Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry
Eukaryotic microbial parasites cause diseases of major global health importance, including Malaria, Amoebic Dysentery, and Giardiasis. This course examines the cellular diversity of such parasites, framing it in an evolutionary context to examine not only the span of how these cells function but how they arose. Starting by surveying how various parasites fit in the overall diversity of eukaryotes, the course then examines the variation observed in different cellular systems including the nucleus, endomembrane system, mitochondria and plastids and how these can differ in parasites from the well-studied models organisms. Each organelle will be explored from morphological, genomic and evolutionary perspectives, emphasizing current literature and its critical analysis. Offered in alternating years. Prerequisites: CELL 201 or BIOL 201.