Learning objectives
The course allows students to focus on certain problems and solutions necessary to acquire knowledge to understand the main phenomena involved in bacterial biological processes. It aims to provide a multidisciplinary approach for an effective understanding of biological and evolutionary processes in the field of applied microbial ecology. By the end of the course, students are expected to:
i) Understand the logic and microbiological aspects responsible for health.
ii) Know the main bacterial communities characterizing the microbiota in different compartments of the human body, such as skin, oral, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urogenital tracts, and understand their possible connection to human health through the identification of possible microbial markers.
iii) Be knowledgeable and able to analyze modern metagenomic approaches for studying the human microbiota (studies of the microbiota through 16S rRNA microbial profiling approaches as well as shotgun metagenomics).
iv) Be able to communicate research results (field and empirical) through writing research reports.
v) Be able to build and manage relationships with individuals or groups to achieve planned work objectives.
vi) Be able to improve their performance (in terms of resources and results) based on a reference standard that respects well-being, biodiversity, and sustainability.
Prerequisites
None
Course unit content
The course aims to familiarize students with concepts, techniques, and specifics related to general and applied microbiology. Special attention will be given to the human microbiota/microbiome topic, providing an understanding of the main phenomena that occur in the microbial world in interaction with humans.
Full programme
Introduction to bacteriology (bacterial cell and extracellular structures)
Interaction of bacteria with the environment
Assessing of the biodiversity of complex microbial communities
Metagenomics approaches to investigate the functionality of the microbiota
The gut microbiota: origin, development and composition.
The human intestinal microbiota: dysbiosis, and correlations with diseases.
The oral, vaginal and skin human microbiota.
Bacterial therapy approaches for the modulation of the human microbiota.
Bibliography
Brock Biology of Microorganisms, Madigan, International Edition, Pearson
Biologia dei Microrganismi, Deho', Galli, CEA
Teaching methods
The course includes lectures with the screening of educational material.
Assessment methods and criteria
The student will be assessed through an oral interview, which will verify the basic concepts (structure of the microbial cell, microbial determinants responsible for interaction with the host/environment and other microorganisms) and specific topics related to the human microbiota/microbiome. The student's logical and critical capacity in addressing a microbiota study will also be assessed, evaluating the ability to integrate innovative interventions (in terms of used technologies and biological bases) that protect well-being and sustainability.
At the same time terminological correctness, consistency between the student's answer and the question posed, rigor and attention to the logic of the supply chain, demonstration of a multiomics and multidisciplinary systemic approach, demonstration of having acquired those transversal skills so decisive and incisive in professional life.
In exceptional cases and, at the express request of the student himself, the verification in written form is foreseen. With regard to female students and students with specific learning disabilities (with reference to the ministerial decree 12th July 2011) dispensatory measures and compensatory tools will be applied, ie oral tests, use of PCs with spell check and speech synthesis, but above all, will be granted an extra time up to a maximum of 30% more or a quantitative reduction will be provided. In any case, the evaluation logic followed, in these circumstances, will evaluate the contents rather than the form.
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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