Cellular Microbiology and Immunology

At the end of this course the students will have a good knowledge of the main host-pathogen interaction mechanisms. The course addresses the concepts of bacterial virulence and pathogenicity, starting from the differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cellular structures, focusing on the microbial metabolism and microbial genetics, and moving to the concepts of infectious disease or foodborne diseases.
During the course we will debate the main components of the innate and adaptive immune system involved in the pathogen recognition and clearance, focusing on the main immune-escape mechanisms, and the establishment of chronic infection and inflammation.
In addition, the course will analyze the critical role that microbiota plays in human metabolism (composition and bacterial function) and health (immunological functions, promotion of intestinal homeostasis). Finally, we will further analyze the concept of dysbiosis and the Gut-brain axis, as well as, the ways in which the microbial community is perturbed in dysbiotic disease states.

At the end of the course, students will be able to describe the differences between commensal bacteria and pathogens, to understand the mechanisms of bacterial pathogenicity. In addition, students will be able to describe the role and function of the main components of innate and adaptive immune system, and to define the main mechanisms of host-pathogen interaction. Finally, students will have acquired a solid knowledge on the different pathogenic diseases caused by an altered immune response, the main evasion strategies used by pathogens to escape the immune system, and will be able to identify the most appropriate prevention or treatment strategies.