Molecular Biology, Medicinal Chemistry and Computer Science for Pharmaceutical Applications

DANIELA SCRIBANO

The course aims to illustrate the structure, physiology, and functions of microorganisms, as well as the mechanisms underlying genetic variability and adaptation. Particular attention is devoted to understanding the interactions between microorganisms and hosts, mechanisms of pathogenicity, and activation of the immune response. The course also covers major molecular and cellular biology techniques used to study microorganisms.

Specific Objectives

Knowledge and understanding
By the end of the course, students will have acquired knowledge in the following areas:
Structure and physiology of prokaryotic cells
Principles of classification, taxonomy, diversity, and molecular evolution of microorganisms
Modes of prokaryotic replication and techniques to control and measure microbial growth
Mechanisms of action of major antibiotics and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance
Mechanisms of pathogenicity and bacterial virulence factors
Structure and replication of viruses and bacteriophages
Biology of major bacterial species of clinical relevance
Biology of major viruses of clinical relevance
Principles of molecular and cellular biology for the study of microorganisms
Applying knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
Integrate the knowledge acquired in the Fundamentals of Microbiology course with that gained from other courses in the degree program;
Understand the structure and physiology of microorganisms for the study of innovative applications in the field of microbiology;
Understand the main mechanisms of microbial pathogenicity for the study of antimicrobial strategies;
Understand and describe key technologies in the field of microbiology.
Critical and judgmental skills
At the end of this course, the student will be able to:
Interpret experimental data from scientific articles;
Formulate judgements in professional contexts and for various purposes within the field of microbiology.
Communication skills
At the end of this course, the student will be able to:
Communicate the acquired knowledge in professional contexts and for various purposes, using appropriate language (correct use of technical and scientific terminology);
Present data from scientific literature.
Learning skills
The student should be able to build their own path of scientific growth in a critical and independent manner, being able to correctly use the study materials provided by the instructor as well as additional resources they may find on their own. These skills will be encouraged by the instructor, as much as possible, through in-depth discussions proposed during the lessons.

Educational Objectives:
The course aims to illustrate the structure, physiology, and functions of microorganisms, as well as the mechanisms underlying genetic variability and adaptation. Particular attention is devoted to understanding the interactions between microorganisms and hosts, mechanisms of pathogenicity, and activation of the immune response. Furthermore, a practical aspect of the study of microorganisms will be offered through the description of main molecular and cellular biology techniques.
Specific objectives:
By the end of the course, students will have acquired knowledge in the following areas:
 Structure and physiology of prokaryotic cells
 Principles of classification, taxonomy, diversity, and molecular evolution of microorganisms
 Modes of prokaryotic replication and techniques to control and measure microbial growth
 Mechanisms of action of major antibiotics and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance
 Mechanisms of pathogenicity and bacterial virulence factors
 Structure and replication of viruses and bacteriophages
 Biology of major bacterial species of clinical interest
 Biology of major viruses of medical and clinical relevance
 Principles of molecular and cellular biology for the study of microorganisms
Ability to Apply Knowledge and Understanding
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
 Integrate the knowledge acquired in the Fundamentals of Microbiology course with that gained from other courses in the degree program;
 Understand the structure and physiology of microorganisms for the study of innovative applications in the field of microbiology;
 Understand the main mechanisms of microbial pathogenicity for the study of antimicrobial strategies;
 Understand and describe key technologies in the field of microbiology.
Independent judgement
At the end of this course, the student will be able to:
 Interpret experimental data from scientific articles;
 Formulate judgements in professional contexts and for various purposes within the field of microbiology.
Communication skills
At the end of this course, the student will be able to:
 Communicate the acquired knowledge in professional contexts and for various purposes, using appropriate language (correct use of technical and scientific terminology);
 Present data from scientific literature.
Learning skills
The student should be able to build their own path of scientific growth in a critical and independent manner, being able to correctly use the study materials provided by the instructor as well as additional resources they may find on their own. These skills will be encouraged by the instructor, as much as possible, through in-depth discussions proposed during the lessons.

Requirements:
No strict prerequisites. A basic understanding of molecular and cellular biology would be very helpful.

Contents:
General bacteriology
The Origins of Microbiology, definition of infectious diseases and bacterial lifestyle
Bacterial cell structures and biology
Bacterial metabolism, Growth and Genetics
Mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis and basic principles of immune response
Bacterial virulence factors and biofilm
Bacterial infection control:
Antimicrobial Chemotherapy: mechanisms of action and drug resistance
How to study bacterial-host interactions, the Shigella example
General virology
Classification, structure and replication of viruses - Pathogenesis of viral infections
Antiviral drugs and control of viral infections
Molecular biology applied to Microbiology
Main human bacterial pathogenic species
Gram-positive bacteria: Staphylococcus (S. aureus, S. epidermidis); Streptococcus (S. pyogenes, S. pneumoniae, S. mutans).
Spore forming Bacilli: B. anthracis; Clostridium (C. tetani, C. botulinum and C. perfringens)
Gram-negative bacteria: Enterobacteriaceae (Escherichia, Salmonella, Shigella); Acinetobacter baumannii
Main human pathogenic viruses
Influenza
Herpes
HIV

Suggested textbooks:
Medical Microbiology - Jawetz Melnick&Adelbergs/ Mac Graw Hill– 2019
Brock Biology of Microorganism, Global edition Michael Madigan Pearson ISBN 9781292404790 2021

Teaching methods:
Lectures and teaching activities in small groups.

optional

oral exam
Evaluation
• EXCELLENT (29-30/30) The student demonstrates a deep understanding of the material; they independently establish connections between concepts, organize them into coherent and logical frameworks, and critically evaluate them using both personal evidences and external criteria. They exhibit mastery of technical language.
• GOOD (25-28/30) The student has a strong grasp of the material, presenting it clearly and in detail. They speak with fluency, reorganize and synthesize concepts, draw logical conclusions, and demonstrate proficient use of methods and tools. They know the technical language.
• FAIR (21-24/30) The student understands the material and presents it accurately. They confidently connect and explain concepts, demonstrating adequate use of methods and tools. They know the technical language at a very basic level
• SUFFICIENT (18-21/30) The student recognizes the material and provides a basic description, though not always with precision. They grasp the essential meaning of the information, apply knowledge to familiar contexts, and produce correct, though somewhat elementary, outcomes.
• INSUFFICIENT (failed) The student has a fragmented understanding of the material, explaining concepts imprecisely and with limited independence. They can only apply their knowledge in very simple situations. They lack of technical or specialized terminology.

not available

• na
  • Books: na