Molecular Virology

A.Y. 2019/2020
8
Max ECTS
66
Overall hours
SSD
VET/03 VET/05
Language
English
Learning objectives
Provide deep 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, and to to identify and measure the abundance of Interferon Stimulated Genes in white blood cells infected by inactivated virus.
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  
Single course

This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
ATTENDING STUDENTS
Unita' didattica: Molecular Basis of Virology
Course syllabus
Theoretical classes:
Structure and composition of animal viruses
In vitro and in vivo characteristics of viral infections
Methods to study and to 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

Laboratory classes:
In vitro culture and splitting of a cell line
Cell count and procedure to freeze cell lines
In vitro infection
Cytopatic effects of different viruses on cell lines
Virus purification
Unita' didattica: Molecular pathogenesis of viral diseases
Course syllabus
Lectures:
1. Viral pathogenesis
2. Immune Response to Viral Infections
3. SARS Corona viruses
4. Filoviruses : Ebola and Marburg
5. HIV
6. Influenza viruses

Seminars:
1. Emerging viral diseases
2. Herpes viruses

Practices
- Infection of bovine monocytes with BVD virus. The students will carry out an experimental infection of bovine monocytes with the virus of BVD. Bovine will be purified and infected with viruses. Cytopathic effects will be identified, and the expression of proteins involved in immune reaction will be assessed
- Histopathology of viral infections
NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
Unita' didattica: Molecular Basis of Virology
Course syllabus
Theoretical classes:
Structure and composition of animal viruses
In vitro and in vivo characteristics of viral infections
Methods to study and to 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

Laboratory classes:
In vitro culture and splitting of a cell line
Cell count and procedure to freeze cell lines
In vitro infection
Cytopatic effects of different viruses on cell lines
Virus purification
Unita' didattica: Molecular pathogenesis of viral diseases
Course syllabus
Lectures:
1. Viral pathogenesis
2. Immune Response to Viral Infections
3. SARS Corona viruses
4. Filoviruses : Ebola and Marburg
5. HIV
6. Influenza viruses

Seminars:
1. Emerging viral diseases
2. Herpes viruses

PRACTICES
Scientific papers focused on the topics practiced during the course will be uploaded on the ARIEL platform. The student will be asked to deliver a short writtne presentation of the papers during the exam.
Unita' didattica: Molecular Basis of Virology
VET/03 - VETERINARY PATHOLOGY
VET/05 - INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS
Practicals: 24 hours
Lessons: 18 hours
Professor: Turin Lauretta
Shifts:
-
Professor: Turin Lauretta
Unita' didattica: Molecular pathogenesis of viral diseases
VET/03 - VETERINARY PATHOLOGY
VET/05 - INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS
Practicals: 12 hours
Lessons: 12 hours
Professor: Ceciliani Fabrizio
Shifts:
-
Professor: Ceciliani Fabrizio
Professor(s)
Reception:
After scheduling via mail
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences- Room 172
Reception:
Monday 9:00 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Polo Lodi