Molecular Microbiology

Theoretical classes:
General aspects of microorganism-host interactions
Molecular aspects of microorganism-host interactions
Receptors: the antigen recognition molecules
Bacteria-host interactions
Virus-host interactions

Practical classes:
Isolation and characterization of pattern recognition receptors

Teaching unit: Molecular basis of microbial pathogenicity:
Theoretical part:
Course Introduction
genetic mechanisms in pathogenicity
The virulence factors: techniques for the 'identification and their characteristics
Virulence and its regulation: secretion systems and quorum sensing
molecular strategies for evasion of the host's immune system
antibiotics and microbial resistance
pathogenic microorganisms in veterinary field
New strategies to control the pathogenicity : the microbiome and its modulation

EXERCISES:
bioinformatics methods applied to the study of microbial pathogenicity
SEMINARS:
the seminars will be conducted by internal researchers and / or by external collaborators working in the microbiological and related field.

The number of laboratory animal models in comparative research has expanded in quantity thanks to the application of biotechnologies to laboratory rodents that have permitted the creation of transgenic animals. Scientific personnel of various disciplines are involved in the production and study of laboratory animal models. These different professions need to integrate their specialties in team based collaboration.
Objective of the course is to provide the students of biotechnological sciences with insights to the adequate approach to the comprhenesion of most utilized animal models . The course will illustrate and explain major comparative spontaneous and experimental models of disease from the perspective of pathology

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Teaching objectives of the course are to provide the students with the technical and cultural knowledge to the understanding of anatomic pathology of laboratory animals. The course provides information on major spontaneous disease of laboratory rodents, of genetically modified mice and the use of laboratory rodents in research from the perspective of the anatomical pathologist.

ORGANIZATION OF THE COURSE:
The course will be held by the responsible aided by pathologists working in different fields with laboratory animals (academia, private research centers, pharmaceutical industry, contract laboratories).

LECTURES:
· The role of the veterinary pathologist in laboratory animal studies
· Most utilized animal models.
· Transgenic mice: production and characterization.
· Trangenic mouse models of infecitous diseases.
· Principles of phenotyping of transgenic mice
· Nomenclature of mouse strains and genetically modified mice.
· Main spontaneous diseases (environmental, aging, infectious, neoplastic) in laboratory rodents
· Main diseases of rodent laboratory strains
· Immune deficient mice: infectious diseases

PRACTICAL TEACHING:
Most practical teaching will be performed at the microscope and seminars held by specialists of the filed.