Ateneo - UPO

Consistent with the specific educational objectives of the Degree Programme (CdS), as reported in the SUA-CdS, Section A4.a, the course contents are described below:

FUNDAMENTALS OF IMMUNOLOGY
Cells and organs of the immune system.
Antigens-Antibodies.
Complement.
Monoclonal antibodies and laboratory technique.
TCR and MHC.
Antigen presenting cells.
B and T cell maturation.
Cytokines.
Functions of T and NK cells.
Immunological memory.
Immunoelusion.
Passive and active immunization.
Hypersensibility.
Autoimmune diseases.

MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
The bacterial cell
The human microbiota
Principles of bacterial virulence
Mechanisms of gene transfer
Pathogenic bacteria
Viruses
Pathogenic viruses
Prions.
Eukaryotic microorganisms
Control of microbial growth
Vaccines
The immune response against infections (overview)

MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY
Laboratory theory
Direct analysis of bacterial and viral infections
Indirect analysis of bacterial and viral infections

Practical laboratory
Indirect viability assay
Antibiogram
Plate inoculation
Gram staining
Catalase test
API test

1) Dianzani-Pucillo, Immunologia e Immunopatologia. Edi Hermes, 2022
2) Coico, Immunologia in percorso breve, Edi.Ermes, 2018
3) Murphy, Immunobiologia di Janeway. Piccin, 2017
4) Antonelli G., Clementi M., Pozzi G., Rossolini G.M. – Principi di Microbiologia medica, IV edizione, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, 2022. Dati bibliografici: Edizione: IV, Anno: 2022, ISBN: 978-88-08-69981-7, Pagine: 864. Formato: volume unico con e-book
5) Pearson– Murray P.R., Rosenthal K.S., Pfaller M.A. – Microbiologia medica
(edizione italiana Pearson, traduzione di Medical Microbiology)
6) Carroll K.C., Morse S.A., Mietzner T.A., Miller S. et al. – Microbiologia medica. Jawetz, Melnick & Adelberg’s. Casa Editrice Piccin, XXVII edizione, 2017.

Acquire knowledge of the functioning of the immune system, including both innate and adaptive immunity, in order to understand mechanisms of immune evasion, vaccination practices, and the etiology and pathogenesis of allergic and autoimmune diseases.
Describe the structure, organization, and main functions of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses.
Understand the mechanisms of microbial growth, survival, adaptation, and pathogenicity.
Analyze the interactions between microorganisms, the human host, and the environment, distinguishing between their beneficial and harmful effects.
Identify the major etiological agents of infectious diseases and understand their pathogenic mechanisms.
Integrate knowledge of microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry to interpret microbiological phenomena of biomedical relevance.
Understand the principles of the main microbiological laboratory methodologies and their application in the diagnosis of infectious diseases.
Select and appropriately apply basic microbiological techniques for the analysis and identification of microorganisms.
Understand the principles of the main microbiological laboratory methodologies and their application in the diagnosis of infectious diseases.
Select and appropriately apply basic microbiological techniques for the analysis and identification of microorganisms.
Apply biosafety regulations and standard operating procedures used in microbiology laboratories.
Correctly perform sampling, dilution, inoculation, and microbial isolation techniques.
Properly use the basic instrumentation and equipment of a microbiology laboratory.
Observe and interpret the morphological and cultural characteristics of major microorganisms of medical interest.
Perform and interpret basic microbiological staining procedures (e.g., Gram staining).
Understand the principles of the main microbiological diagnostic methods, including culture-based and molecular techniques.
Determine and interpret antimicrobial susceptibility through the critical evaluation of antibiogram results.
Analyze, process, and discuss experimental data obtained during laboratory activities.
Understand the role of laboratory microbiology in the diagnosis, prevention, and monitoring of infectious diseases.

Knowledge of the fundamentals of cell biology, genetics, chemistry, and microbiology (minimum required background knowledge). English language proficiency at B1 level.

To be eligible to take the examination, students must:

- Have completed the teaching evaluation questionnaires.
- Be up to date with the payment of university fees.

To attend the Microbiology Laboratory, students must also:

- Have completed and passed the mandatory safety training courses.
- Have passed the examination in General and Inorganic Chemistry.
- Have attended at least 75% of the scheduled Microbiology Laboratory sessions.

Lectures supported by slide presentations.

FUNDAMENTALS OF IMMUNOLOGY
Course slides and narrated slide presentations are made available to students.
Interactive learning is promoted through the discussion of scientific articles and the opportunity to attend Immunology laboratory activities.

MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY
Teaching materials are available on the lecturer’s webpage: DIR UPO Teaching Portal
Use of peer-reviewed scientific video journals (JoVE).
Use of the Kahoot! learning platform to support formative assessment and monitor students’ progress throughout the course.
Mandatory attendance of the Microbiology Laboratory course, including theoretical and practical laboratory exercises designed to encourage active student participation and engagement.

Le studentesse e gli studenti con disabilità o con Disturbi Specifici dell’Apprendimento (DSA) o con Bisogni Educativi Speciali (BES) possono richiedere servizi e strumenti specifici a loro dedicati rivolgendosi allo Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti e consultando la pagina dedicata del sito di Ateneo: https://uniupo.it/it/servizi/servizi studentesse-e-studenti-condizione-di-disabilit%C3%A0-e-dsa. Gli/Le studenti/esse con disabilità, DSA, BES, una volta preso contatto con lo Staff di Ateneo, possono contattare il/la docente titolare dell'insegnamento in relazione alla declinazione delle modalità di esame ed in merito agli aspetti didattici.

