Microbiologia Molecolare
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide participants with a broad understanding of molecular microbiology and the molecular basis of diseases relevant to veterinary medicine and animal sciences. It will also provide students with information on the main inflammatory and immune reactions against pathogens, which will be described at the molecular level, and on the main molecular mechanisms associated with pathogens related to microbial pathogenicity.
Expected learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to gain knowledge in the molecular biology of microbes and how microbes can cause disease in organisms.
Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze and synthesize knowledge of molecular microbiology, as well as antibiotic resistance strategies and escape from the host's immune system
Students will deepen biostatistical analysis skills and modern digital technologies for information research, data analysis, and microbiological and health monitoring.
Students will acquire specialized skills in microbiology, immunology and molecular pathology, and in particular:
- The ability to use bioinformatics analysis systems through their application to the interpretation of the results obtained from genomic and proteomic analysis experiments.
- Knowledge of the basic pathogenetic mechanisms related to infectious diseases and immunopathology
- Transversal skills in Bioinformatics and data analysis.
Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze and synthesize knowledge of molecular microbiology, as well as antibiotic resistance strategies and escape from the host's immune system
Students will deepen biostatistical analysis skills and modern digital technologies for information research, data analysis, and microbiological and health monitoring.
Students will acquire specialized skills in microbiology, immunology and molecular pathology, and in particular:
- The ability to use bioinformatics analysis systems through their application to the interpretation of the results obtained from genomic and proteomic analysis experiments.
- Knowledge of the basic pathogenetic mechanisms related to infectious diseases and immunopathology
- Transversal skills in Bioinformatics and data analysis.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course is organized into three areas:
A) Molecular aspects of the microorganism-host interaction;
B) Molecular basis of microbial pathogenicity;
C) Molecular pathology (English languiage)
A) Molecular aspects of the microorganism-host interaction.
Theoretical part:
General aspects of microorganism-host interaction - 2 hours.
Molecular aspects of the host's immune system - 2 hours.
Receptors of innate immunity and adaptive immunity: the molecules that recognise an antigen and activate signal transduction - 2 hours.
Methods of studying the microorganism-host interaction 2- hours.
Bacteria-host interactions - 2 hours.
Virus-host interactions - 2 hours.
B) Molecular basis of microbial pathogenicity;
Introduction to the course: Genetic mechanisms in pathogenicity - 2 hours.
Virulence factors: techniques for identification and their characteristics - 2 hours.
Virulence and its regulation: secretion systems and quorum sensing- 2 hours.
Molecular strategies for escape from the host immune system- 2 hours
Antibiotics and resistance: Pathogenic microorganisms of veterinary interest - 2 hours.
New strategies in pathogenicity control: the microbiome and its modulation - 2 hours
Practical part: bioinformatics methods applied to the study of microbial pathogenicity - 8 hours
Seminars held by researchers inside and/or outside the department engaged in microbiology research projects.- 4 hours
C) Molecular Pathology
Theoretical part:
The molecular basis of cellular adaptation and pathology - 2 hours
Cell damage and cell death - 2 hours
Necrosis - 2 hours
Apoptosis - 2 hours
Pyroptosis - 2 hours
Necroptosis and netosis - 2 hours
Basics of inflammation and pathogen recognition - 2 hours
Danger signals from innate immune cells - 2 hours
Pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMP) and 1 damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) - 2 hours
Toll-like receptors and other pattern recognition receptors (PRRs).
The primary inflammatory mediators against microbial pathogens and their role in the inflammatory response - 2 hours
Immunopathology and immunity as a cause of disease - 2 hours
Hypersensitivity disorders. Immediate and delayed allergic reactions - 2 hours
Practical part:
Basic haematological techniques: preparation of immunohistochemical techniques - 2 hours
Basic staining with particular reference to the identification of blood cells - 2 hours
Cellular pathology: purification of the main cell population from blood: granulocytes - 2 hours
A) Molecular aspects of the microorganism-host interaction;
B) Molecular basis of microbial pathogenicity;
C) Molecular pathology (English languiage)
A) Molecular aspects of the microorganism-host interaction.
Theoretical part:
General aspects of microorganism-host interaction - 2 hours.
Molecular aspects of the host's immune system - 2 hours.
