Microbiologia Molecolare
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course has a strong interdisciplinary trait that provides tools for correlating and integrating
molecular and clinical microbiology with the molecular basis of disease. The course aims to
develop mastery of the scientific method of investigation, to deepen knowledge and provide
practical tools of the molecular methods of studying microbiology related to animal infectious
diseases relevant to veterinary medicine and animal sciences.
molecular and clinical microbiology with the molecular basis of disease. The course aims to
develop mastery of the scientific method of investigation, to deepen knowledge and provide
practical tools of the molecular methods of studying microbiology related to animal infectious
diseases relevant to veterinary medicine and animal sciences.
Expected learning outcomes
Theoretical Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to explain principles, concepts, and basic theories in molecular microbiology
Students will demonstrate skills in analyzing, and synthesizing knowledge in molecular microbiology, as
well as the strategies of antibiotic resistance and evasion from the host immune system
Students will gain leadership, personal responsibility, respect for rights, and ability to work in a
multidisciplinary team, and keep up-to-date with the changes in the One-Health perspective.
Students will deepen biostatistical analysis skills and modern digital technology for information search,
data analysis, and in microbiological and sanitary monitoring.
B) Practical Learning Outcomes.
Students will acquire specialized skills in microbiology including experimental microbiology and
in particular:
1. The ability to plan and execute a gene expression experiment (from tissue to quantifying the
expression of a molecule).
2. The ability to use bioinformatics analysis systems through their application to the interpretation
of results obtained from genomic and proteomic analysis experiments.
3. Knowledge of the basic pathogenetic mechanisms related to infectious diseases and
immunopathology
4. Mastery of science and technology communication tools.
Students will be able to explain principles, concepts, and basic theories in molecular microbiology
Students will demonstrate skills in analyzing, and synthesizing knowledge in molecular microbiology, as
well as the strategies of antibiotic resistance and evasion from the host immune system
Students will gain leadership, personal responsibility, respect for rights, and ability to work in a
multidisciplinary team, and keep up-to-date with the changes in the One-Health perspective.
Students will deepen biostatistical analysis skills and modern digital technology for information search,
data analysis, and in microbiological and sanitary monitoring.
B) Practical Learning Outcomes.
Students will acquire specialized skills in microbiology including experimental microbiology and
in particular:
1. The ability to plan and execute a gene expression experiment (from tissue to quantifying the
expression of a molecule).
2. The ability to use bioinformatics analysis systems through their application to the interpretation
of results obtained from genomic and proteomic analysis experiments.
3. Knowledge of the basic pathogenetic mechanisms related to infectious diseases and
immunopathology
4. Mastery of science and technology communication tools.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course is organized into three areas:
A) Molecular aspects of the microorganism-host interaction;
B) Molecular basis of microbial pathogenicity;
c) Molecular pathology.
A) Molecular aspects of the microorganism-host interaction.
Theoretical part: General aspects of the microorganism-host interaction. Molecular aspects of the host's immune system. Receptors: the molecules that recognize the antigen and activate signal transduction. Methods for studying the microorganism-host interaction Bacteria-host interactions Virus-host interactions
Practical part: Receptors for pathogens: isolation and molecular characterization: nucleotide sequence analysis and primer design, extraction of nucleic acids from biological material, purification and characterization of nucleic acids. Discussion and critical analysis of the results to improve the use of scientific language.
B) Molecular basis of microbial pathogenicity;
Theoretical part: Introduction to the course Genetic mechanisms in pathogenicity Virulence factors: techniques for identification and their characteristics Virulence and its regulation: secretion systems and quorum sensing. Molecular strategies for escape from the host's immune system Antibiotics and resistance Pathogenic microorganisms of veterinary interest New strategies in the control of pathogenicity: the microbiome and its modulation
Practical part: bioinformatics methods applied to the study of microbial pathogenicity. Seminars held by researchers inside and/or outside the department engaged in microbiology research projects.
c) Molecular pathology
Theoretical part:
- The molecular basis of cellular adaptation and pathology. Cell damage and cell death: necrosis, apoptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis and netosis (10 hours)
- Inflammation
Pathogen recognition and danger signals by innate immune cells: pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), Toll-like receptors, and other pattern recognition receptors (PRRs).
The main inflammatory mediators against microbial pathogens, including complement, cytokines and their role in the inflammatory response. (10 hours)
- Immunopathology and immunity as a cause of disease (4 hours)
at. Hypersensitivity disorders. Immediate and delayed allergic reactions
Practical part:
A) Basic haematological techniques: the student will be trained in the preparation of slides and in basic staining techniques with particular reference to the identification of blood cells.
