You will be required to write a Scientific Report that requires you to identify and develop a potential novel vaccine candidate or alternative treatment against one of the following human sexually transmitted infections (STIs): 1) Neisseria gonorrhoeae; 2) Chlamydia trachomatis; 3) Trichomonas vaginalis; 4) Treponema palladium; or 5) HIV. All of these pathogens can cause sexually transmitted infections and depending on the microbe, it can either be symptomatic or asymptomatic. When students begin to study Medical Microbiology, they often incorrectly assume that there are vaccines/treatments (drugs) for all the major diseases encountered by humans. It can come as a surprise that we still have many medically important microbes for which there are no vaccines. Furthermore, where a drug(s) does exist, the threat of drug resistance can be significant, particularly when treatment depends on a single class of drug. By choosing option 2 you will be researching such a microbe. Key things you’ll need to keep in mind to enable you to write your scientific report should include (note: this is only a guide and by no means a complete list):
(1) Compare and contrast the structural similarities and differences between the human host and the microbe you have chosen (information available in Lectures 1 & 2). What does this mean for vaccine/drug development (information 11available in Lecture 13)?
(2) Illustrate the general mechanisms STI pathogens use to cause ’disease’
(3) Evaluate how specific virulence factors (toxins, attachment) contribute to the pathogenesis of infection taking into account whether your chosen microbe is an intracellular or extracellular pathogen; how does your microbe encounter/enter its host, how is it transmitted to a new host and what are the potential impacts of having this infection (information available in Lecture 3)?
(4) Understand the differences between the innate and adaptive immune systems and the protection afforded by both if at all. Is your chosen pathogen even recognised by the host’s immune system (information available in Lectures 1 & 2)?
(5) Evaluate the interaction between both defences and how the pathogen tries to overcome these. Describe the hostpathogen interactions involved and the implications for vaccine design and potential pitfalls (information available in Lecture 9).
(6) Evaluate the relevant scientific literature, justify the significance of this infection and identify the gaps in current knowledge that you aim to address by proposing/identifying a novel drug target(s) or vaccine candidate(s).
(7) Understand and apply the basic concepts of vaccinology (including delivery, adjuvant, or construction) or drug treatment strategies (information available in Lectures 2 & 13).
(8) Provide accurate and relevant scientific information in written form to a well-educated 3rd year university science student and importantly, demonstrate your depth of scientific understanding of the subject matter by providing detailed insights into the identification of a novel vaccine candidate(s) or novel treatment strategies against your chosen pathogen. Developing an ability to communicate effectively in written format is a crucial part of your educational training, one that requires practice, hence its inclusion in this subject. The same marking rubric will be used to mark both options 1 and 2. Make sure that you familiarise yourself with this rubric as it will be crucial to your success in this assignment. The Turnitin score for this assessment should preferably be 0% but need to be 15% or under
The Task:
Dear Writer,
Length: 1,500 words
minimum of 15-20 references
Harvard Referencing Style
Visual Aids including Tables and figures must be included.
You are expected to write in an academic style of appropriate scientific depth. This means that you are expected to read widely, and include this information (i.e. evidence). Text and pictures/images used in your essay must include acknowledgement of the ideas and words of others (where required), this is called in-text referencing.– You MUST acknowledge the source of all your information including both in-text citation as well as a complete ”Reference List ”at the end of your document.– Do not include the reference list at the end of your essay or the assignment coversheet as part of the word count.– The actual word count, or length of the essay, must be included on the electronic cover sheet. Information concerning the word count will be discussed in class.– Submit work that is typed, double-spaced, written with clarity (clearly) and conforms to the conventions of scholarly writing.– Consider the layout of your document. Use 12 pt of Times Roman numeral or Arial font size. Please ensure you have spaces between paragraphs and feel free to use headings.– Please ensure that all pages are sequentially numbered.
Last Completed Projects
| topic title | academic level | Writer | delivered |
|---|