The Unit “Virology and antimicrobial immunity” of the course of General Microbiology aims to provide the basic principles of antimicrobial immunity and of structure, function and evolution of viruses. The knowledge and skills acquired during this course will represent a framework for the understanding of the whole topic and of their impact on human health and the environment.
Students who have passed the exam will know and understand (acquired knowledge) (i) structural and functional diversity of viruses, (ii) main modality of their replication, (iii) mechanisms responsible for their evolution (iv) methods and strategies for their control (v) examples of their interaction with the host; (vi) basic principles of antimicrobial immunity.
Students who have passed the exam will be able to (acquired skills) (i) understand and analyse basic test regarding the field (ii) critically analyse issues related to evolution and diffusion of viruses and to antimicrobial immunity (iii) identify and develop key themes to build educational paths in microbiology.
The module of Bacteriology of the course of General Microbiology aims to provide the basic principles of structure, function and evolution of microbial cells, with particular regard to bacterial cells. The knowledge and skills acquired during this course will represent a framework for the study of the biotechnological applications of microorganisms and for the analysis of their impact on human health and the environment.
Students who have passed the exam will know and understand (acquired knowledge) (i) the structural and functional diversity which is present in the microbial world, (ii) the mechanisms responsible for the structure and functioning of bacterial cells, (iii) the mechanisms responsible for the evolution of bacterial species, (iv) the structure and life cycles of bacterial viruses (bacteriophages), (v) the methods and strategies for the control of microbial growth.
Students who have passed the exam will be also able to (acquired skills) (i) understand and analyse bacteriological and microbiological data, (ii) critically analyse the issues related to the evolution and diffusion of multi-resistant antibiotic bacteria, (iii) understand the experimental approaches for the study and exploitation of bacteria for biotechnological and environmental purposes, (iv) identify and develop key themes to build educational paths in microbiology.
Students who have passed the exam will know and understand (acquired knowledge) (i) structural and functional diversity of viruses, (ii) main modality of their replication, (iii) mechanisms responsible for their evolution (iv) methods and strategies for their control (v) examples of their interaction with the host; (vi) basic principles of antimicrobial immunity.
Students who have passed the exam will be able to (acquired skills) (i) understand and analyse basic test regarding the field (ii) critically analyse issues related to evolution and diffusion of viruses and to antimicrobial immunity (iii) identify and develop key themes to build educational paths in microbiology.
The module of Bacteriology of the course of General Microbiology aims to provide the basic principles of structure, function and evolution of microbial cells, with particular regard to bacterial cells. The knowledge and skills acquired during this course will represent a framework for the study of the biotechnological applications of microorganisms and for the analysis of their impact on human health and the environment.
Students who have passed the exam will know and understand (acquired knowledge) (i) the structural and functional diversity which is present in the microbial world, (ii) the mechanisms responsible for the structure and functioning of bacterial cells, (iii) the mechanisms responsible for the evolution of bacterial species, (iv) the structure and life cycles of bacterial viruses (bacteriophages), (v) the methods and strategies for the control of microbial growth.
Students who have passed the exam will be also able to (acquired skills) (i) understand and analyse bacteriological and microbiological data, (ii) critically analyse the issues related to the evolution and diffusion of multi-resistant antibiotic bacteria, (iii) understand the experimental approaches for the study and exploitation of bacteria for biotechnological and environmental purposes, (iv) identify and develop key themes to build educational paths in microbiology.
scheda docente
materiale didattico
Introduction to and history of Microbiology
Functional diversity and distribution of microorganisms, main discoveries in the microbiology field, present and future biotechnological applications of microorganisms.
Structure and functions of bacterial cells
Structure of the prokaryotic cell. Cell division: binary fission. Cytoplasm, cytoplasmic inclusions and sub-cellular organelles. Cytoplasmic membrane and cell wall in Bacteria and Archaea. Mechanisms involved in protein secretion and cell wall biogenesis. Surface appendages: flagella and pili. Bacterial motility and chemotaxis. Cell differentiation in bacteria and sporulation. Microbial communities: biofilms. Bacterial metabolism: chemoorganotrophs, chemolithotrophs and phototrophs. Bacterial cultures and methods for bacterial cell count. Antibiotics: activity and mechanisms of action. Evolution and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance.
Bacterial genetics and regulation of gene expression
Structure of the bacterial genome. Operons. Pangenome of bacterial species. Mobile genetic elements: plasmids and transposable elements. Horizontal gene transfer: transformation, conjugation, transduction. Structure-function of bacterial RNA polymerase. Transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Examples of global regulators: catabolite repression and quorum sensing.
Bacteriophages
Structures and life cycles of bacteriophages. Genomes and replication strategies of bacteriophages. Regulation of viral genes.