Lecturers are available to meet with students by appointment
At the end of the Medical Microbiology course, a mock examination will be conducted to familiarize students with the format and requirements of the final assessment.

The integrated course is of 10 CFU: 5 for Immunology and 5 for Medical Microbiology and Microbiology Laboratory

Fundamentals of Immunology (group A)
written text: four open questions

Fundamentals of Immunology (group B)
30 multiple-choice questions (single correct answer): 5 questions on laboratory techniques, 15 questions on basic immunology, and 10 questions on immunopathology.

Medical Microbiology
32 multiple-choice questions (single correct answer): 2 questions on laboratory techniques and 30 on medical microbiology.
Answering all questions correctly yields a total of 32 points = 30 *cum laude*

The exam aims to assess the extent to which the previously stated learning objectives have been achieved
A session will be dedicated to reviewing the exams, allowing each student to identify any errors made and determine the correct answers.

-Immune system. Innate and adaptive immunity. -Cells of the immune system. Receptors and mediators of innate immunity. -Organs of the immune system. -Antigens-Antibodies. Structure and function of the antibodies and antibody isotypes. Features of B cell antigens. Aptens. BCR structure and signaling. -Complement. Classic, alternative, lectinic pathway. Receptors and inhibitors. -Monoclonal antibodies and laboratory techniques. Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. Immunofluorescence, Western blot, RIA, ELISA, immunodiffusion. -TCR and MHC. Structure and function. The HLA system. Antigen presentation (endocytic, cytosolic, lipid pathways, cross-presentation). CD3, CD4, CD8, function and signaling. -Antigen presenting cells. Cell types, function second signal. CD28, CTLA-4 and PD-1. -B cell repertoire. Ig gene rearrangement. Antigen-independent and antigen-dependent maturation of B cells. -T cell repertoire. Thymic maturation of conventional and regulatory T cells. -Cytokines. Structure, function, receptors and signaling. -Helper and cytotoxic activities aof T cells. Th1, Th2, Th17, natural and induced Treg, CTL, NK, NKT, Tγδ. -Immune evasion. Mechanisms of immune evasion of infectious agents and tumors. -Passive and active immunization. Vaccines. -Type I, II, III, IV hypersensivity. Etiology, pathogenesis, examples. -Autoimmune diseases. Etiology, pathogenesis, examples.

The bacterial cell: organization and structure. Essential and accessory structures. Cell division and growth. Bacterial metabolism. Resident microbial flora: the human microbiota. Principles of bacterial virulence: toxins (exotoxins and endotoxins); spores; capsules; pili and flagella; enzymes; siderophores; bacterial biofilms. Mechanisms of gene transfer: conjugation, transformation, transduction, and transposition. Basic concepts of the main pathogenic bacteria: genera Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Enterobacter, Clostridium, Mycobacterium, Neisseria, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), Chlamydia, and Helicobacter. Viruses: organization and structure, cultivation and replication, pathogenicity. Basic concepts of the main pathogenic viruses: Hepadnaviruses, Herpesviruses, Papillomaviruses, Orthomyxoviruses, Retroviruses, and Coronaviruses. Basic concepts of subviral agents: prions. Basic concepts of eukaryotic microorganisms: protists. Control of microbial growth: disinfection and sterilization; antibiotics; natural antimicrobials; antiviral drugs; superbugs and antibiotic resistance. Vaccines: polio, meningitis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, rubella, HPV, hepatitis, influenza, measles, and varicella vaccines. The immune response against infections (overview): Innate immunity: inflammation, phagocytes, phagocytosis and microbial killing, complement system. Adaptive immunity: humoral and cell-mediated responses. Microbial evasion of the immune response.

MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY
LABORATORY THEORY
DIRECT ANALYSIS
**Bacterial Infections**
* Culture isolation (selective [S], differential [D], and selective-differential [S/D] media; inoculation techniques; Gram, Ziehl–Neelsen, and Kinyoun staining methods).
* Microscopic analysis (bright-field, dark-field, phase-contrast, and fluorescence microscopy).
* Microbial identification.
* Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (antibiogram).
* Cell viability assays: XTT, MTT, Live/Dead assays, and colony-forming unit (CFU) enumeration.
* Biochemical tests: catalase, oxidase, and general enzymatic assays.
* Biofilm identification and characterization techniques.
* Gene transfer techniques (bacterial transformation).

**Viral Infections**
* Viral isolation in susceptible and permissive eukaryotic cell cultures.
* Microscopic analysis (light and electron microscopy).
* Viral identification.
* Viral titration.
* Plaque assay.

RAPID DIRECT ANALYSIS
**Molecular Tests**
* Detection and quantification of genetic sequences by PCR, PCR-based variants, and hybridization with specific probes.
* Genomic identification by Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH).
* Antigen detection by agglutination, hemagglutination, capsular swelling (Quellung reaction), immunofluorescence (IF), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and Western blot (WB).

INDIRECT ANALYSIS
* Complement fixation test.
* Agglutination tests.
* Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
* Immunofluorescence assays (IF).
* Methodologies for the study of the human microbiota and microbiome.

PRACTICAL LABORATORY
* Indirect cell viability assay using Alamar Blue.
* Determination of colony-forming units (CFU).
* Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (antibiogram).
* Inoculation on selective and/or differential culture media.
* Gram staining.
* Catalase test.
* API identification system.

Molecular and cellular foundations of the immune response and lymphocyte development.
Structure, substructure, and biological properties of bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Key mechanisms underlying infectious processes that cause human disease.

Skills in medical microbiology applicable to laboratory practice.
Independent judgment, communication skills (oral and written) using technical terminology, and the ability to keep knowledge up to date.