Corsi di studio in
Farmacia - Chimica e tecnologia farmaceutiche

Microbiology is a discipline in constant development, including a wide range of areas such as biology, chemistry, physics, genetics, molecular biology, etc. The study of bacteria, viruses, protozoa and fungi has important implications for human health and disease and economic issues.

The purpose of this course is to offer comprehensive training in the biology pathogenic microorganisms, in the antimicrobial drugs and their use, in the host response against infectious microorganisms, in vaccines and sera. Microorganisms are often the mainly subjects of experimental genetic and biological phenomena because of their small size, rapid growth rate, and relative simplicity. Contemporary biochemical research employs microbiological and immunological methods.

At the end of the course, the student will have learned the basic microbiology mechanisms and will be able to explain them with a suitable terminology.

Frontal lesson The lessons will be streamed via the WebEx platform, according to the lesson timetable. Students will be able to enjoy deferred registrations, which will be freely available
on moodle as soon as possible. If circumstances allow, some lessons will take place in the classroom and will be streamed for students who cannot reach the venue.

Whenever possible, the exercises will take place in the classroom in small groups. 

Laboratory exercises. The microscope. The Gram stain technique. Identification of bacteriai. Microbial sensitivity testing.

CONTENTS:

    Program of the course. Principles and essential methods to study microorganisms, their isolation and identification.
    Prokaryotic and  eukaryotic microbes. Bacterial classification.
    Bacterial structure (cytoplasm, cytoplasmic membrane, chromosome, cell wall, capsule, flagella and pili)
    Metabolic reactions. Biosynthesis of specific bacterial structures.
    Bacterial nutrition. Aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, autotroph and heterotroph bacteria. Isolation of bacteria, bacterial function products, nutrient transport. Culture media, physical factors. Enrichment, isolation and identification of pathogenic bacteria.
    Differentiation of bacteria. Bacterial growth (cell division and phases of growth). Spores, L-forms bacteria.
    Microbial genetics. The types and significance of gene transfer (transformation, conjugation and transduction). Plasmids, transposons, recombinant DNA technology.
    Pathogenic bacteria and infectious diseases. Pathogenicity and virulence. Microbial toxins (endotoxins and esotoxins).
    Disinfection and sterilization. Disinfectants and antiseptics: chemical antimicrobial agents. Physical antimicrobial agents.
    Immunology and immunity. Immune response and antigens. Humoral immunity (properties of antibodies). Cell-mediated immunity. Cellular physiology of immune responses. Natural and artificial immunity (active and passive immunization). Vaccines and sera.
    Viruses: general chatacteristics. Classification and identification of viruses. Viral replication. Bacteriophages. Interferons.
    Fungi: morphology, classification, pathogenicity. The superficial and the deep mycoses.
    Antimicrobial therapy. General properties of antimicrobial agents. Mechanisms of resistance and  practical implications. Determining microbial sensitivities to antimicrobial agents. Antiviral agents, antifungal agents.
    Overview of bacteria, viruses and fungi that cause human disease. A thorough list of the common bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens.

Applied Microbiology. Microbiological control of pharmaceutical products.
Assessment of sterility, toxicity, bacterial endotoxins (pyrogens), histamine absence. Assessing whether a product is for injection. Sterility control of products antimicrobial agents. Microbiological titration of antibiotics, amino acids, vitamins, etc.

Microbiological monitoring of manufacturing processes of medicinal products.

Laboratory exercises. The microscope. The Gram stain technique. Identification of bacteria and fungi. Microbial sensitivity testing.

Teaching modalities could be varied according to the current limitations caused by the sanitary crisis. For the whole academic year, the on-line teaching modality is guaranteed

Although there are no prerequisite rules, in order to better understand microbiology
lessons, the student must have basic knowledge of chemistry, biochemistry and cell
biology, with particular attention to animal knowledge, with properties of language
and scientific mastery.

It is possible to take the exam in English