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Microbiology & Immunology for Dental MIM 322 - Fall '09

Course Director:                                 Bin He , Ph.D.
College of Dentistry Coordinators: Luisa DiPietro , DDS, PhD,  Phillip Marucha , DMD, PhD

Course Objectives:

Students obtain an overview of the varieties of microorganisms, particularly those commensal or pathogenic in man, identify major characteristics of the various categories of microorganisms.  The relationship of the structure and metabolism of microorganisms to their growth, function, and pathogenic potential are learned.  Students gain an understanding of the mechanisms of action of various categories of chemotherapeutic agents including antibiotics, and the potential for genetic change among microbes leading to antibiotic resistance and for human disease. 
Fundamental concepts of body’s immune defense mechanisms with emphasis on mechanisms of the body's immune resistance to infectious viruses, fungi, and pathogenic bacteria are taught.  Students learn to characterize microorganisms that cause human diseases including those that impact the field of dentistry, especially those involved in dental caries and periodontal disease. They gain an appreciation of current public health concerns in dentistry.

Textbook: Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Levinson, 10th edition; Lange. This is a medical review covering all relevant aspects of Microbiology & Immunology.  The review book combined with lecture handouts should be appropriate for this course.  The immunology section is poorly covered in the book. For a better knowledge of the topics covered in the syllabus, read below.

Two additional books are recommended for those students interested in a more comprehensive treatment of the subjects:

1. Janeway's Immunobiology by Murphy, Travers, & Walport ; 7th Edition; Garland Science
2. Medical Microbiology by Murray, Rosenthal,  & Pfaller; 5th Edition;  Elsevier  Mosby