Molecular Virology
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Provide deep molecular knowledge in the field of veterinary virology, driving the students to understand the mechanisms of virus replication, the interaction with cells in which they replicate, the diagnosis, the pathogenesis and the strategies to control viral diseases, including zoonosis. Laboratory practices aim to grow, isolate and characterize animal viruses.
Expected learning outcomes
The student is expected to reach the following results:
Theoretical learning:
basic veterinary molecular virology
background of the main viral diseases transmitted to human from animals, and molecular and biochemical changes related to these pathologies
main techniques applied in laboratories of virology and molecular diagnostics
Practical learning:
application of in vitro methods to grow and isolate viruses
assessment of cytopathic effects due to different vituses on tissue culture
purification of viruses
application of molecular biology techniques to assess major biochemical and molecular modifications associated to viral diseases,
measurement of mRNA abundance expression and make judgements on its relationship with the effect of virus infection
assessment of the quality of a blood smear, and provide an interpretation of the results of a quantitative PCR base molecular assay.
Communication:
understand and communicate using the proper terms related to Veterinary Virology and Viral Pathology
Theoretical learning:
basic veterinary molecular virology
background of the main viral diseases transmitted to human from animals, and molecular and biochemical changes related to these pathologies
main techniques applied in laboratories of virology and molecular diagnostics
Practical learning:
application of in vitro methods to grow and isolate viruses
assessment of cytopathic effects due to different vituses on tissue culture
purification of viruses
application of molecular biology techniques to assess major biochemical and molecular modifications associated to viral diseases,
measurement of mRNA abundance expression and make judgements on its relationship with the effect of virus infection
assessment of the quality of a blood smear, and provide an interpretation of the results of a quantitative PCR base molecular assay.
Communication:
understand and communicate using the proper terms related to Veterinary Virology and Viral Pathology
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
A. MOLECULAR BASES OF VIROLOGY:
Lecture - Structure and composition of animal viruses (2 h)
Lecture - In vitro and in vivo characteristics of viral infections (2h)
Lecture - Methods for studying and purifying viruses (2h)
Lecture - Diagnostic virology (2h)
Lecture - How to grow viruses: use of animals, embryonated eggs, and cell cultures (2h)
Lecture - Anti-viral immune responses (2h)
Lecture - Anti-viral therapies (2h)
Lecture - Use of viruses in gene therapy (2h)
Lecture - Bacteriophages in anti-bacterial therapy (2h)
Practices:
In vitro culture and splitting of cell lines (3h); cell counting and procedures for freezing cell lines (2h); in vitro infection and assessment of virus-induced cytopathic effects on different cell lines (6h); virus purification techniques (5h).
Development of soft skills in scientific and technological communication, promoted through one-on-one and group discussions and presentations (4h).
Methodological seminars will be integrated (4h)
B. MOLECULAR PATHOGENESIS OF VIRAL DISEASES
Lecture - General concepts in the pathogenesis of viral diseases (1.5h)
Lecture - The immune response to viral infections (1.5h)
Lecture - Emerging viral zoonoses (1.5h)
Lecture - Coronavirus-related diseases: SARS and COVID-19 (1,5h)
Lecture - Filovirus-related diseases: Ebola and Marburg (1.5h)
Lecture - Animal and human immunodeficiency viruses (1.5h)
Lecture - Influenza viruses (1.5h)
Lecture - Virus and cancer (1.5h)
Practices:
- Purification of mononuclear cells from bovine blood and infection with inactivated livestock virus (3h).
- Quantification of mRNA expression of ISGs (Interferon-Stimulated Genes) related to viral livestock infection using quantitative PCR (3h).
- Soft skills in science communication: students will prepare team presentations addressing major issues in scientific and technological communication, with a focus on fake news and misleading information related to zoonotic diseases. Each student will also be asked to present a work-team presentation on the molecular pathogenesis of an emerging viral zoonosis not covered in the course (3h).
