Antimicrobials, Resistance, Epidemiology and Evolution

The course consists of four modules covering: 1. microbial evolution (3.5 credits) 2. epidemiology (3.5 credits) 3. antimicrobial therapy and resistance (3.5 credits) 4. antimicrobial drug development (4.5 credits) These modules are partly integrated by a recurring theme that deals with antimicrobial therapy and resistance development from a social perspective where questions concerning healthcare-associated infections, economics, ethics as well as information- and knowledge dissemination are discussed. Specifically, the course discusses strategies to identify new targets for antimicrobial therapy and the processes of drug development, including the pharmacological aspects of antimicrobial drugs. The molecular mechanisms of action of antimicrobial drugs of different categories - and resistance to these - are discussed in detail. Relevant model systems are used to practically illustrate the molecular mechanisms and factors affecting resistance development and global transmission of resistance. The emergence and spread of infectious disease agents are also studied in detail, both from an evolutionary and epidemiological point of view. The focus of the course requires relevant knowledge of molecular biology and biochemistry.