Host-pathogen interactions (High-yield)
Core concept Host-pathogen interactions determine infection outcomes: clearance, persistence, latency, or disease. Immune responses are tailored to pathogen type Pathogens evolve mechanisms to evade immunity. Extracellular bacteria Innate Response Complement activation (Alternative and lectin pathways) Phagocytosis via PRRs, Fc receptors, complement receptors Inflammatory cytokines: IL-1, TNF, IL-6 Adaptive Response Antibodies: Opsonization, toxin neutralization CD4+ T cells […]
Introduction to viruses (High-yield)
Viral structure and classification All viruses contain genetic material (DNA or RNA, never both) and a protein capsid. Some viruses have an envelope derived from the host cell membrane. Classification by genetic material: DNA viruses (e.g., Herpesviridae, Adenoviridae) and RNA viruses (e.g., Orthomyxoviridae, Retroviridae). Baltimore Classification groups viruses based on their replication strategy (I–VII). […]
Introduction to vaccines (High-yield)
Types of vaccines Live Attenuated: Replicates, broad immune response, contraindicated in immunocompromised and pregnancy Inactivated: No replication, safer for immunocompromised and pregnancy Polysaccharide and Conjugate: Capsule-targeted, age-dependent response, T-cell independent/dependent Protein Subunit: Toxoids, VLPs, recombinant proteins Viral Vector: Recombinant expression in vivo, adenovirus/VSV Nucleic Acid: mRNA/DNA vaccines, e.g., COVID-19 vaccines Immunology and vaccine mechanisms […]
Parasitology 1: Introduction and gastrointestinal protozoa (High-yield)
Parasitology 3: Tissue-invasive parasites (High-yield)
Herpes virus (High-yield)
Overview of Herpesviruses (HHV 1–8) Virus Common Name Latency Site Key Diseases HHV-1 HSV-1 Trigeminal ganglia Oral herpes, encephalitis HHV-2 HSV-2 Sacral ganglia Genital herpes, neonatal HSV HHV-3 VZV Dorsal root ganglia Chickenpox, shingles HHV-4 EBV B cells Mono, Burkitt lymphoma, NPC HHV-5 CMV Monocytes Mono-like illness, congenital CMV HHV-6/7 Roseolovirus T cells Roseola […]
Behavioral sessions
Residency salary, benefits, and values assessment
This material is aimed at helping a medical student applicant consider and weight the myriads of benefits offered by different residency training programs. This data should not override other program considerations, like quality of training or geographical preference but should be an additional resource. Outcomes are deeply personal. Not all listed benefits are universally expected […]
Residency rank order advice
Incredible work making it through applications and interviews. It is time to take the power back in building your Rank Order List (ROL). Initial considerations Building a ROL requires strategy, self-reflection, and some tough questions. You will be challenging yourself by exploring your comfort with risk against your comfort with programs. Ultimately, you should rank […]
Residency interview advice
Congratulations on your success in applying to Family Medicine Residency! You’ve been very thoughtful about your application and letters; now let’s turn our attention to how best to present yourself and investigate residency programs through the interview process. In Family Medicine, programs may start reaching out with interview applications quickly, even within 12–48 hours of application […]