Biology W4158
Seminar in Nucleic Acids
|
Microbiology and the Control of Infectious Diseases is the topic for Spring 2005 |
Geoffrey Zubay
814 Fairchild
854-4578
zubay@columbia.edu
Kathleen Kehoe
kehoe@columbia.edu
TA: Melinda Nugent
mn2008@columbia.edu
Class Information:
|
room |
800 Fairchild |
|
time |
4:15 - 6:15pm |
|
day |
Tuesdays |
|
call # |
67997 |
Syllabus
Reference
Reading List
Reserve texts available in full-text online:
Chemical and biological terrorism: Research and development to improve civilian medical response
Bioterrorism
Information Resources by Onnalee Henneberry,
(A valuable
bibliography for resources on biological and chemical warfare.)
Many items available on reserve
shelves
All potential participants must
show up on the first day as that is when we organize the topics and
seminar assignments. Each student is to give a seminar on a particular aspect
of this subject. The first
meeting will be on Tuesday, January 21, 2003, at 4:15pm in room
800 Fairchild.
This is a seminar course in which the focus will be on noxious germs or substances that might be used by bioterrorists. Ten of the most credible biological threats are posed by smallpox, anthrax, tularemia, botulinum toxin, brucellosis, Q fever, viral encephalitis, hemorrhagic fever, staphylococcal entereotoxin B and bubonic plague. Each student will present a seminar that will focus on a specific bacterium, virus or toxic substance.
Two to three persons will be assigned to each topic. Persons working on the same topic should work together on their presentations, each person covering a distinct phase of the presentation. Speakers should use slides and have handouts for the audience which cover the body of their talks. Each group should leave time for end of talk discussion and permit some questions to be asked during the presentation.
In general a description of the molecular biology of the organism(s) or virus(es) should be followed by a description of the toxicology and epidemiology of the pathogen. Specific instances when the organism or virus has resulted in widespread infection should be briefly described. The reasons for including this organism or virus in a short list as suitable for bioterrorism should be given. Ways in which this organism or virus has been or might be weaponized to make it an even more potent infectious agent should be described. Finally the types of defenses that have been or might be used to minimize or nullify the effects of the pathogen should be indicated.
Students in this course are expected to attend all of the seminars. Students will be graded on the quality of their seminars and their class participation and a brief final exam.
Our reference librarian, Kathleen Kehoe, will be available to help seminar speakers do literature searches on their topics.
Enrollment in this course will be limited to 38 students. Students will be graded on the quality of their seminars and their class participation.