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, students will have learned the fundamental information relating to the morphology, replication and pathogenesis of bacteria, viruses and fungi. In particular, students will know the structure and physiology of prokaryotic cells, the genomic organization, the growth mode of bacteria, viruses and fungi and the tools to control and measure growth, interaction with the host and the bases of prevention/treatment of infectious diseases caused by microorganisms.                                                                        Moreover, also thanks to the optional attendance of the laboratory, the students will be able to set up pure cultures of bacteria, analyze their growth, recognize, describe and distinguish Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and moulds.

The lessons (40 hours) will take place in the classroom according to the time of the lessons. Students will be able to use the slides and material available on the moodle platform.

Students will be involved in actively participating in the discussion during the lessons.

Similarly, the exercises (2 hours) will be carried out in the laboratory and include the execution of practical microbiology studies to support the theoretical concepts illustrated in the lectures.

The program is carried out through lectures (5 CFU) with the teaching material (slide projections) and practical laboratory activities of bacteriology. 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 monitoring of manufacturing processes of medicinal products.
Laboratory exercises. The microscope. The Gram stain technique. Identification of bacteria and fungi. Microbial sensitivity testing.

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

Please register for the Course