Molecular Microbiology

ntroduction
The in-depth knowledge of the microbiological profile, health monitoring modalities and
techniques are fundamental to the experimental design and must therefore be concerted, designed
and integrated by the collaboration between veterinary biotechnologist and the different
professionals pertaining to the research project to design the study.
The course is organized into three topics:
A) Molecular aspects of microorganism-host interaction;
B) Molecular bases of microbial pathogenicity;
C) Molecular Pathology.
A) Molecular aspects of microorganism-host interaction.
Theoretical part: General aspects of microorganism-host interaction. Molecular aspects of the
host immune system. Receptors: the molecules that recognize antigen and activate signal
transduction. Methods of studying microorganism-host interaction Bacteria-host interactions
Virus-host interactions
Exercises: Receptors for pathogens: isolation and molecular characterization: analysis of
nucleotide sequences and primer design, extraction of nucleic acids from biological material,
purification and characterization of nucleic acids. Discussion and critical analysis of results to
improve the use of scientific language.
Reference Material: The material to be studied is provided directly by the lecturer before the
lectures through the MyAriel Platform.
B) Molecular basis of microbial pathogenicity;
Theoretical part: Introduction to the course Genetic mechanisms in pathogenicity Virulence
factors: techniques for 'identification and their characteristics Virulence and its regulation:
secretion systems and quorum sensing Molecular strategies for evasion from the host immune
system Antibiotics and resistance Pathogenic microorganisms of veterinary interest New
strategies in the control of pathogenicity: the microbiome and its modulation
Practical part: bioinformatics methods applied to the study of microbial pathogenicity. Seminars:
seminars will be conducted on some topics by researchers from within and/or outside the
department engaged in research projects in microbiology.
Reference Materials: Bibliography and other teaching materials / Readings.
C) Molecular Pathology
Theoretical part:
- The molecular bases of cell adaptation and pathology. Cell damage and cell death: necrosis,
apoptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis and netosis
- The inflammation and the main cell involved
The recognition of pathogens and danger signals by innate immune cells: pathogen-associated
molecular patterns (PAMPs), damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), Toll-like
receptors and other pattern recognition receptors (PRR).
The main inflammatory mediators against microbial pathogens, including complement,
cytokines and their role in the inflammatory response.
- Immunopathology and Immunity as a cause of disease
a. Hypersensitivity disorders. Allergic reactions of an immediate type and delayed type
c. Autoimmunity and autoimmune diseases
d. Congenital and non infectious acquired immunodeficiency syndromes. Immunodeficiencies
due to Ig deficiency; deficiency of T, B or combined lymphocytes; phagocyte deficiency;
deficiency of complement components.
Practicals:
A) Basical hemathology techniques: the student will be trained in preparing slides, and in the
basic staining techniques. Students will learn how to identify white blood cells
B) cell biology: purification of main cell population from blood: granulocytes and mononuclear
Cells,
C) Soft skills on Bionformatics vs data analysis. Case studies on proteomics and transcriptomics of
infectious diseases of veterinary interest will be analysed in a team-work approach: Students will
be trained in bioinformatics analysis using the most common pipelines to characterise the major
pathways involved in the molecular pathogenesis of the specific infectious disease.


PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS NOT ATTENDING The COURSE: Theoretical and practicallectures will be made available online as that of attending students.