Let us initiate online discussion of questions raised during class (Semester I; 2019-20)

Class Discussion Topics (2019 odd semester):

Students are invited to post information relevant to the MMV course here, in relation to class discussion. Let us start with:

What are the challenges in correlating composition of the human microbiome with any particular disease and/or overall health status of individuals?

Class Discussion Topics (2018-19)

Topics of emerging importance:

• Antimicrobial versus antipathogenic approaches
• New targets in pathogenic microbes e.g. siderphores, quorum-sensing, efflux pumps

Preface

Traditionally medical microbiology has been revolving around bacteria, but with increase in the number of immuno-compromised people in past few years, fungi has emerged as a major challenge. This is particularly due to lack of sufficient number of antifungal drugs available. The problem of drug-resistance in microbial pathogens has further exacerbated the challenge. Finding effective antiviral compounds is no less a challenge.

Besides above-mentioned topics, this paper will take students into the world of human microbiota, and will make them share the excitement generated by the Human Microbiome Project. Further the role of pathogenecity islands and horizontal gene transfer toward virulence of microbial pathogens will also be focused.