Medical Biotechnology

Activity type

Discipline biotecnologiche comuni

SSD

MED/07

Year

N/D

Semester

N/D

CFU

3

Hours distribution

24 classroom hours

Lecturers

OMBRETTA TURRIZIANI

Activity type

Medicina di laboratorio e diagnostica

SSD

VET/06

Year

N/D

Semester

N/D

CFU

3

Hours distribution

24 classroom hours

Lecturers

FABRIZIO LOMBARDO

The course objectives are as follows:
To understand the key theories regarding the origin and evolution of viruses and parasites.
To provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the biological and molecular processes involved in the interaction between microorganisms and hosts, as well as in pathogenicity.
To explore the causes and mechanisms behind major viral and parasitic diseases.
To study the molecular mechanisms involved in antiviral resistance.
To learn about the application of key biotechnologies in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of infectious diseases.
These goals will be achieved through traditional lectures, seminars, and interactive activities.

At the end of the course, students should have an adequate understanding of the structure of viruses, their replication mechanisms and their evolutionary processes. In addition, students should have acquired a solid knowledge of the viruses responsible for chronic infections in humans, emerging viruses, the mechanisms of action of antivirals and the phenomenon of drug resistance.

Basic knowledge of the immune response, cellular and molecular biology, and basic knowledge of genomic approaches and genetic transformation.

Module:
MOLECULAR VIROLOGY
Virus structure
The life cycle of RNA and DNA viruses
Viral Pathogenesis
Origin and evolution of DNA and viruses
Genetic variability of viruses
Immunodeficiency virus: structure and life cycle
Genetic mechanisms of resistance to antiretroviral drugs
HIV infection diagnosis
HIV: strategy of eradication
Hepatis C virus: structure and life cycle and diagnosis
Genetic mechanisms of resistance to anti-HCV drugs
Hepatis B virus: structure, life cycle and diagnosis
Genetic mechanisms of resistance to anti-HBV drugs
Coronaviridae: structure and replication
Genetic variability of coronaviruses
Orthomixoviridae: structure, life cycle, treatment and diagnosis
Papillomaviridae: structure, life cycle and pathogenesis
Virus and miRNA



Module:
General Principles of Parasitology
Evolution of parasitism; routes of transmission and infection
Epidemiology and control strategies of protozoan and metazoan parasites
Impact of parasites and vectors on public health
Main Mechanisms of Host Immune Evasion
Modulation of the host immune response
Strategies adopted by protozoan and metazoan parasites
Life cycles and major metabolic processes involved
Pathogenetic mechanisms; parasite specificity; intra- and extracellular pathogens
Host Cell Invasion: Subphylum Apicomplexa
Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium parvum, Plasmodium falciparum
Host cell remodeling
Secretion of proteases, exosomes and ncRNAs; ligand–receptor mechanisms
Formation of the parasitophorous vacuole: gliding, invasion, and egress; microdomains
Host Cell Invasion: Family Trypanosomatidae
Leishmania spp.
Trypanosoma cruzi
Extracellular Stages and Parasites: Antigenic Variability
Plasmodium spp.
Trypanosoma brucei
Drugs and Vaccines
Development and model organisms
Mechanisms of drug resistance (Plasmodium, metazoa, etc.)
Other Parasitic Protozoa
Giardia and Trichomonas
Amoebae
Human Genetics and Parasitic Diseases
Genetic bases of resistance and susceptibility to parasites
Genetic Manipulation of Parasites
Genetic manipulation of parasites of medical relevance: gene knockout, gene knockdown, conditional
mutagenesis
Examples of biotechnological applications
Parasitic Metazoa: Phylogeny, Molecular Taxonomy and Evolution
Platyhelminthes and Nematodes
Molecular Mimicry in Metazoans
Schistosoma spp. and filarial worms
Glycobiology
Parasitic Metazoa: Immunity and Allergy
Echinococcus and cestodes
Schistosoma and trematodes
Exosomes, extracellular vesicles (EVs) and miRNAs in nematodes and flatworms
Parasitic Metazoa: Nematodes
Geohelminths and other parasitic nematodes
Evolution of parasitism in nematodes
Exosomes, EVs and miRNAs in nematodes and flatworms
Vector Biology: Vector–Pathogen–Host Interaction and Genetic Manipulation of Vectors
Vector-borne pathogens: protozoa, metazoa, arboviruses
Transmission and molecular bases of vector competence: vector–host–pathogen interactions
Arthropod vectors and adaptations to hematophagy
Transgenic approaches to vector control
Vector Biology: Insights into Arboviruses and Invasive Species
Role of innate immunity in vector–pathogen interactions

