Ateneo - UPO

Refer to the contents of the modules of the Integrated Course

Refer to the recommended textbooks for the individual modules of the Integrated Course

At the end of the course the students must be able to reach:

Specific training objectives that can be measured and reachable within the foreseen time frame; microbiology is a discipline in continuous development, a science in which other disciplines such as molecular biology, chemistry and biochemistry, genetics, etc. converge. The course aims to provide students with the opportunity to make connections between disciplines and elements sufficient to understand the biology of the main microorganisms and microbial habitats. The course aims to train students on the different aspects of general and medical microbiology, with particular reference to the structural and molecular organization and to the functions of prokaryotic, eukaryotic and virus organisms and their pathogenetic mechanisms.
The student will acquire theoretical knowledge about the general and special characters of prokaryotic microorganisms (bacteria), eukaryotes (fungi and protozoa) and viruses. The course provides students with in-depth knowledge of the world of microorganisms so as to understand the positive and harmful interactions between microorganism and man. The course also provides theoretical and practical knowledge of the basic methodologies of the microbiological laboratory to allow the student the elements to choose to use and apply the appropriate methods of analysis for the diagnosis of infectious diseases.
The course presents an in-depth study on the issues related to the relationship between the human body and microorganisms, using a medical perspective. Infections caused by some important human pathogens will be analyzed, with particular reference to the molecular mechanisms involved. Finally, the main diagnostic techniques used to identify the most important pathogens will be presented.

Acquire knowledge in the context of the functioning of the immune system at the level of natural and acquired (adaptive) immunity, also able to understand the mechanisms of immuno-avoidance, vaccination practices and the etiology and pathogenesis of allergic and autoimmune diseases.

For the understanding of the course, students must be posses a minimum set of basic principles of cellular biology, chemistry, genetic, immunology and microbiology (minimal knowledge). They must also possess an English knowledge at level B1. Specific prerequisites are not foreseen.

All the didactic material is uploaded on the website https://www.dir.uniupo.it/
The teaching methods used in the course are represented by:
- Presentations in MS-Power Point format
- Projection of Peer Reviewed Scientific Video Journals (JoVE)
- Use of the fast and fun "Kahoot" learning platform useful for on-going verification of learning
- Theoretical-practical laboratory exercises of Microbioogy useful to encourage students in their role as active participants

The integrated course includes 5 ECTS in Microbiology (44 h):
- 32h of theoretical lectures, held in the classroom through the use of power-point slides, classic blackboard and Kahoot platform, on all the topics of the course. Five credits of Immunology, for a total of 40 hours of lessons. Lessons include a continuous direct verification in the classroom of the level of understanding of the various topics covered through dialogue, questions and kahoot in order to stimulate the motivation, curiosity, critical spirit, autonomy and involvement in the learning processes of the students.
- 12h of theoretical-practical exercises in the didactic laboratory, the latter repeated in groups of about 30 people). These exercises allow students to put into practice and therefore apply the main microbiological issues and methodologies addressed in class.

Email coordinator of the integrated course: barbara.azzimonti@med.uniupo.it

The teacher, at the end of the lessons or after contacting an email, is available to discuss any doubts concerning the topics of the course.
The teacher receives the students, by appointment, in his office at the CAAD, Department of Health Sciences, Corso Trieste 15 A, 28100 Novara.

At the end of the course the exam will be simulated

Given the large number of students (groups A + B), the final evaluation test consists of a written and oral exam, on the pre-established dates of the sessions. The questions concern all the topics covered during classroom lessons and practical laboratory exercises.
The objective of the exam consists in verifying the level of achievement of the previously indicated educational objectives and in the ability to communicate and critically elaborate in writing the topics learned in Italian with language appropriateness (correct use of technical-scientific terms ).
The exam is also used to assess the acquisition of knowledge, the ability to organize an articulated response with clarity, the synthesis and appropriateness of language and the analytical / critical approach of the student towards the concepts learned during the course.
A moment will be dedicated to the correction of written assignments during which each student will be enabled to recognize the mistakes made and identify the correct answers

