Cell biology and technology

General aims The course of Cellular Microbiology and Vaccinology aims at providing the notions that allow students to understand the complexity of the interactions of the microbial world with eukaryotic organisms. This knowledge will form the basis for a rational path that will lead them to understand the strategies underlining the formulation of vaccines. The objectives will be finalized at sequentially integrating in this schema the issues concerning the recognition of microorganisms by the innate immune system, the characteristics of the microbiota and the molecular basis of the interaction of microbiota with eukaryotic organisms. We will then proceed to the analysis of genetic and phenotypic factors that characterize the differences between commensals and pathogens and the transitional forms between these two classes. Finally, we will face the fundamentals of vaccines, their typology and composition, and the scientific and institutional process leading to their development. The prospective of the new generation vaccines and of the new vaccine targets will complete the knowledge acquired by the student. The achievement of this network of issues will provide the student with the skills to evaluate the role of microorganisms in the process of interaction with humans and the actual value of vaccines. Specific objectives Knowledge and understanding • the mechanisms underlining the recognition of microorganisms by the immune system and adaptive immune responses. • fundamental role of the microbiota in the physiological and pathological processes of eukaryotic organisms. • the molecular bases that underlie the difference between commensals microorganism and pathogens. • evolution of vaccines and the rationalization of the scientific and experimental path that has led to the formulation of these drugs. • the vaccine types, the components of the vaccines and the functional roles of these. • the key phases of vaccine development and the scientific and legislative process leading from the "bench to field" • goals for vaccines in the near future. Applying knowledge and understanding • understanding the biological phenomena of complex organisms on the basis of the knowledge about microorganisms; • interpreting the phenomena associated with microorganisms on a personal and social scale; • perceiving the environment by integrating the key role played by microorganisms, • feeling about themselves as a biological ecosystem and understanding the rules that govern it. Making judgments • Sieving information about the world of microorganisms in a conscious and reasoned way • Making reasoned decisions about the use of products derived from bacteria and argiung about relevance of vaccines Comunication skills • Spreading the information acquired in the course Communicating the issues about the vaccines on the basis of the knowledge