B9212 - INTERAZIONI MICROORGANISMI - OSPITE E PROBIOTICI

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide students with a general understanding of interactions between microorganisms and their host. Particular attention will be given to symbiotic and commensal relationships involving the human microbiota, as well as to the dynamics of infectious processes. Students will acquire knowledge of the main antimicrobial prophylactic and therapeutic strategies and of biotherapeutic approaches based on microbiota modulation. Furthermore, students will be able to describe and discuss the principal technologies used for the characterization of human microbial ecosystems and health-promoting microorganisms (probiotics), as well as the most important applications of microbial biotechnology in nutrition.

Course contents

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of general microbiology.

Module I: Lectures

1. Microbial Interactions

• Mutualistic and commensal relationships: human microbiota/microbiome
• Opportunistic and pathogenic relationships: microbial pathogenesis and virulence factors

2. Control of Microbial Infections

• Antimicrobial agents: classification and mechanisms of action

3. Beneficial Microorganisms

• Biotherapeutic manipulation of the microbiota
• Probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics

4. Analysis of Complex Microbial Communities

• Introduction to taxonomy and phylogeny
• Culture-based methods
• Molecular methods

5. Omics Technologies Used in Microbiology

• Genomics
• Transcriptomics
• Proteomics

6. Microbial Biotechnology and Metabolism

Module II: Practical Activities

Review of scientific articles.

The practical component consists of individual or small-group work (2–3 students) involving the selection, study, and analysis of a scientific article related to the course topics, followed by in-class group activities for sharing results and collective discussion.

Readings/Bibliography

Recommended Texts

• Brock Biology of Microorganisms (General, Environmental and Industrial Microbiology). Pearson.
• Biotecnologie Microbiche (Microbial Biotechnology), Stefano Donadio and Gennaro Marino. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.
• Microbiologia Sistematica, Ambientale ed Industriale (Systematic, Environmental and Industrial Microbiology), M. Willey, M. Sherwood, J. Woolverton. McGraw-Hill.
• Scientific articles selected, analyzed, and discussed during the practical module.

Teaching methods

• Lectures
• Independent study
• Group work
• Classroom practical activities (scientific article review)

Assessment methods

• Scientific Article Presentation (50% of final grade)

Students will give an individual or group presentation on a scientific article related to the course topics during the practical module. Each presentation, including discussion, will last approximately 45 minutes.

• Oral Examination (50% of final grade)

An oral examination will be held during the official examination sessions to assess both theoretical knowledge and practical activities. Each oral examination will last approximately 30 minutes.

Both assessments will be graded on a 30-point scale. The final grade will be the average of the scores obtained in the two assessments.

Students with Specific Learning Disabilities or Temporary/Permanent Disabilities are encouraged to contact the University Office responsible for disability and SLD support in due time (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it ). The office will propose any necessary accommodations, which must be submitted to the instructor at least 15 days in advance for approval and evaluation in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). With regard to the scientific article presentation, limited, declared, and non-substantial use of AI is permitted for support activities (e.g., graphical summaries and text reformulation). Substantial use of AI to complete parts of the assessment is not allowed.

Teaching tools

• Lecture slides uploaded to the VIRTUALE platform and made available by the instructor
• Analysis of scientific articles and collaborative/interactive presentations
• AI tools may be a useful tool to support studying and the preparation of the scientific article assignment (for further exploration and graphical summaries).

Office hours

See the website of Beatrice Vitali