Learning objectives
The objectives of the Microbiology course are to enable the acquisition of knowledge and understanding about basic microbiology (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 and prevention of infectious diseases; recombinant DNA and pharmaceuticals), and provide the ability to apply in occupational contexts the knowledge and understanding acquired in the field of Microbiology.
Prerequisites
Getting through General Physiology and Biochemistry/Applied Biochemistry.
Course unit content
Origin and evolution of microorganisms and Microbiology. Different sections of Microbiology. Observation and classification of microorganisms and viruses. Structure and functions of prokaryotic cell. Growth, metabolism and cultivation of microorganisms. Methods of titration of microorganisms. Genetics of microorganisms: genetic recombination. Host-parasite relationships in infection and infectious disease. Microbial population of the human body. Mechanisms of bacterial pathogenicity and virulence. Fungi, Protozoa, Viruses, Viroids and prions. Major infectious diseases. Infection and immunity: nonspecific and specific defenses. Strategies of microorganisms and viruses to escape the immune system. Laboratory diagnosis of infectious disease. Antimicrobial and antiviral chemical and physical agents. Antimicrobial and antiviral antibiotics and/or chemotherapeutic agents: mechanism of action, resistance and sensitivity assays. Prevention of infectious diseases: Vaccines and sera. Pharmaceutical Microbiology. Biotechnology: Recombinant DNA and pharmaceutical products.
Full programme
Origin and evolution of microorganisms and Microbiology. Observation of microorganisms and viruses. Structure and functions of prokaryotic cell. Fungi. Protozoa. Viruses, viroids and prions. Growth and metabolism of microorganisms. Cultivation, titration and classification of microorganisms and viruses. Genetics of microorganisms and viruses: genetic recombination. Host-parasite relationships in infection and infectious disease. Microbial population of the human body. Pathogens and their mechanisms of pathogenicity and virulence. Mechanisms of pathogenicity of the virus. Major infectious diseases. Infections and Immunity: nonspecific and specific defenses against infection. Vaccines and sera. Strategies of microorganisms and viruses to escape the immune system. Antimicrobial chemical and physical agents. Antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoan, antiviral agents: mechanism of action, resistance and sensitivity assays. Pharmaceutical Microbiology: Microorganisms in chemical and pharmaceutical industry. Assessment of genotoxicity: Ames test. Biotechnology: Recombinant DNA and pharmaceutical products.
Bibliography
Carlone et al. - Microbiologia Farmaceutica - Editrice Edises; Iconographic material used during the lectures; Hugo-Russell - Microbiologia Farmaceutica - Editrice EMSI, Roma; Murray, Rosenthal, Kobayashi, Pfaller - Microbiologia. EdiSES, Napoli; La Placa - Principi di Microbiologia Medica - Società Editrice Esculapio, Bologna.
Teaching methods
The arguments regarding the course content will be presented and discussed through lectures, with the aid of iconographic material collected in PowerPoint files that, at the end of the course, will be made available to students. Lectures will present the main conceptual frame of each subject, summoning questions or doubts from the audience.
Assessment methods and criteria
Learning outcomes will be verified through an oral examination. Questions on the topics relating to the course will be used to test the student’s knowledge and understanding in the scientific discipline, and her/his ability to apply such knowledge and understanding in occupational contexts.
Other information
- - -
