Industrial pharmacy

LUCIA NENCIONI
MARIA ELENA MARCOCCI

General expected learning outcomes
The course aims to deepen the microbiological knowledge required to screen synthetic or naturally occurring molecules with potential antimicrobial activity in in vitro models. The course also aims to provide skills for the design of new pharmaceutical forms with antimicrobial activity.

Specific expected learning outcomes
1. Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student will acquire skills to perform the main cytotoxicity, microbial count, and viral titration assays, to test molecules with potential antimicrobial activity. Furthermore, the student will be able to suggest potential therapeutic targets, useful for the pharmacological treatment of infectious diseases.

2. Applying knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student will acquire skills in the main microbiological and virological, cellular and molecular biology techniques through practical laboratory exercises.
In addition, the student will acquire skills in the development of potential new drugs with antimicrobial activity, based on multidisciplinary expertise.

3. Making judgements
Lessons and laboratory exercises will be interactive. The student will be stimulated to develop a critical sense, to make critical judgements, to collect and interpret experimental data and to follow the biosafety rules to be used in the laboratory.

4. Communication skills
At the end of the course, the student will be able to use an appropriate technical-scientific language, which will allow him/her to communicate correctly on the topics covered, also with non-specialists and professionals from other disciplines.

5. Learning skills
At the end of the course, the student will acquire the ability to critically and independently investigate the various topics addressed during lessons and practical laboratory activities in specialized texts and by consulting sector-specific databases and platforms.

For a good comprehension of the topics and to achieve the learning objectives, it is important that the student will have acquired knowledge on general microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, pathology and pharmacology

Cytotoxicity test
Cell culture, cell count and cell viability, Trypan blue test
Cell proliferation assays (MTT)
Quantification of cellular proteins (Bradford method)

Compounds with antimicrobial activity
Antibiotics and chemotherapy (mechanisms of action and resistance).
Antifungal agents (mechanisms of action and resistance).
Antivirals (mechanisms of action and resistance).

Antimicrobial activity assays
Methods for microbial count, colony forming units (CFU), MIC, bacterial growth curve.
Classic methods for viral titration: TCID50, plaque forming units (PFU), hemagglutination assay
Molecular methods for the detection of viral genome: methods of DNA amplification (PCR and Real Time PCR)
Methods for the detection of microbial antigens and of cellular proteins expression by biochemical and immunofluorescence techniques.

Calculation of CC50, IC50 and SI (selectivity index)

Carlone N., Pompei R. “Microbiologia Farmaceutica” II ed. EdiSES
Madigan MT., Martinko JM., Stahl DA., Clark DP. “Brock - Biologia dei Microrganismi” vol. 2-3 Pearson

Front lectures by using slides in PowerPoint as a telematic support and practical laboratory exercises organized in small groups. At the beginning of each lesson the topics discussed in the previous lesson will be discussed and pointed out in order to allow the student to verify his / her knowledge and the complete comprehension of the topics addressed. The frequency of the course and participation in the laboratory exercises are optional even if strongly recommended.
The student will find on the e-learning platform the slides and teaching materials (exam program, recommended texts) useful for the preparation of the exam. The slides are an aid to the study, and should not replace the recommended texts and lectures given by the teacher.

Attendance at lessons and at laboratory activities are not mandatory but strongly recommended.

The exam consists of an oral test in which the student will present a report in power point of a topic described at lesson and demonstrate the acquisition of a good knowledge of all the topics covered in class. The elements taken into consideration for the evaluation are: the knowledge of the subject, the use of an appropriate language, the attendance to lectures and practical laboratory exercises, the ability to reason and the ability to expose the topics in a critical and exhaustive way. Sufficient knowledge of the topics covered, in the various parts of the program, is required for passing the exam with minimum grades. To achieve a score of 30/30 cum laude, the student must demonstrate the acquisition of an excellent knowledge of all the topics covered during the course, being able to link them in a logical and consistent way. The student must also demonstrate that he/she has adequately studied the topic chosen for the thesis, by consulting official websites and reading international publications in English.

as scheduled