Cellular Microbiology and Immunology
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
At the end of this course the students will have a good knowledge of the main host-pathogen interaction mechanisms. The course addresses the concepts of bacterial virulence and pathogenicity, starting from the differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cellular structures, focusing on the microbial metabolism and microbial genetics, and moving to the concepts of infectious disease or foodborne diseases.
During the course we will debate the main components of the innate and adaptive immune system involved in the pathogen recognition and clearance, focusing on the main immune-escape mechanisms, and the establishment of chronic infection and inflammation.
In addition, the course will analyze the critical role that microbiota plays in human metabolism (composition and bacterial function) and health (immunological functions, promotion of intestinal homeostasis). Finally, we will further analyze the concept of dysbiosis and the Gut-brain axis, as well as, the ways in which the microbial community is perturbed in dysbiotic disease states.
During the course we will debate the main components of the innate and adaptive immune system involved in the pathogen recognition and clearance, focusing on the main immune-escape mechanisms, and the establishment of chronic infection and inflammation.
In addition, the course will analyze the critical role that microbiota plays in human metabolism (composition and bacterial function) and health (immunological functions, promotion of intestinal homeostasis). Finally, we will further analyze the concept of dysbiosis and the Gut-brain axis, as well as, the ways in which the microbial community is perturbed in dysbiotic disease states.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to describe the differences between commensal bacteria and pathogens, to understand the mechanisms of bacterial pathogenicity. In addition, students will be able to describe the role and function of the main components of innate and adaptive immune system, and to define the main mechanisms of host-pathogen interaction. Finally, students will have acquired a solid knowledge on the different pathogenic diseases caused by an altered immune response, the main evasion strategies used by pathogens to escape the immune system, and will be able to identify the most appropriate prevention or treatment strategies.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Microorganisms: taxonomy, virulence factors and pathogenicity. Role and relevance of microorganisms in foods. Foodborne diseases: virulence factors and pathogenic mechanisms, bacterial toxins, adherence and invasion mechanisms.
Innate immunity: physical and chemical barriers. Role and functions of epithelial cells and antimicrobial peptides. Macrophages and neutrophils, NETs formation, natural killer cells and dendritic cells: mechanisms of phagocytes and bacterial evasion strategies.
Antigen-presenting cells: MHC-I and MHC-II, mechanism of antigen-presentation and recognition in bacterial infections.
Adaptive immunity: CD8 and CD4 T lymphocytes. Antigen-specificity of T-cells and mechanisms used by pathogenic bacteria to avoid adaptive immunity.
Microbiota: composition, phyla and enterotypes. Gut Microbiota: microbial-microbial and host-microbial interactions. "OMICS"-technologies to study human microbiota: metagenomics and metatranscriptomics. Dysbiosis: microbiota alterations in human diseases and immune evasion strategies of pathogenic microorganisms. Analysis and characterization of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of different chronic inflammatory diseases.
Probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, genetically engineered probiotics and Fecal-microbiota Transplantation: immuno-modulatory effects and possible clinical application in Dysbiosis-associated diseases.
Gut-Brain axis and Gut-lung axis: mechanism of bidirectional communication between microbiota and the central/enteric nervous system, and lung microbiota and chronic lung inflammation. Intestinal microbiome alteration and its relationship to neurodegenerative diseases (Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's). Dysbiosis in Lung microbiota and its relationship to chronic inflammatory airways diseases (Asthma, Cystic Fibrosis, COPD).
Overview of virology, vaccines and reverse vaccinology.
Innate immunity: physical and chemical barriers. Role and functions of epithelial cells and antimicrobial peptides. Macrophages and neutrophils, NETs formation, natural killer cells and dendritic cells: mechanisms of phagocytes and bacterial evasion strategies.
Antigen-presenting cells: MHC-I and MHC-II, mechanism of antigen-presentation and recognition in bacterial infections.
Adaptive immunity: CD8 and CD4 T lymphocytes. Antigen-specificity of T-cells and mechanisms used by pathogenic bacteria to avoid adaptive immunity.
Microbiota: composition, phyla and enterotypes. Gut Microbiota: microbial-microbial and host-microbial interactions. "OMICS"-technologies to study human microbiota: metagenomics and metatranscriptomics. Dysbiosis: microbiota alterations in human diseases and immune evasion strategies of pathogenic microorganisms. Analysis and characterization of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of different chronic inflammatory diseases.
Probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, genetically engineered probiotics and Fecal-microbiota Transplantation: immuno-modulatory effects and possible clinical application in Dysbiosis-associated diseases.
Gut-Brain axis and Gut-lung axis: mechanism of bidirectional communication between microbiota and the central/enteric nervous system, and lung microbiota and chronic lung inflammation. Intestinal microbiome alteration and its relationship to neurodegenerative diseases (Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's). Dysbiosis in Lung microbiota and its relationship to chronic inflammatory airways diseases (Asthma, Cystic Fibrosis, COPD).
Overview of virology, vaccines and reverse vaccinology.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of microbiology is required.
Teaching methods
The lectures are supported by PowerPoint presentations which are made available to the students. Attendance of lectures is strongly recommended. The students are invited to actively participate in the discussion both to improve their critical skills and to re-elaborate the concepts acquired during the lessons.
Teaching Resources
The following books may be used as reference texts:
- Principi di microbiologia medica (Antonelli - Clementi - Pozzi - Rossolini)
- Biologia dei microrganismi (Dehò-Galli)
Also, all the PowerPoint presentations will be made available, together with scientific papers, as an aid to the student.
- Principi di microbiologia medica (Antonelli - Clementi - Pozzi - Rossolini)
- Biologia dei microrganismi (Dehò-Galli)
Also, all the PowerPoint presentations will be made available, together with scientific papers, as an aid to the student.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The acquisition of knowledge and the achievement of the expected learning outcomes are verified through an oral test divided in two parts. The first part consists of a PowerPoint presentation of a scientific paper chosen among those discussed during the lectures (contribution of 15% to the final evaluation). The second part aims to evaluate both the competencies of cellular microbiology, in particular on bacterial virulence and pathogenesis, as well as the competencies concerning the interactions of pathogens (bacteria and virus) with the immune system (contribution of 85% to the final evaluation).
The assessment will also take into account the ability to discuss and comment with a correct scientific language. The final grade is expressed in 30/30. The examination procedures are the same for attending and non-attending students.
The assessment will also take into account the ability to discuss and comment with a correct scientific language. The final grade is expressed in 30/30. The examination procedures are the same for attending and non-attending students.
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
10am-12pm (by email appointment)
Department of Biosciences (Scientific Buildings) - 1st floor Tower B