B) cellular pathology: purification of the main cell population from blood: granulocytes and mononuclear cells
A) Molecular aspects of the microorganism-host interaction;
B) Molecular basis of microbial pathogenicity;
c) Molecular pathology.
A) Molecular aspects of the microorganism-host interaction.
Theoretical part: General aspects of the microorganism-host interaction. Molecular aspects of the host's immune system. Receptors: the molecules that recognize the antigen and activate signal transduction. Methods for studying the microorganism-host interaction Bacteria-host interactions Virus-host interactions
Practical part: Receptors for pathogens: isolation and molecular characterization: nucleotide sequence analysis and primer design, extraction of nucleic acids from biological material, purification and characterization of nucleic acids. Discussion and critical analysis of the results to improve the use of scientific language.
B) Molecular basis of microbial pathogenicity;
Theoretical part: Introduction to the course Genetic mechanisms in pathogenicity Virulence factors: techniques for identification and their characteristics Virulence and its regulation: secretion systems and quorum sensing. Molecular strategies for escape from the host's immune system Antibiotics and resistance Pathogenic microorganisms of veterinary interest New strategies in the control of pathogenicity: the microbiome and its modulation
Practical part: bioinformatics methods applied to the study of microbial pathogenicity. Seminars held by researchers inside and/or outside the department engaged in microbiology research projects.
c) Molecular pathology
Theoretical part:
- The molecular basis of cellular adaptation and pathology. Cell damage and cell death: necrosis, apoptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis and netosis (10 hours)
- Inflammation
Pathogen recognition and danger signals by innate immune cells: pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), Toll-like receptors, and other pattern recognition receptors (PRRs).
The main inflammatory mediators against microbial pathogens, including complement, cytokines and their role in the inflammatory response. (10 hours)
- Immunopathology and immunity as a cause of disease (4 hours)
at. Hypersensitivity disorders. Immediate and delayed allergic reactions
Practical part:
A) Basic haematological techniques: the student will be trained in the preparation of slides and in basic staining techniques with particular reference to the identification of blood cells.
B) cellular pathology: purification of the main cell population from blood: granulocytes and mononuclear cells
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, general pathology, basic microbiology and basic molecular diagnostic techniques.
Teaching methods
Lectures and practices.
The lessons are available through the ARIEL platform and are updated every year.
The exercises will be a combination of seminars, digital, and practical sessions, conducted in the computer room and laboratory. Proteomics and transcriptomics case studies of infectious diseases of veterinary interest will be analysed through a group work approach. Students will be trained in bioinformatics analysis using the most common pipelines to characterise the main pathways involved in the molecular pathogenesis of specific infectious diseases.
The lessons are available through the ARIEL platform and are updated every year.
The exercises will be a combination of seminars, digital, and practical sessions, conducted in the computer room and laboratory. Proteomics and transcriptomics case studies of infectious diseases of veterinary interest will be analysed through a group work approach. Students will be trained in bioinformatics analysis using the most common pipelines to characterise the main pathways involved in the molecular pathogenesis of specific infectious diseases.
Teaching Resources
The slides of the course will be uploaded on the ARIEL learning platform
Assessment methods and Criteria
The course exam is written with questions related to the three areas of the course, on the Moodle platform. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions (one correct answer, 4 options to choose from). Each question on the exam will be taken exclusively from the material provided in class and practice, and will be made available on the ARIEL platform.
Students have the option of breaking down the exam into a mid-term exam and a final exam, of 64 MCQ each, or take the exam in a single exam, of 128 MCQ. 0.5 points will be awarded for each positive response. The exam lasts 1 hour for the intermediate exams and two hours for the overall exam. The result of the intermediate test will be valid only for the first exam session.
Students have the option of breaking down the exam into a mid-term exam and a final exam, of 64 MCQ each, or take the exam in a single exam, of 128 MCQ. 0.5 points will be awarded for each positive response. The exam lasts 1 hour for the intermediate exams and two hours for the overall exam. The result of the intermediate test will be valid only for the first exam session.
BIO/19 - MICROBIOLOGY - University credits: 3
MED/04 - EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY - University credits: 4
MED/07 - MICROBIOLOGY AND CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY - University credits: 3
MED/04 - EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY - University credits: 4
MED/07 - MICROBIOLOGY AND CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY - University credits: 3
Practicals: 36 hours
Lessons: 42 hours
Lessons: 42 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
After scheduling via mail
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences- Room 172
Reception:
Monday 9:00 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Polo Lodi