our studies will be basic research, special attention will be paid to potential applications such as sustainable agriculture and the management of resistance evolution.