Corsi di studio in
Farmacia - Chimica e tecnologia farmaceutiche

This teaching contributes to the educational objectives of the Degree Course in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology and is aimed at providing students with fundamental knowledge relating to infectious agents. In particular, the course aims to provide students with:

-knowledge of the morphology and functions of microorganisms

-knowledge of clinical microbiology: infectious agents of medical and biotechnological interest (viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites); replicative processes, pathogenetic mechanisms and transmission routes of pathogenic infectious agents.

- introduction to an adequate medical-scientific language 

The course includes the study of the microbiological control of pharmaceutical preparations.

At the end of the course, you should be able to know the classification, structure and main biological properties of microorganisms (in particular bacteria and viruses). You will have theoretical skills on the main factors that influence the growth of microorganisms, you will be able to use the main methods to understand the importance of pathogens and non-pathogens and the cultivation of bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND. Know the importance and role of microorganisms especially in the field of human health.  Understanding of the terms and language specific to this discipline. Know the fundamental notions of microbiology, necessary to understand the modes of transmission of infections and identify appropriate means of prevention and treatment.

MAKING JUDGMENTS Understand the importance of microorganisms as simplified models applicable to the study of more complex organisms that will be addressed by the student in other disciplines.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS Ability to use microbiological language and connect the various aspects that make up microbiology

LEARNING ABILITY The student must demonstrate that he is able to:- support a cross-examination with people of equal preparation and experts in different topics of a regulatory, scientific and procedural nature; -illustrate and discuss in groups the strategies for evaluating human-microorganism interaction.

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.            Protozoa. Relationships between species: symbiosis, parasitism, coevolution. Parasite biology and action of parasites on hosts. The protozoa. Examples of protozoa: Toxoplasma, Plasmodium, Giardia.                                                                                       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.

The course is structured in 40 hours of frontal teaching and 2 hours of laboratory exercises. 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. The exercises (2 hours) will be carried out in the microbiology laboratory and include the execution of practical microbiology studies to support the theoretical concepts illustrated in the lessons. Communication with students occurs via email and requires registration on the course's Campusnet page

The program is carried out through lectures (5 CFU) with the aid of teaching material (slide projections) and practical microbiology laboratory activities. The lesson slides and in-depth materials will be uploaded from time to time on the course's Moodle page.

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

Students must register for the course. The teaching material is present on the Moodle platform with a direct link from the Course sheet. It is possible to take the exam in English. Please register for the Course

For students with DSA or disabilities, please read the procedures
University support and welcome (https://www.unito.it/servizi/lo-studio/studenti-e-studentesse-con-disabilita,