Principles of bacterial taxonomy
The concept of bacterial species. Bacterial identification: culture- and molecular-based approaches. Molecular clocks and phylogenetic analysis. Characterization of complex microbial communities.
Laboratory practice
- Gram staining
- Viable cell count by plating assays
- Determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of antibiotics
- Antibiogram (Kirby-Bauer assays)
The textbook must be integrated with the slides of the lessons and the protocols of the exercises that will be provided by the teacher.
Programma
BACTERIOLOGY UNITIntroduction to and history of Microbiology
Functional diversity and distribution of microorganisms, main discoveries in the microbiology field, present and future biotechnological applications of microorganisms.
Structure and functions of bacterial cells
Structure of the prokaryotic cell. Cell division: binary fission. Cytoplasm, cytoplasmic inclusions and sub-cellular organelles. Cytoplasmic membrane and cell wall in Bacteria and Archaea. Mechanisms involved in protein secretion and cell wall biogenesis. Surface appendages: flagella and pili. Bacterial motility and chemotaxis. Cell differentiation in bacteria and sporulation. Microbial communities: biofilms. Bacterial metabolism: chemoorganotrophs, chemolithotrophs and phototrophs. Bacterial cultures and methods for bacterial cell count. Antibiotics: activity and mechanisms of action. Evolution and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance.
Bacterial genetics and regulation of gene expression
Structure of the bacterial genome. Operons. Pangenome of bacterial species. Mobile genetic elements: plasmids and transposable elements. Horizontal gene transfer: transformation, conjugation, transduction. Structure-function of bacterial RNA polymerase. Transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Examples of global regulators: catabolite repression and quorum sensing.
Bacteriophages
Structures and life cycles of bacteriophages. Genomes and replication strategies of bacteriophages. Regulation of viral genes.
Principles of bacterial taxonomy
The concept of bacterial species. Bacterial identification: culture- and molecular-based approaches. Molecular clocks and phylogenetic analysis. Characterization of complex microbial communities.
Laboratory practice
- Gram staining
- Viable cell count by plating assays
- Determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of antibiotics
- Antibiogram (Kirby-Bauer assays)
Testi Adottati
Brock. Biology of microorganisms. Madigan, Martinko, Stahl, Bender, Buckley. Pearson.The textbook must be integrated with the slides of the lessons and the protocols of the exercises that will be provided by the teacher.
Modalità Erogazione
The course is organized into lectures and laboratory exercises. In particular, 46 hours of teaching are planned for the Bacteriology unit, with 36 hours of lectures and 10 hours of laboratory exercises (with three repetitions). Frontal lessons are held weekly in the classroom and the teaching occurs through the use of power-point presentations. Attendance at lessons is not mandatory but strongly recommended.Modalità Frequenza
In person. Attendance is not mandatory but strongly recommended.Modalità Valutazione
The exam is aimed at verifying the level of knowledge and comprehension of the topics of the program and the reasoning skills developed by the student. The evaluation is expressed in thirtieths (minimum mark 18/30, maximum mark 30/30 cum laude). The exam consists of a written test (optional) and/or an oral examination. The written test includes both open and closed questions on the topics covered during lectures and laboratory exercises. Open questions are evaluated for accuracy, completeness of content as well as synthesis and elaboration skills. If the mark of the written exam is at least 18/30, the oral exam (optional) will be mainly focused on the discussion about the tests and the main mistakes made by the student. If the student does not pass or accept the mark of the written test, or if the student does not take the written test, the oral exam will cover all the topics of the course. Property of language, clarity of exposition, acquired knowledge and ability to make connections between the different topics are evaluated during the oral examination. Overall, the exam aims to verify the achievement of the objectives in terms of knowledge and comprehension of the topics, as well as communication skills.
scheda docente
materiale didattico
Characteristics and structure of viruses, stages of viral infection and replication;
Viruses classification;
Examples of DNA viruses: Papillomavirus (HPV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV);
Examples of RNA viruses: Hepatitis C virus (HCV), poliovirus, coronavirus, influenza virus;
Retroviruses and HIV;
Basic principles of immunology, immune response to infections;
viral pathogenesis;
Diagnosis of viral infections;
Antiviral drugs.
Programma
The Virology and Antimicrobial Immunity module will cover the following topics:Characteristics and structure of viruses, stages of viral infection and replication;
Viruses classification;
Examples of DNA viruses: Papillomavirus (HPV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV);
Examples of RNA viruses: Hepatitis C virus (HCV), poliovirus, coronavirus, influenza virus;
Retroviruses and HIV;
Basic principles of immunology, immune response to infections;
viral pathogenesis;
Diagnosis of viral infections;
Antiviral drugs.