Molecular Virology
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
Provide deep molecular knowledge in the field of veterinary virology, driving the students to understand the mechanisms of virus replication, the interaction with cells in which they replicate, the diagnosis, the pathogenesis and the strategies to control viral diseases, including zoonosis. Laboratory practices aim to grow, isolate and characterize animal viruses.
Expected learning outcomes
The student is expected to reach the following results:
Theoretical learning:
basic veterinary molecular virology
background of the main viral diseases transmitted to human from animals, and molecular and biochemical changes related to these pathologies
main techniques applied in laboratories of virology and molecular diagnostics
Practical learning:
application of in vitro methods to grow and isolate viruses
assessment of cytopathic effects due to different vituses on tissue culture
purification of viruses
application of molecular biology techniques to assess major biochemical and molecular modifications associated to viral diseases,
measurement of mRNA abundance expression and make judgements on its relationship with the effect of virus infection
assessment of the quality of a blood smear, and provide an interpretation of the results of a quantitative PCR base molecular assay.
Communication:
understand and communicate using the proper terms related to Veterinary Virology and Viral Pathology
Theoretical learning:
basic veterinary molecular virology
background of the main viral diseases transmitted to human from animals, and molecular and biochemical changes related to these pathologies
main techniques applied in laboratories of virology and molecular diagnostics
Practical learning:
application of in vitro methods to grow and isolate viruses
assessment of cytopathic effects due to different vituses on tissue culture
purification of viruses
application of molecular biology techniques to assess major biochemical and molecular modifications associated to viral diseases,
measurement of mRNA abundance expression and make judgements on its relationship with the effect of virus infection
assessment of the quality of a blood smear, and provide an interpretation of the results of a quantitative PCR base molecular assay.
Communication:
understand and communicate using the proper terms related to Veterinary Virology and Viral Pathology
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
A. MOLECULAR BASES OF VIROLOGY
Lectures:
Structure and composition of animal viruses
In vitro and in vivo characteristics of viral infections
Methods to study and purify viruses
Diagnostic virology
How to grow viruses: animals, embryonated eggs and cell cultures
Anti-viral immune response
Anti-viral therapy
Viruses in gene therapy
Seminars will be part of some classes
Practices:
In vitro culture and splitting of cell lines; cell count and procedure to freeze cell lines; In vitro infection and evaluation of cytopathic effects of different viruses on cell lines. Virus purification
Practice in soft skills for science and technology communication is stimulated through one-to-one and one-to-class discussions and presentations.
B. MOLECULAR PATHOGENESIS OF VIRAL DISEASES
Lecture nr 1 - General concepts in the pathogenesis of viral diseases
Lecture nr 2 - The Immune response to viral infection
Lecture nr 3 - Emerging viral zoonosis
Lecture nr 4 - Coronavirus-related diseases: SARS and COVID-19
Lecture nr 5 - Filovirus-related diseases: Ebola and Marburg
Lecture nr 6 - Animal and human immunodeficiency viruses
Lecture nr 7 - Influenza viruses
Lecture nr 8 - Virus and cancer
Practices:
- Purification of Mononuclear cells from bovine blood and Infection of Mononuclear cells with inactivated livestock virus.
- Measurement of the abundance with quantitative PCR of mRNA of ISG related to viral livestock infection.
- Soft skill in communication of scientific and technological innovation: the students will be asked to prepare a team presentation on major issues related to scientific and technological communications, with focus on fake news and misleading communication in animal disease transmitted to humans. Each student will also be asked to present a work-team presentation on the molecular pathogenesis of the most emerging viral zoonosis not included in the course.
- Soft skills in Bioinformatics vs data science - a joint class on application of system biology, using a case study approach, on the pathogenesis of viral diseases of veterinary interest. Students will apply their knowledge on OMICS to draft an experimental design on viral diseases of livestock, and identify the main changes using bioinformatics tools.
Lectures:
Structure and composition of animal viruses
In vitro and in vivo characteristics of viral infections
Methods to study and purify viruses
Diagnostic virology
How to grow viruses: animals, embryonated eggs and cell cultures
Anti-viral immune response
Anti-viral therapy
Viruses in gene therapy
Seminars will be part of some classes
Practices:
In vitro culture and splitting of cell lines; cell count and procedure to freeze cell lines; In vitro infection and evaluation of cytopathic effects of different viruses on cell lines. Virus purification
Practice in soft skills for science and technology communication is stimulated through one-to-one and one-to-class discussions and presentations.
B. MOLECULAR PATHOGENESIS OF VIRAL DISEASES
Lecture nr 1 - General concepts in the pathogenesis of viral diseases
Lecture nr 2 - The Immune response to viral infection
Lecture nr 3 - Emerging viral zoonosis
Lecture nr 4 - Coronavirus-related diseases: SARS and COVID-19
Lecture nr 5 - Filovirus-related diseases: Ebola and Marburg
Lecture nr 6 - Animal and human immunodeficiency viruses
Lecture nr 7 - Influenza viruses
Lecture nr 8 - Virus and cancer
Practices:
- Purification of Mononuclear cells from bovine blood and Infection of Mononuclear cells with inactivated livestock virus.
- Measurement of the abundance with quantitative PCR of mRNA of ISG related to viral livestock infection.
- Soft skill in communication of scientific and technological innovation: the students will be asked to prepare a team presentation on major issues related to scientific and technological communications, with focus on fake news and misleading communication in animal disease transmitted to humans. Each student will also be asked to present a work-team presentation on the molecular pathogenesis of the most emerging viral zoonosis not included in the course.
- Soft skills in Bioinformatics vs data science - a joint class on application of system biology, using a case study approach, on the pathogenesis of viral diseases of veterinary interest. Students will apply their knowledge on OMICS to draft an experimental design on viral diseases of livestock, and identify the main changes using bioinformatics tools.
Prerequisites for admission
None
Teaching methods
Classes "in presence"
Practices "in presence"
Printouts and recorded lectures uploaded into the ARIEL platform
Practices "in presence"
Printouts and recorded lectures uploaded into the ARIEL platform
Teaching Resources
Handouts will be provided by the teacher through MyARIEL website.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The obtainment of the expected learning outcomes by the student are assessed by a written examination based on questions with open answers and Multiple Choice Questions, which include also the description of the practical activity.
The evaluation parameters include correctness of the answers, comprehension of the topics, ability to connect them and propriety of language.
The grade is expressed in thirtieths, and it is communicated to the student by e-mail within a couple of days from the end of the written exam.
The evaluation parameters include correctness of the answers, comprehension of the topics, ability to connect them and propriety of language.
The grade is expressed in thirtieths, and it is communicated to the student by e-mail within a couple of days from the end of the written exam.
VET/03 - VETERINARY PATHOLOGY - University credits: 3
VET/05 - INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS - University credits: 5
VET/05 - INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS - University credits: 5
Practicals: 36 hours
Lessons: 30 hours
Lessons: 30 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
After scheduling via mail
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences- Room 172
Reception:
upon appointment
Via dell'Università 6, Lodi
Reception:
Monday 9:00 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Polo Lodi