The bacterial cell: organization and structure. Division and growth. Bacterial metabolism.
Resident microbial flora: the microbiota.
Principles of bacterial virulence: Bacterial toxins: exotoxins and endotoxins; the spore; the capsule; the pili and the scourges; enzymes; the siderophores; the bacterial biofilm.
Mechanisms of gene transfer: conjugation, transformation, transduction, transposition.
Basics of the main pathogenic bacteria: Staphylococci, Streptococci, Enterobacteriaceae, Clostridia, Mycobacteria, Neisseria, Pseudomonas, A. Baumannii, Pneumococci, Chlamydia and Helicobacteria.
Viruses: organization and structure, cultivation and multiplication, pathogenicity.
Basics of the main pathogenic viruses (these topics will be explored during the Master's Degree in the Course of Molecular Virology): Hepadnavirus and other viruses causing hepatitis, Herpesvirus, Papillomavirus, Orthomyxovirus, Retrovirus.
Basics of subviral agents: prions.
Basics on eukaryotic microorganisms: the protists.
Control of microbial growth: Disinfection and sterilization; antibiotics; natural antimicrobials; antiviral drugs; resistance mechanisms (superbugs).
Vaccines: anti-polio, -meningitis, -difteritis, -tetanica, -pertosse, -rosolia, -HPV, -hepatitis, -influenza, -morbillo, -varicella.
The immune response against infections. Aspecifica: inflammation, phagocytes, phagocytosis and killing, complement; Specification: humoral and cell-mediated. Evasion of immune response by microorganisms.
Exercises

Theoretical (visual experiments)
Laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases (microbiological techniques): plating of bacteria on solid media (selective, differential, selective / differential); Gram and Ziehl-Neelsen staining; Calculation of plaque forming units (CFU); tests of bacterial viability (XTT / MTT, Live / Dead assay, infrared assay); Biofilm analysis using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM); immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry; fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH); plaque assay; replica plate; the antibiogram, ELISA, PCR in microbiology.

Practices: plating, identification of bacterial species, Gram and Ziehl-Neelsen stains, antibiogram, calculation of CFU and evaluation of bacterial metabolic activity by XTT assay

IMMUNOLOGY
-General information on the immune system, non-specific and specific, natural and acquired (adaptive) immunity. -Cells of the immune system. Receptors and mediators of innate immunity. - Organs of the immune system. -Antigens-Antibodies. Structure and function of antibodies and antibody classes. Characteristics of antigens recognized by B lymphocytes. Apteni. BCR structure and signal transduction. -The complement system. Classical, alternative, lectinic way. Complement receptors and inhibitors. - Monoclonal antibodies and laboratory techniques. Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. Immunofluorescence, Western blot, RIA, ELISA, immunodiffusion. -TCR and MHC Molecules. Structure of TCR and MHC molecules. Nomenclature and genetics of the HLA system. Antigen presentation (endocytic route, cytosolic route, cross-presentation, lipid route). CD3 and CD4 and CD8 coreceptors, signal transduction for the activation of T lymphocytes. - Antigen presenting cells. Type, function, second signal. CD28, CTLA-4 and PD-1. -Generation of the B receptor repertoire. Rearrangement of Ig genes. Antigen-independent and antigen-dependent maturation of B lymphocytes. -Generation of the T receptor repertoire. Thymic maturation of effector T lymphocytes and natural regulatory T lymphocytes. - Cytokines. Generalities, structure and function, receptors, signal transduction. - Cell-mediated helper, regulatory and cytotoxic activities. Th1, Th2, Th17, natural and induced Treg, CTL, NK, NKT, Tγδ. -Immuno avoidance. Immuno-avoidance mechanisms of infectious agents and tumors. - Passive and active immunization. Traditional and new generation vaccines. - Hypersensitivity I, II, III, IV type. Etiology, pathogenesis, examples. - Autoimmune diseases. Pathogenesis (antibody-mediated, cell-mediated). Etiology (triggering factors, predisposing factors).

LEARNING, KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: At the end of the course, the student should demonstrate knowledge of the structure, substructure and biological properties of bacteria, viruses and fungi and to have understood, within the time frame provided for by the course, the main mechanisms underlying the infectious processes that cause of human pathology and of the immune response. It should also demonstrate knowledge of the main techniques used in bacteriological and virological diagnostics.
ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: The student should have acquired skills in the field of medical microbiology and immunology to be able to apply them in laboratory practice.
TRANSVERSAL SKILLS: The student must also be able to have AUTONOMY OF JUDGMENT and ABILITY to COMMUNICATE and motivate in writing and in practice his procedural / experimental choices
Molecular foundations of immunology also in relation to applications in the field of diagnostics and therapy. Cellular and molecular basis of the alterations of the immune and inflammatory response.