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:

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.

By the end of the course, students should be able to achieve specific, measurable learning outcomes within the expected timeframe. Microbiology is a continuously evolving discipline and an interdisciplinary science that integrates knowledge from molecular biology, chemistry and biochemistry, genetics, and other related fields. The course is designed to enable students to establish connections among these disciplines and to provide them with the necessary background to understand the biology of the main groups of microorganisms and microbial habitats. The course aims to train students in the various aspects of General and Medical Microbiology, with particular emphasis on the structural and molecular organization and functions of prokaryotic organisms, eukaryotic microorganisms, and viruses, as well as their pathogenic mechanisms. Students will acquire theoretical knowledge of the general and specific characteristics of prokaryotic microorganisms (bacteria), eukaryotic microorganisms (fungi and protozoa), and viruses. The course provides an in-depth understanding of the microbial world, enabling students to appreciate both the beneficial and harmful interactions between microorganisms and humans. Infections caused by major human pathogens will be examined, with particular attention to the molecular mechanisms involved in pathogenesis. The knowledge acquired in this course is integrated with the theoretical and practical competencies related to the basic methodologies of the microbiology laboratory covered in the Microbiology Laboratory course. Together, these learning experiences provide students with the skills necessary to independently select, apply, and interpret appropriate analytical methods for the diagnosis of infectious diseases

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENT To fully understand the course content, enrolled students are expected to possess a basic background in the fundamental principles of cell biology, chemistry, genetics, immunology, and microbiology (minimum prerequisite knowledge). Students are also required to have English language proficiency at a B1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). To be eligible to take the final examination, students must: have completed and passed the mandatory safety training courses; have passed the General and Inorganic Chemistry examination; have completed the course evaluation questionnaires; have attended at least 75% of the scheduled Microbiology laboratory sessions; be in good standing with the payment of university tuition and fees.

Contact Information

Instructor email: barbara.azzimonti@uniupo.it

Additional resources:

• Applied Microbiology Lab (CAAD)
• UPOBook – Barbara Azzimonti
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At the end of each lecture, or by prior email arrangement, the instructor is available to discuss any questions regarding the course topics or the examination procedures.

Students may meet with the instructor by appointment at her office located at the CAAD, Department of Health Sciences, Corso Trieste 15a, 28100 Novara, Italy.

At the end of the course, a mock examination will be conducted to familiarize students with the format and requirements of the final assessment.

To be eligible to sit the final examination, students must:

• Have completed and passed the mandatory laboratory safety training courses.
• Have successfully passed the examination in General and Inorganic Chemistry.
• Have completed the course evaluation questionnaires relating to the instructor and the course.
• Have attended at least 75% of the scheduled Microbiology laboratory activities. Attendance below this threshold will preclude admission to the final examination.
• Be in good standing with the payment of university tuition and fees.

Assessment Methods

The final assessment consists of a written examination in Italian, administered on the scheduled examination dates. The examination comprises 64 multiple-choice questions, each with one correct answer.

Of the 64 questions:

• 60 questions concern topics covered during the lectures.
• 4 questions concern the theoretical and practical aspects addressed during the laboratory activities.

A maximum score of 32 points can be achieved by answering all questions correctly (0.5 points per question), corresponding to 30/30 with Honors (cum laude).

Students who obtain a grade of at least 18/30 and wish to improve their mark or qualify for cum laude may take a short oral examination in either Italian or English.

The purpose of the examination is to assess the extent to which students have achieved the intended learning outcomes, as well as their ability to understand, process, and critically communicate the acquired knowledge in written Italian using appropriate scientific and technical terminology.

The examination is also designed to evaluate students’ knowledge acquisition, their ability to organize clear and structured responses, their skills in synthesis and effective scientific communication, and their analytical and critical approach to the concepts covered during the course.

A dedicated review session will be organized following the examination, during which students will have the opportunity to identify and understand any mistakes made and to discuss the correct answers.

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.