Learning objectives
Acquisition of essential knowledge about: bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses; host-pathogen interactions and pathogenesis of infectious diseases; mechanisms of action and use of common antimicrobial and antiviral agents; host immune response to infectious agents.
Prerequisites
Getting through Fisiologia Generale and Biochimica/Biochimica Applicata
Course unit content
Origins and evolution of microorganisms and Microbiology
Microscopic observation of microorganisms and viruses
Classification of microorganisms and viruses
Structure and functions of prokaryotic cell
Fungi
Protozoa
Viruses
Viroids and prions
Microbial growth and metabolism
Microbial and viral cultivation
Methods for microbial count
Microbial genetics
- Exchange of genetic information among bacteria
Host-pathogen interactions
Normal flora of humans
Microbial pathogenicity and potential virulence factors
Viral pathogenesis
Common infectious diseases
Infection and immunity
- Innate defenses and specific immunity
Microbial strategies to escape host immune system
Antibiotics and synthetic antimicrobial and antiviral agents
Pharmaceutical microbiology
- Applications of microorganisms in chemical and pharmaceutical industry
- Evaluation of mutagenic potency of chemical compounds: the Ames test
Pharmaceutical biotechnology: pharmaceutical products and recombinant DNA technology
Bibliography
N. CARLONE. Microbiologia Farmaceutica, Società Editrice EdiSES, Napoli.
M. LA PLACA. Principi di Microbiologia Medica, Società Editrice Esculapio, Bologna.
M. Bendinelli, C. Chezzi, G. Dettori, N. Manca, G. Morace, L. Polonelli, M. A. Tufano. Microbiologia Medica. Gli agenti infettivi dell'uomo: biologia, azione patogena, laboratorio. Monduzzi Editore.
