The
outbreak of SARS in the winter of 2003 stunned and alarmed the world community
as the illness spread rapidly to several countries. Research into the "causative
agent" of SARS is an ongoing collaborative effort by scientists worldwide.
Infectious diseases are caused by a variety of biological agents, such as microorganisms
and viruses.
In addition to historical and public health perspectives, the lectures in this course will focus on the biological nature of different pathogens and how advances in biotechnology provide new ways to study and combat emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
NOTE: This course is taught at an introductory level for those who have little to no background in general biology or genetics.
Image of HIV particles from the image library at the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention
HIV-1 stained with ruthenium red to show surface glycoprotein knobs. Transmission
electron micrograph. Content Provider(s): CDC/Dr. Edwin P. Ewing, Jr.
Course Syllabus:
January 21, 2004 Optional introductory lecture
Optional introductory lecture on basic concepts in cell biology and genetics.
This optional first lecture will provide an overview of fundamental topics in
cell biology and genetics that will be referred to during the course. Topics
to be covered include cellular structure, DNA structure, and the flow of information
from gene to protein.
January 28, 2004 and February 4, 2004 HIV and AIDS
A historical case study of the emergence of this global epidemic and a presentation
of recent advances in AIDS research.
February 11, 2004 Disease Detectives in 2003
The global effort to combat SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome)
February 18, 2004 Public Health Concerns in Africa
Current perspectives on malaria and Ebola
February 25, 2004 Proteins as infectious agents?
CJD (Creutzfeldt Jacob Disease) and Mad Cow Disease
March 3, 2004 Potential re-emergence of infectious diseases
Concerns about drug resistant strains of microorganisms and about bioterrorism
Sites with general information about infectious diseases and information sheets for specific diseases
The World Health Organization (WHO) - The homepage of the WHO web site has the up to date information about disease outbreaks worldwide. The Health Topics subsection includes an index to fact sheets and links to WHO resource page about many health issues including infectious diseases.
Emerging Infectious Diseases: Ancient Scourge and Modern Menace - This web site is an online version of a former exhibit at The College of Physicians and Surgeons in Philadelphia.
Epidemic: The World of Infectious Disease - An online exhibit from the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
HIV AIDS web sites
Note: most of these web sites contain information about disease prevention, disease progression, and the molecular mechanisms of HIV infection and disease therapies. For convenience, some starting points to understanding and exploring the science of HIV/AIDS are listed separately below; figures from some of these sites will be shown in class.
Death Stalks a Continent: Time Magazine Photoessay about AIDS in Africa - A 2001 photoessay that gives an intimate and powerful portrayal of the impact of this horrific disease on individuals and communities in Africa. The accompanying web site, Resource Center - AIDS in Africa, includes links to other articles from Time and to external web sites about the AIDS epidemic.
Centers for Disease Control Homepage for HIV/AIDS Prevention - This web page is a gateway to a comprehensive web site containing brochures, fact sheets, educational materials, and research reports about HIV and AIDS.
History of the AIDS Epidemic - Presented by AVERT, "an international HIV and AIDS charity based in the UK, with the aim of AVERTing HIV and AIDS worldwide, " this site has a detailed year by year timeline of the outbreak of HIV/AIDS. The homepage for AVERT also has other educational resources.
The natural science of HIV and AIDS
How AIDS Works - from howstuffworks - Excellent diagrams, animations, and clear explanations of HIV biology. Comprehensive and detailed but readable by a wide-ranging audience. The text includes hyperlinked text for explanations of other biological terms and concepts; the section on the immune system is also good. (How your immune system works)
HIVInSite - comprehensive, up to date information about HIV/AIDS biology, treatment, prevention and policy. This site contains a wealth of primary scientific data as well as links to relevant stories in the general press. Sponsored by the University of California School of Medicine and the Center for HIV Information.
Other selected sites with extensive collections of links to HIV/AIDS informational resources
The Body - An AIDS and HIV Information Resource - "The Body covers every aspect of HIV and AIDS from the medical to the social, and hosts over 70 top AIDS groups. Free interactive Q&A with experts and art and photo exhibits."
SARS Web sites
What everyone should know about SARS - General information about the disease from the CDC
World Health Organization site on SARS - WHO, with the assistance of the Global Outbreak and Alert Response Network, is coordinating the international investigation and monitoring of SARS.
Ebola
Ebola Information Center - This is a CDC web site that has general information about the virus, the symptoms of the disease and how Ebola is spread.
Surveillance Reports on Ebola from the World Health Organization.
Malaria
CDC Travel Information Center on Malaria - This site has good maps of malaria-endemic areas and information on prevention and treatment of the disease.
Malaria International Foundation (MFI) - The MFI was founded in 1992 in order to "facilitate the development and implementation of solutions to the health, economic and social problems caused by malaria." This site has a comprehensive set of links to information about malaria research, control and eradication efforts, and global initiatives to combat the disease.
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy/BSE = Mad Cow Disease
Frequently Asked Questions about BSE and Mad Cow Disease - hosted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Updated in June 2005.
BSE and the human form Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease - This World Health Organization site has information about the forms of the diseases, modes of transmission, and occurrences of outbreaks worldwide.
BSE and CJD - Information and resources from the CDC - This site has fact sheets about the BSE and CJD as well as a good collection of links to other web sites.
Return to the homepage for the Genetics Series at the Wagner Free Institute of Science
Latest update: January 27, 2004
Questions? Email Mary Beth Davis.