Generale Pathology, Immunology and Medical Microbiology

The integrated course of General Pathology, Immunology and Medical Microbiology aims to provide the tools to understand the molecular mechanisms and the pathogenesis of human diseases. In addition, the course will provide the bases for understanding the mechanisms of immune defenses, innate and acquired, implemented by the host. The main aim of the course in medical microbiology is to provide new and deep knowledge on structure, replication, mechanisms of pathogenesis, diagnostic procedures and therapy of viruses, bacteria and parasites of medical interest.

The students will be able to define the molecular mechanisms of human, communicable and not communicable diseases and the basis of immunity and inflammation. They will be able to recognize the causes (aetiology) and the mechanisms (pathogenesis) of diseases, and to understand and use common medical words and meanings. At the end of the course, the students will be able to recognize the structure, genomic organization, replication and pathogenesis of the most common viruses, bacteria and parasites which cause diseases in the human population. The students will be able to recognize for each pathogen prevention strategies/cure models/treatment and diagnostic procedures. Moreover, they will develop methods to investigate any disease and to critically analyze scientific publications on the field.