67006 - General Virology and Microbiology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student has the fundamental concepts that define the organization and metabolism of prokaryotes as well as the main phylogenetic and physiological correlations of Bacteria and Archaea in natural environments and in biotechnological applications. The student also possesses the basic concepts of virus structure and replication as well as bacterial growth and exchanges of genetic material between prokaryotic cells in order to understand the recombination mechanisms.

Course contents

Module 1 – Microbiology and Lab (Beatrice Vitali)

 Theoretical Program (2 CFU, 16 hours in-class)

Basic principles of microbiology

Principles of microscopy

Microbial evolution and diversity

Structure and functions of prokaryotic cells

Microbial growth and influencing factors

Microbial metabolism and regulation

Laboratory Program (1 CFU, 12 hours of lab over 3 sessions)

Transfer and streaking of a bacterial culture

Microbial counting from an environmental or food sample

Microscopy techniques

Gram staining

Bacterial growth curve analysis

Module 2 – Microbiology (Marco Oggioni)

Program (3 CFU, 24 hours in-class)

Chemoorganotrophy: respiration and fermentation

Phototrophy and chemoorganotrophy

Genetic organization: genes, operons, and regulons

Microbial genomes

Gene exchange mechanisms

Mobile genetic elements

Methods of sterilization, disinfection, and antibiotic drugs

Antibiotic resistance

Pathogenicity and infection

Module 3 – Virology (Elisa Avitabile)

Program (2 CFU, 16 hours in-class)

Structure, composition, and classification of animal, plant, and bacterial viruses

Viral genome, capsid, and envelope. Structure–function relationships

Mechanisms of viral penetration into host cells (bacteriophages, plant and animal viruses)

Phases of the viral replication cycle

Virus–cell interaction: infection outcomes, cultivation, and quantification of viruses

Replicative strategies of RNA viruses (e.g., picornavirus – positive-sense ssRNA)

Replicative strategies of DNA viruses (e.g., herpesvirus – dsDNA viruses)

Replicative strategies of retrovirusesViruses around us: the virosphere

Readings/Bibliography

Brock. Biologia dei microrganismi. Microbiologia generale, ambientale e industriale • Pearson.

Prescott. Microbiologia generale. McGray-Hill.

Teaching methods

The course consists of 8 CFUs divided as follows:

Module 1: 2 CFUs of Microbiology (theroretical) + 1 CFU of Laboratory (3 sessions)

Module 2: 3 CFU of Microbiology (theoretical)  

Module 3: 2 CFUs of Virology (theoretical)

As concerns the teaching methods of this course unit, all students (including all the international incoming exchange students, i.e. ERASMUS) must attend Module 1, 2 online [https://www.unibo.it/it/servizi-e-opportunita/salute-e-assistenza/salute-e-sicurezza/sicurezza-e-salute-nei-luoghi-di-studio-e-tirocinio], while Module 3 on health and safety is to be attended in class. Information about Module 3 attendance schedule is available on the website of your degree programme ("studiare"--"formazione obbligatoria su sicurezza e salute").

Assessment methods

Knowledge is assessed through written tests on the EOL platform.

At least 6 exam sessions are offered per academic year.

Each quiz consists of 48 multiple-choice questions, divided according to the teaching modules:

• 18 questions for Module I (microbiology + laboratory)

• 18 questions for Module II (microbiology)

• 12 questions for Module III (virology)

Each question has 4 possible answers, with only one correct. There is no penalty for incorrect answers. The test duration is 50 minutes.

Quiz scores are expressed out of 31 (31 = 30 cum laude) and are provided immediately upon completion of the exam. The student may accept the grade or retake the quiz in subsequent exam sessions.

Exam dates will be published on Almaesami.

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

Lecture presentations will be made available online (on the virtual platform) or directly in class.

Course topics are presented to students in PowerPoint format (available on the VIRTUAL platform).

Laboratory activities (Module I) take place at the laboratories on Via San Donato 19/2, Bologna. A detailed manual describing lab procedures is also provided.

Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders (DSA) may request assistance through the dedicated service (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it ).

Office hours

See the website of Beatrice Vitali

See the website of Marco Rinaldo Oggioni

See the website of Elisa Avitabile