Molecular Virology
A.Y. 2023/2024
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
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 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
Course syllabus
Unit 'H52-48-A' - Molecular Basis of Virology.
Lectures:
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
Viruses in anti-bacterial therapy
Practices:
In vitro culture and splitting of a cell line
Cell count and procedure to freeze cell lines
In vitro infection
Cytopathic effects of different viruses on cell lines
Virus purification
Unit 'H52-48-B' - Molecular Pathogenesis of Viral Diseases.
Lectures:
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 IBR virus.
- Measurement of the abundance with quantitative PCR of mRNA of ISG related to IBR infection.
Lectures:
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
Viruses in anti-bacterial therapy
Practices:
In vitro culture and splitting of a cell line
Cell count and procedure to freeze cell lines
In vitro infection
Cytopathic effects of different viruses on cell lines
Virus purification
Unit 'H52-48-B' - Molecular Pathogenesis of Viral Diseases.
Lectures:
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 IBR virus.
- Measurement of the abundance with quantitative PCR of mRNA of ISG related to IBR infection.
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
Printouts of the slides uploaded into the ARIEL platform
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 answer and questions with closed answer, 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 exam of the Teaching Unit of Molecular Bases of Virology, which is written, and all the questions are open-ended.
For the Teaching Unit of Molecular Pathogenesis of Viral Diseases, text will be taken on the Microsoft Form platform using a MCQ approach (60 questions).
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 exam of the Teaching Unit of Molecular Bases of Virology, which is written, and all the questions are open-ended.
For the Teaching Unit of Molecular Pathogenesis of Viral Diseases, text will be taken on the Microsoft Form platform using a MCQ approach (60 questions).
Unit: Molecular Basis of Virology
VET/03 - VETERINARY PATHOLOGY
VET/05 - INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS
VET/05 - INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS
Practicals: 24 hours
Lessons: 18 hours
Lessons: 18 hours
Professor:
Turin Lauretta
Unit: Molecular pathogenesis of viral diseases
VET/03 - VETERINARY PATHOLOGY
VET/05 - INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS
VET/05 - INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS
Practicals: 12 hours
Lessons: 12 hours
Lessons: 12 hours
Professors:
Ceciliani Fabrizio, Lecchi Cristina
Educational website(s)
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