Learning objectives
The objectives of the course are to enable the acquisition of knowledge and understanding about anti-infective vaccinology, relevant existing vaccines, biotechnological vaccines (characteristics and development), existing biotechnological tools in vaccinology, main viral vectors for gene therapy and immunotherapy, and provide the ability to apply in occupational
contexts the knowledge and understanding acquired.
Prerequisites
No
Course unit content
Principles and immunological basis of vaccinology. Relevant available and experimental anti-infective vaccines. Available and experimental biotechnological vaccines and their design. Rational design. Reverse vaccinology. Recombinant bacteriophges and bacteria as vaccines and vaccine delivery veicles. Plant-based vaccines. Adjuvants and delivery systems.
Viral vectors for gene therapy and immunotherapy, architecture and packaging strategies. Strategies and mechanism of targeting and peseudotypization. Cellular transduction and expression control.
Full programme
Principles and immunological basis of vaccinology. Relevant available anti-infective vaccines (live-attenuated, killed-inactivated, subunit, purified or conjugated antigens, toxoids, recombinant) or experimental (DNA, anti-idiotypic). Biotechnological vaccines and their design: characteristics and development. Existing biotechnological vaccines (HBV, HPV, Rotavirus, polysaccharide-conjugated vaccines). Rational design. Reverse vaccinology. Recombinant bacteriophges and bacteria as vaccines and vaccine delivery veicles. Plant-based vaccines. Adjuvants and delivery systems. Viral vectors for gene therapy and immunotherapy. Retrovirus: Molecular aspects of viral replication. Architecture of following viral vectors: Oncoretrovirus (MMLV) and Lentivirus. Packaging strategies and mechanism of targeting and peseudotypization (VSV-G). Cellular transduction and expression control.
Bibliography
Iconographic material used during lectures made available to the students.
Reviews on specific topics.
References on specific subjects provided during lectures.
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 the students. Lectures will present the main conceptual frame of each subject, summoning questions or doubts from the audience.
Assessment methods and criteria
The outcomes of learning will be verified through an oral examination. Questions on the topics relating to the course will be used to test the knowledge and understanding of the student in the scientific discipline, in order to apply such knowledge and understanding in occupational contexts.
Learning outcomes will be verified through an oral examination. No interim evaluation is programmed. Questions on the topics relating to the course content will be used to test the student’s knowledge and understanding in the scientific discipline, and her/his ability to apply them in occupational contexts. Failure to answer to one question, or proven inability to demonstrate at least a basic knowledge of the subject, will prevent the successful completion of the exam. Upon successful completion of the examination, the attribution of voting will be carried out according to the degree of achievement of the objectives (excellent, good, fair, fully sufficient, barely sufficient). Full marks with laude will be reserved to students demonstrating particular communication skills and independent learning ability.
Other information
- - -
2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
- - -
