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
Biochemstry, molecula biology, microbiology.
Course unit content
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.
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.
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 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.
The same rules will be applied for online examination
Other information
- - -
