Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, which are responsible for much of the breakdown and natural recycling of organic material in the environment. Of the vast number of species of microbes, only a few have the capacity to cause disease by invading the tissues of other living organisms and producing toxic substances. The purpose of this course is to introduce to the students the basic principles and concepts of medical microbiology, the various classes of microorganisms that interact with humans. Other disease-producing multicellular parasites, helminthes and flukes will also be briefly covered in this course.

The following aspects at basic theory and advanced topics are covered: (1) Overview of Microbiology in human perspective; (2) Diversity of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic organisms; (3) Prokaryotic cell structure and growth; (4) Microorganisms identification; (5) Virus, Viroids and Prions; (6) Bacterial and Viral Pathogenicity; and (7) Helminthes and parasites.

Immunology is a basic science about immune system, including immune organs, cells, molecules and clinical relevance involved in immune response. The objective of this course is to give the students a general introduction in immunology and to provide a basis for the advanced clinical course “Immunology Diseases”.

The following aspects at basic theory and advanced topics are covered (1) Anatomy and principle of the immune system and organs; (2) Cells and molecules of the innate immune system; (3) HLA molecules and antigen presentation; (4) Cell Migration; (5) Cells and molecules of the adaptive immune system; (6) The immune system in concert; (7) Laboratory investigations of the immune system; (8) Disorders in immune system; (9) Immune-based therapies; (10) T cell differentiation and maturation; (11) T cell receptors and T cell activation; (12) B cell differentiation and maturation; (13) B cell receptors and B cell activation; (14) Cytokines; and (15) Cytokine receptors.