Receptors of innate immunity and adaptive immunity: the molecules that recognise an antigen and activate signal transduction - 2 hours.
Methods of studying the microorganism-host interaction 2- hours.
Bacteria-host interactions - 2 hours.
Virus-host interactions - 2 hours.
B) Molecular basis of microbial pathogenicity;
Introduction to the course: Genetic mechanisms in pathogenicity - 2 hours.
Virulence factors: techniques for identification and their characteristics - 2 hours.
Virulence and its regulation: secretion systems and quorum sensing- 2 hours.
Molecular strategies for escape from the host immune system- 2 hours
Antibiotics and resistance: Pathogenic microorganisms of veterinary interest - 2 hours.
New strategies in pathogenicity control: the microbiome and its modulation - 2 hours
Practical part: bioinformatics methods applied to the study of microbial pathogenicity - 8 hours
Seminars held by researchers inside and/or outside the department engaged in microbiology research projects.- 4 hours
C) Molecular Pathology
Theoretical part:
The molecular basis of cellular adaptation and pathology - 2 hours
Cell damage and cell death - 2 hours
Necrosis - 2 hours
Apoptosis - 2 hours
Pyroptosis - 2 hours
Necroptosis and netosis - 2 hours
Basics of inflammation and pathogen recognition - 2 hours
Danger signals from innate immune cells - 2 hours
Pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMP) and 1 damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) - 2 hours
Toll-like receptors and other pattern recognition receptors (PRRs).
The primary inflammatory mediators against microbial pathogens and their role in the inflammatory response - 2 hours
Immunopathology and immunity as a cause of disease - 2 hours
Hypersensitivity disorders. Immediate and delayed allergic reactions - 2 hours
Practical part:
Basic haematological techniques: preparation of immunohistochemical techniques - 2 hours
Basic staining with particular reference to the identification of blood cells - 2 hours
Cellular pathology: purification of the main cell population from blood: granulocytes - 2 hours
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, general pathology, basic microbiology and basic molecular diagnostic techniques.
Teaching methods
Lectures and practices.
The lessons are available through the ARIEL platform and are updated every year.
The exercises will be a combination of seminars, digital, and practical sessions, conducted in the computer room and laboratory. Proteomics and transcriptomics case studies of infectious diseases of veterinary interest will be analysed through a group work approach. Students will be trained in bioinformatics analysis using the most common pipelines to characterise the main pathways involved in the molecular pathogenesis of specific infectious diseases.
The lessons are available through the ARIEL platform and are updated every year.
The exercises will be a combination of seminars, digital, and practical sessions, conducted in the computer room and laboratory. Proteomics and transcriptomics case studies of infectious diseases of veterinary interest will be analysed through a group work approach. Students will be trained in bioinformatics analysis using the most common pipelines to characterise the main pathways involved in the molecular pathogenesis of specific infectious diseases.
Teaching Resources
The slides of the course will be uploaded on the ARIEL learning platform
Assessment methods and Criteria
The course exam is written with questions related to the three areas of the course, on the Moodle platform. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions (one correct answer, 4 options to choose from). Each question on the exam will be taken exclusively from the material provided in class and practice, and will be made available on the ARIEL platform.
Students have the option of breaking down the exam into a mid-term exam and a final exam, of 64 MCQ each, or take the exam in a single exam, of 128 MCQ. 0.5 points will be awarded for each positive response. The exam lasts 1 hour for the intermediate exams and two hours for the overall exam. The result of the intermediate test will be valid only for the first exam session.
Students have the option of breaking down the exam into a mid-term exam and a final exam, of 64 MCQ each, or take the exam in a single exam, of 128 MCQ. 0.5 points will be awarded for each positive response. The exam lasts 1 hour for the intermediate exams and two hours for the overall exam. The result of the intermediate test will be valid only for the first exam session.
BIO/19 - MICROBIOLOGY - University credits: 3
MED/04 - EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY - University credits: 4
MED/07 - MICROBIOLOGY AND CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY - University credits: 3
MED/04 - EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY - University credits: 4
MED/07 - MICROBIOLOGY AND CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY - University credits: 3
Practicals: 36 hours
Lessons: 42 hours
Lessons: 42 hours
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