Cuttting edge molecular methodologies has revolutionized microbiology and drastically changed our view of the genetic complexity in microorganisms. It has been estimated that there are more than 1 million unique bacterial genes and only a very small fraction of them have been named and functional characterized. It is reasonable to believe than many of these unknown genes encode proteins/enzymes important to the virulence and resistance mechanisms of pathogenic bacteria. In comparison, there are roughly 20 000 genes in the human genome. We now start to appreciate the many ways by which bacteria combat each other or viruses and protect themselves against harsh environmental conditions, antimicrobials (either bactericidal or bacteriostatic) or the different components of the infected host organism/eukaryotic host cell immune system. This course will focus on some important bacterial pathogens and review known molecular mechanisms behind these different types of resistance. Why is it so important to continue the study of antibiotic resistance in bacteria? Bacteria constantly adapt and evolve to survive and therefore develop resistance to for instant antibiotics. We cannot take antibiotics or vaccines, the ‘miracles’ of modern medicine, for granted and simply cannot afford to lose such effective wonder drugs and preventive measures due to bad practices and discontinued research efforts. The consequences would be very dire and millions of human lives could once again be lost to infectious diseases.

Week 1. Introduction to the course Week 2. Problematic bacteria and anibiotics with unusual modes of action Week 3. Dissemination and evolution of antibiotic resistance by mobile genetic elements Week 4. Antibiotics - mode of action and resistance mechanisms (part 1) Week 5. Antibiotics - mode of action and resistance mechanisms (part 2) Week 6. Antibiotics - mode of action and resistance mechanisms (part 3) Week 7. Increased resistance in biofilms and endospores Week 8. Persisters and the role of toxin-antitoxin systems Week 9. Desinfectant resistance and multidrug pumps Week 10. Resistance to heavy metals, AMPs and ATR in bacteria Week 11. Resistance to bacteriophages and foreign pDNA in bacteria Week 12. Summary of the course

Weekly classroom lectures with powerpoint presentations

None required