Enrollment year
2020/2021
Academic discipline
BIO/19 (GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY)
Department
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY "LAZZARO SPALLANZANI"
Course
EXPERIMENTAL AND APPLIED BIOLOGY
Curriculum
Scienze biomediche molecolari
Period
1st semester (01/10/2021 - 14/01/2022)
Lesson hours
48 lesson hours
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of microbiology, in particular cell structure, microorganism classification, and microbiology techniques; genetics, in particular gene regulation and operon structure; biochemistry, protein structure and function, enzymatic assays.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge of the molecular mechanisms through which microorganisms and viruses affect human health. To understand the different types of vaccines and their role in preventing infectious diseases. Knowledge of the scientific language to properly describe microbial pathogenesis.
Course contents
Host-pathogen interaction. Innate and adaptive immunity. Microbial pathogenesis: adhesion/invasion, Secretion Systems, iron acquisition, evasion of host defences, antigenic and phase variation, endotoxins and exotoxins. Immunotoxins. Pathogenicity Islands. Tuberculosis as a model of host-pathogen interaction. Multidrug resistance and efflux pumps. New antibacterial drugs. Quorum sensing, biofilm and bacterial persistence. Phage therapy. Animal viruses: HIV, hepatitis viruses, HPV, flu viruses, ebola and zika viruses. Vaccines: old and new approaches.
Teaching methods
Lectures with discussion with students and seminars chosen by students. Power Point presentations are used for lectures, made available to students in the section dedicated to teaching on the KIRO platform.
Reccomended or required readings
Articles and reviews.
"Bacterial pathogenesis: a molecular approach". By Wilson et al. ASM Press.
Assessment methods
At the student's choice:
- Oral exam with open questions on the entire teaching program;
- Preparation of a seminar on a topic of your choice with Power Point presentation and subsequent evaluation of the rest of the program with one / two open questions.
Evaluation expressed out of thirty.
During the lessons, numerous examples of exam questions are given.
Further information
At the student's choice:
- Oral exam with open questions on the entire teaching program;
- Preparation of a seminar on a topic of your choice with Power Point presentation and subsequent evaluation of the rest of the program with one / two open questions.
Evaluation expressed out of thirty.
During the lessons, numerous examples of exam questions are given.
Sustainable development goals - Agenda 2030
Università di Pavia - Offerta formativa