Ateneo - UPO

Consistent with the specific training objectives of the CdS, reported in the SUA-CdS, framework A4.a, the contents are described below:
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

Recommended texts:
- Principi di Microbiologia medica. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana. Antonelli, Clementi, Pozzi, Rossolini, III edizione
- Microbiologia medica. Piccin, Carrol, Morse, Mietzner, Miller, ventisettesima edizione

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.

For the understanding of the course, students must be possess 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 educational material is uploaded on the site https://www.dir.uniupo.it/
The teaching methods used by the course are represented by:
- Presentations in MS-Power Point format
- Screening of Peer Reviewed Scientific Video Journals (JoVE)
- Use of the fast and fun "Kahoot" learning platform useful for ongoing assessment of learning
- Laboratory theoretical-practical exercises to encourage students in their role as active participants

The course of 5 total CFU (44 h) is organized as follows:
- 32 hours of theoretical lectures, conducted in the classroom using power-point slides, classic blackboard and Kahoot platform, on all course topics. These lessons include a continuous direct examination in the classroom of the level of understanding of the various topics dealt with through dialogue, questions and kahoot in order to stimulate motivation, curiosity, critical spirit, autonomy and involvement in the learning processes of students.
- 12 hours of theoretical-practical exercises in the didactic laboratory;these ones replicated 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.
For practical exercises students are divided into groups of about 25 people.

Email: barbara.azzimonti@med.uniupo.it

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

At the end of the course the exam will be simulated

Since the number of students is very high (groups A + B), the final evaluation test consists of a written exam, on the pre-established dates of the exams, as follows:
- Questions
- Statements to be indicated as V / F (1.5 points) and motivated in 4-5 lines (4 points),
The sum of the two scores must not be less than 18; the maximum achievable score is 30 cum laude.
The questions focus on all the topics developed during the 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 language with appropriateness of language (correct use of technical-scientific terms).
The examination also serves to evaluate the acquisition of knowledge, the ability to organize a structured response with clear 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 devoted to the correction of the written exams in which each student will be able to recognize its mistakes 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

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 have understood, within the time frame, the main mechanisms underlying the infectious processes cause of human pathology. 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 that can be applied in laboratory practice.
TRANSVERSAL SKILLS: The student must also be able to have JUDGMENT AUTONOMY and SKILLS to COMMUNICATE and motivate in writing and in practice his / her procedural / experimental choices.