- Soft skills in bioinformatics and data science: a joint class on the application of system biology using a case study approach. Students will apply their OMICS knowledge to design an experimental study on a livestock viral disease and identify key molecular changes using bioinformatics tools (3h).
Lecture - Structure and composition of animal viruses (2 h)
Lecture - In vitro and in vivo characteristics of viral infections (2h)
Lecture - Methods for studying and purifying viruses (2h)
Lecture - Diagnostic virology (2h)
Lecture - How to grow viruses: use of animals, embryonated eggs, and cell cultures (2h)
Lecture - Anti-viral immune responses (2h)
Lecture - Anti-viral therapies (2h)
Lecture - Use of viruses in gene therapy (2h)
Lecture - Bacteriophages in anti-bacterial therapy (2h)
Practices:
In vitro culture and splitting of cell lines (3h); cell counting and procedures for freezing cell lines (2h); in vitro infection and assessment of virus-induced cytopathic effects on different cell lines (6h); virus purification techniques (5h).
Development of soft skills in scientific and technological communication, promoted through one-on-one and group discussions and presentations (4h).
Methodological seminars will be integrated (4h)
B. MOLECULAR PATHOGENESIS OF VIRAL DISEASES
Lecture - General concepts in the pathogenesis of viral diseases (1.5h)
Lecture - The immune response to viral infections (1.5h)
Lecture - Emerging viral zoonoses (1.5h)
Lecture - Coronavirus-related diseases: SARS and COVID-19 (1,5h)
Lecture - Filovirus-related diseases: Ebola and Marburg (1.5h)
Lecture - Animal and human immunodeficiency viruses (1.5h)
Lecture - Influenza viruses (1.5h)
Lecture - Virus and cancer (1.5h)
Practices:
- Purification of mononuclear cells from bovine blood and infection with inactivated livestock virus (3h).
- Quantification of mRNA expression of ISGs (Interferon-Stimulated Genes) related to viral livestock infection using quantitative PCR (3h).
- Soft skills in science communication: students will prepare team presentations addressing major issues in scientific and technological communication, with a focus on fake news and misleading information related to zoonotic diseases. Each student will also be asked to present a work-team presentation on the molecular pathogenesis of an emerging viral zoonosis not covered in the course (3h).
- Soft skills in bioinformatics and data science: a joint class on the application of system biology using a case study approach. Students will apply their OMICS knowledge to design an experimental study on a livestock viral disease and identify key molecular changes using bioinformatics tools (3h).
Prerequisites for admission
No specific prerequisites are required
Teaching methods
The Course includes classes "in presence" and practices "in presence".
The course includes laboratory activities, seminars, group-work, and student presentations as essential elements of the learning process.
Printouts of lectures uploaded into the ARIEL platform
The course includes laboratory activities, seminars, group-work, and student presentations as essential elements of the learning process.
Printouts of lectures uploaded into the ARIEL platform
Teaching Resources
Printouts of lectures uploaded into the MyARIEL platform
Assessment methods and Criteria
The achievement of the expected learning outcomes by the student is assessed through a written examination consisting of open-ended questions and multiple-choice questions, which include also the description of the practical activity. The maximum duration of the written exam is 3 hours.
Assessment criteria include the correctness and accuracy of the answers, understanding of the topics, ability to make connections between them, and the appropriate use of language.
The final grade is expressed out of thirty and is communicated to the student via email within one day of the exam.
Assessment criteria include the correctness and accuracy of the answers, understanding of the topics, ability to make connections between them, and the appropriate use of language.
The final grade is expressed out of thirty and is communicated to the student via email within one day of the exam.
VET/03 - VETERINARY PATHOLOGY - University credits: 3
VET/05 - INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS - University credits: 5
VET/05 - INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS - University credits: 5
Practicals: 36 hours
Lessons: 30 hours
Lessons: 30 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
After scheduling via mail
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences- Room 172
Reception:
upon appointment
Via dell'Università 6, Lodi
Reception:
Monday 9:00 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Polo Lodi