18607 - Applied Microbiology and Virology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has the tools to critically assess the impact that the spread, control, manipulation and emergence of 'old' and 'new' microorganisms have on human health and society. Through the study of complex microorganism-host interactions, the student is able to understand and describe the dynamics of infectious processes, pathogenic mechanisms and the main strategies of antiviral and antibacterial prophylaxis and therapy, with particular reference to common or relevant pathologies. The student is also able to best illustrate and discuss the main survey techniques used in basic research and microbiological diagnostics, as well as the main applications of biotechnology in the biomedical field.

Course contents

Microbial interactions: relationships of symbiosis (human microbiota) and relationships of pathogenicity.

Main groups of pathogenic microorganisms.

Control of microbial infections: antimicrobial agents.

Therapeutic manipulation of the microbiota: probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics and functional foods.

Analysis of microbial communities using culture and molecular methods.

Omics technologies: genomics and proteomics.

Biotechnology and microbial metabolism.

Genetic improvement of microorganisms.

Primary microbial metabolites: amino acids and vitamins.

Secondary microbial metabolites: antibiotics.

Organic acids produced by microorganisms: lactic acid.

Microbial enzymes.

Microbial bioconversions using enzymes and immobilized cells.

Laboratory: microscopy, isolation and identification of probiotic microorganisms from foods and supplements, extraction of genomic DNA from a bacterial culture, amplification of the 16S rRNA gene, sequence analysis by comparison with databases, MIC determination of an antibiotic.

Readings/Bibliography

Brock. Biology of Microorganisms (Madigan, Martinko, Stahl, Clark). Pearson.

Biotecnologie Microbiche. Stefano Donadio e Gennaro Marino. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.

Microbiologia Sistematica, Ambientale ed Industriale. M. Willey, M. Sherwood, J. Woolverton. MvGray-Hill.

Teaching methods

• frontal lessons
• laboratory experiences
• scientific articles presentation (interactive)

Assessment methods

• multiple-choice written test to evaluate the learning of the principles behind microbiological and molecular techniques used during the laboratory course;
• presentation of an essay (individual or group) on a scientific article on the issues covered in the course;
• written/oral examination at the appeals set in the examination windows for the verification of theoretical content.

All tests will be evaluated with a score in thirty-one. The final vote will take into account the score achieved in all tests.

Teaching tools

• slides uploaded to IOL
• laboratory protocols loaded on IOL
• Teams platform

Office hours

See the website of Beatrice Vitali