Biotechnologies

Microbial cell: study of the structure and function of the bacterial cell components. Historical introduction to microbial genetics. The cytokinesis and prokaryotic genetic material: the prokaryotic cytoskeleton; the mechanics of cell division; control of DNA replication in prokaryotes: Timing, Cleaning, Partitioning. DNA repair systems: direct, Ner, Ber, SOS, Mismatch. Biosynthesis of Peptidoglycan and related antibiotics, mechanisms of action: beta-lactam antibiotics and clavulanic acid, Vancomycin, fosfomycin, bacitracin. Gene regulation: the biosynthesis of the flagellum, the phase variation of Salmonella, the life cycle of Caulobacter crescentus, sporulation of Bacillus subtilis, Anabaena. Interaction of micro-organisms with the environment: export and secretion of proteins, signal transduction, quorum sensing, biofilms. Microbial genetic elements: the Integrons, transposons, bacteriophages. Horizontal gene transfer: transformation, transduction, Conjugation. Phage Genetics: strategies of infection and gene regulation of filamentous phages T4 and T7 Phage-Display. Bacterial Pathogenesis: common themes of microbial pathogenicity, interaction between bacteria and host. Phases of infective process and interaction with host defence mechanisms. Microbial strategies to counteract host defence mechanisms: free, aggregation, adherent, intracellular, biofilm lifestyles. Microbial Biotechnology in human’s health: novel methods in microbial diagnosis, new strategies against microbial infections and novel strategies in vaccines

To profitably follow the II module of the course of GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY, MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY AND ELEMENTS OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY, it is necessary that the student has followed and understood the topics covered in the first module of the same course (II semester I year)

- Madigan M.T. and Martinko J.M. : Brock, Biologia dei microorganismi. Volume 1 (prof. Prosseda-Valenti ) e 2b (Valenti). optional: Snyder L. and Champness W. Molecular Genetics of Bacteria. Biblioteca Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “C. Darwin” Glazer A.N. and , Nikaidō H. Microbial Biotechnology: fundamentals of applied microbiology. Cambridge University Press

The course is structured in lectures and didactic laboratories. In particular, 40 hours of frontal teaching (5 CFU) and 12 hours of didactic laboratories (1 CFU) are provided. Lessons take place three times a week in the classroom. Attendance at lessons is strongly recommended. The didactic laboratories are carried out in groups of 20-25 people (with specific shifts) and take place in laboratories equipped for the teaching of Microbiology and Virology.

Attendance at the courses is mandatory and the student, in order to be admitted to the exam, must have attended no less than 67% of class hours.

The exam has the objective of verifying the level of knowledge and depth of the topics of the teaching program and the reasoning skills acquired by the student. The evaluation is expressed out of thirty (minimum grade 18/30, maximum grade 30/30 with honours) and corresponds to the weighted average of the marks obtained in the two modules. The exam consists of an oral test and can be preceded by a written test. The written test and oral exam are carried out taking into consideration the topics addressed during the course and allow for verification of the achievement of the objectives in terms of knowledge and skills acquired (written and oral), evaluating the clarity of presentation, the property of language and the student's critical ability (oral). To pass the exam, it is necessary to obtain a minimum of 18/30 in both modules. The final grade is determined by the average of the grade in the two modules. To achieve a score of 30/30 cum laude, the students must demonstrate that they have acquired an excellent knowledge of the topics covered in the two modules of the course and be able to create logical and consistent connections between the various topics studied.

The course is structured in lectures and didactic laboratories. In particular, 40 hours of frontal teaching (5 CFU) and 12 hours of didactic laboratories (1 CFU) are provided. Lessons take place three times a week in the classroom. Attendance at lessons is strongly recommended. The didactic laboratories are carried out in groups of 20-25 people (with specific shifts) and take place in laboratories equipped for the teaching of Microbiology and Virology.