Learning objectives
The course aims to allow the student to know and understand basic notions and updated scientific knowledge about anti-infective vaccinology, relevant existing vaccines, biotechnological vaccines (characteristics and development), existing biotechnological tools in vaccinology, and provide the ability to use in occupational contexts the knowledge and understanding acquired in the field.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
Principles and immunological basis of vaccinology. Relevant anti-infective available or experimental vaccines. Biotechnological vaccines and their design. Routes of administration. Adjuvants.
Full programme
Introduction: principles and immunological basis of vaccinology.
Adjuvants. Routes of administration.
Main available anti-infective vaccines: live-attenuated (smallpox, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, influenza, typhoid fever), killed-inactivated (poliomyelitis, influenza, hepatitis A), anatoxins (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis), subunits, purified antigens.
Rational design, biotechnological vaccines and their design (polysaccharide-conjugate Ags, recombinant Ags).
Main available biotechnological vaccines: HBV, HPV, rotavirus, polysaccharide-conjugated vaccines (Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae).
Reverse (anti-N. meningitidis group B vaccine) and stuctural vaccinology.
Anti-influenza vaccines (egg-based, cell-based, recombinant).
Calendar of vaccinations in Italy.
Gene vaccines (DNA, RNA).
Plant-based vaccines.
Recombinant bacteriophges and bacteria as vaccines and vaccine delivery vectors; viral vectors.
Relevant unresolved issues: experimental anti-fungal vaccines; malaria, ebola, HCV and HIV.
During the course, potential applications of biotechnology against SARS-CoV-2 will be described.
Bibliography
Iconographic material used during lectures. Reviews on specific topics. References on specific subjects provided during lectures.
Teaching methods
Lectures supported by visual aids will be used to present and discuss, with broad reference to practical approaches, the contents of the course.
Lectures will be held on-site, unless otherwise indicated by the University. Supporting material will be available on the specific, student-reserved platform (Elly) and will include slide presentations and audio-video aids.
Assessment methods and criteria
The assessment of the achievement of the objectives foreseen by the course will be carried out through an oral examination. Questions on the topics relating to the course will be used to verify whether the student has achieved the objective of knowledge and understanding the scientific discipline and is able to use the technical-scientific language in an appropriate manner and to apply in occupational contexts the knowledge acquired. Failure to answer to one question, or proven inability to demonstrate at least a basic knowledge on the subject, will prevent the successful completion of the exam. Upon successful completion of the examination, a grade, expressed in thirtieths, will be attributed according to the degree of achievement of the objectives (excellent, good, fair, fully sufficient, barely sufficient). The honors will be given to students who have demonstrated high communication skills and autonomous learning. The result of the examination is communicated immediately to the student, and, after its immediate acceptance, is then published on the ESSE3 portal (https://unipr.esse3.cineca.it/Home.do).
Other information
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