Module:
PDF lessons; Scientific articles and material provided by teacher.


Module:
Inglese
Educational material available on the site http://elearning2.uniroma1.it/
The pdf files of the presentations used by the teacher during the lessons will be
made available to students. Furthermore, updated reviews and original articles on
program topics will be provided to students for exam preparation.
General information will be obtained from the material on the following sites:
https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/az.html
https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/communicable-diseases/vector-borne-and-
parasitic-diseases

Module:
N/D
Module:
N/D

The course consists of lectures interspersed with seminars. During the lectures, the teacher stimulates students with questions related to what has just been presented, with the aim of engaging them and encouraging them to study at home, lesson by lesson. The course also includes lectures held in the laboratory.

Compulsory attendance, in person, as required by the course

The oral exam is based on questions relating to both the general part of the course (virus replication cycle, pathogenesis, etc.) and the more “specialised” part, such as HIV and drug resistance, HPV and oncogenesis. To pass the exam, students must obtain a mark of at least 18/30 in each module. Students must demonstrate that they have acquired sufficient knowledge of the topics covered during the course. To achieve a score of 30/30 with honours, students must demonstrate that they have acquired excellent knowledge of all the topics covered during the course, arguing a linear reasoning with the use of technical terms and correct linguistic expressions.

Describe the replication cycle of the virus, highlighting specific aspects of certain families
Mechanisms of genetic variability in viruses and their consequences
Parasite Transmission Modes
Biological Models in Parasitology

Module:

• VIRUS CHARACTERISTICS, REPLICATION, PATHOGENESIS
  • Books: REVIEW, PDF LESSONS


• GENETIC VARIABILITY AND EVOLUTION
  • Books: REVIEW, PDF LESSONS


• VIRAL CHRONIC INFECTION 
  • Books: REVIEW, PDF LESSONS


• DRUG RESISTACE
  • Books: REVIEW, PDF LESSONS


• ARBOVIRUS
  • Books: REVIEW, PDF LESSONS

• General Principles of Parasitology
  • Books: Articles and didactic materials


• Main Mechanisms of Host Immune Evasion
  • Books: Articles and didactic materials


• Host Cell Invasion: Subphylum Apicomplexa
  • Books: Articles and didactic materials


• Host Cell Invasion: Family Trypanosomatidae
  • Books: Articles and didactic materials


• Extracellular Stages and Parasites: Antigenic Variability
  • Books: Articles and didactic materials


• Drugs and Vaccines
  • Books: Articles and didactic materials


• Human Genetics and Parasitic Diseases
  • Books: Articles and didactic materials


• Genetic Manipulation of Parasites
  • Books: Articles and didactic materials


• Parasitic Metazoa: Phylogeny, Molecular Taxonomy, and Evolution
  • Books: Articles and didactic materials


• Parasitic Metazoa: Immunity, Allergy, and Molecular Mimicry
  • Books: Articles and didactic materials


• Vector Biology: Vector–Pathogen–Host Interaction and Genetic Manipulation of Vectors
  • Books: Articles and didactic materials


• Vector Biology: Focus on Arboviruses and Invasive Species
  • Books: Articles and didactic materials