Course: Biology of parasitic protists

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Course title Biology of parasitic protists
Course code KPA/176
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Lesson
Level of course Doctoral
Year of study not specified
Frequency of the course In academic years starting with an even year (e.g. 2020/2021), in the winter semester.
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 5
Language of instruction English
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Course availability The course is available to visiting students
Lecturer(s)
  • Jalovecká Marie, RNDr. Ph.D.
  • Fiala Ivan, RNDr. Ph.D.
Course content
Content of lectures: 1. Kingdoms of organisms, protista vs. protozoa: definition of Protozoa. Origin of protists and the "Tree of life". Adaptations of protozoa to parasitism. Protozoan phyla and classification. 2.-12. A detailed description of individual groups of parasitic protozoa with emphasis on knowledge of life cycles, cells and its properties/adaptation, medical or veterinary significance and introduction to basic methods of detection, therapy and prevention. Groups of parasitic organisms that will be introduced in the course: Alveolata (Dinoflagelata, Apicomplexa, Ciliata - talks 2+3+4+5), Discoba (talks 6+7), Metamonada (talks 8+9), Amobeozoa (talk 10), Microsporidia, Myxozoa (talk 11), mall groups of parasites from Rhizaria, Archaeplastida, Stramenopila a Fungi (talk 12). Discussion: recent opinions on the systematics of protists and development of therapeutics or vaccines. "Journal Club" about the most recent knowledge of important protozoans or advances in the field.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic (reading, lecture, briefing), Dialogic (discussion, interview, brainstorming), Individual tutoring
  • Preparation for classes - 15 hours per semester
  • Class attendance - 36 hours per semester
  • Preparation for exam - 70 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
To provide students with key features of the most important groups of parasitic protists: Alveolata (Dinoflagelata, Apicomplexa, Ciliata), Stramenopila, Discoba, Metamonada, Amobeozoa, Microsporidia, Myxozoa + small groups of parasites from Rhizaria, Archaeplastida and Fungi (using the Tree of life model). The knowledge of host cell structure, adaptation to a parasitic way of life, life cycles including parasite-host relationships, and medical or veterinary importance together with diagnostics, prevention and therapy in all groups. Specialized course for doctoral students - an English version of the KPA/480 in the shortened form (without practicals). The target group are particularly foreign students using parasitic protists in their research.
Knowledge of systematic classification of individual groups of parasitic protists using the "Tree of life" model. Knowledge of basic characteristics of these groups - cell organization, adaptation to a parasitic way of life. Knowledge of parasitic protists variability and their relationship with the host. Knowledge of life cycles of the most important parasitic agents and their medical or veterinary importance. Knowledge of basic parasitological diagnostics incl. the most commonly used methods of detection, therapy and prevention.
Prerequisites
The knowledge of cell and molecular biology, invertebrate zoology or general protistology is an advantage Knowledge of (e.g. courses KBI / BIO01, KZO / 155 or KZO / 161). To obtain deep knowledge of parasitic organisms, enrollment in the courses Parasitic Arthropod Biology (KPA / 486) and Helminth Biology (KPA / 484) is recommended. Specialized course for doctoral students - an English version of the KPA/480 in the shortened form (without practicals). The target group are particularly foreign students using parasitic protists in their research.

Assessment methods and criteria
Colloquium

To successfully complete the course students are required to: 1. Actively participate and present in the scope of the "Journal Club". 2. Prove the knowledge of the course subject during the oral examination. 3. Actively participate in practical exercises.
Recommended literature
  • Archibald, John M., Simpson, Alastair G.B., Slamovits, Claudio H. (Eds.). Handbook of the Protists. Springer, 2017. ISBN 978-3-319-28147-6..
  • Denis H. Lynn. The ciliated protozoa : characterization, classification, and guide to the literature.. Springer, 2008. ISBN 978-1-4020-8238-2.
  • Iva Dyková and Jiří Lom. Histopathology of protistan and myxozoan infections in fishes : an atlas.. Academia, 2007. ISBN 978-80-200-1546-4.
  • John J. Lee and kol. Illustrated Guide To The Protozoa.. ALLEN PRESS, 2000. ISBN 9781891276224.
  • Klaus Hausmann, Norbert Hülsmann. Protistology.. Schweizerbart Sche Vlgsb, 2003. ISBN 9783510652082.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Parasitology (1) Category: Biology courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Winter
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Parasitology (1) Category: Biology courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Winter
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Parasitology (1) Category: Biology courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Winter