PHARMACEUTICAL MICROBIOLOGY

Course objectives

General expected learning outcomes The course is aimed at deepening microbiological knowledge useful for the preparation of new drugs and their quality control and for microbiological control of cosmetics, mineral water, and food. The aim of the course is also to provide expertise for planning scientific research for the discovery of therapeutic targets against human pathogens. Specific expected learning outcomes 1. Knowledge and understanding The student will acquire skills to identify and to isolate the main human pathogens using the main classical microbiological, virological and molecular biology techniques, employed by diagnostic and research laboratories. Furthermore, the student will be able to suggest potential therapeutic targets, useful for the pharmacological treatment of various infectious diseases. 2. Applying knowledge and understanding The student will be able to recognize the different microorganisms, to quantify the bacterial and viral load, and to perform the main sterilisation and biosafety procedures. The student will also be able to apply the main microbiological quality tests used in the cosmetics and pharmaceutic industry as well as in water and food control. 3. Making judgements Lessons and laboratory exercises will be interactive. During the lessons the teacher will pursue an effective question strategy to capture students' attention, foster student involvement, and facilitate a positive, active learning environment. The student will be stimulated to analyse experimental data related to course topics. 4. Communication skills At the end of the course the student will be able to use an appropriate technical-scientific language to communicate correctly on the topics covered, even with non-specialists or professionals from other disciplines. 5. Learning skills The course is aimed at facilitating a critical and autonomous in-depth study of the topics covered in specialized texts and through consultation of databases and sector-specific platforms.

Channel 1
ROSANNA PAPA Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
Antimicrobial agents Antibiotics and chemotherapeutic molecules (antimicrobial activity, mechanism of action and drug resistance). Antifungal agents (antimicrobial activity, mechanism of action and drug resistance). Antiviral compounds (antiviral activity, mechanism of action and drug resistance). Industrial production of antibiotics. Methods for determination of antibiotics resistance (antibiogram). Disinfectants, antiseptics, preservatives for cosmetic formulations. Probiotics. Vaccines and serum Characteristics of vaccines, immunomodulators and serum. Microbiological control of drugs, cosmetics, water and food Principles of sterilization. Microbial control of drugs: LAL test Microbiological control of water and food Microbiological control of cosmetics: challenge test Genetic engineering and biotechnology
Prerequisites
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, pathology, pharmacology and biochemistry
Books
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
Frequency
Attendance at lessons and at laboratory activities are not mandatory but strongly recommended.
Exam mode
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 acquisiton 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.
Lesson mode
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.
ROSANNA PAPA Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
Antimicrobial agents Antibiotics and chemotherapeutic molecules (antimicrobial activity, mechanism of action and drug resistance). Antifungal agents (antimicrobial activity, mechanism of action and drug resistance). Antiviral compounds (antiviral activity, mechanism of action and drug resistance). Industrial production of antibiotics. Methods for determination of antibiotics resistance (antibiogram). Disinfectants, antiseptics, preservatives for cosmetic formulations. Probiotics. Vaccines and serum Characteristics of vaccines, immunomodulators and serum. Microbiological control of drugs, cosmetics, water and food Principles of sterilization. Microbial control of drugs: LAL test Microbiological control of water and food Microbiological control of cosmetics: challenge test Genetic engineering and biotechnology
Prerequisites
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, pathology, pharmacology and biochemistry
Books
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
Frequency
Attendance at lessons and at laboratory activities are not mandatory but strongly recommended.
Exam mode
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 acquisiton 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.
Lesson mode
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.
  • Lesson code1022407
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CourseIndustrial pharmacy REPLICA LATINA
  • CurriculumCurriculum unico
  • Year5th year
  • Semester1st semester
  • SSDMED/07
  • CFU6