BIOLOGIA FARMACEUTICA - MICROBIOLOGIA

Module MICROBIOLOGIA

Knowledge and understanding: the course provides the tools to describe the fundamental biological structures and processes of the cell and living organisms using appropriate scientific terminology;

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: the student acquires the skills necessary to understand the importance of variability so that we can distinguish and motivate the difference between living organisms;

Learning skills: the student becomes able to use the knowledge on the basic mechanisms that regulate living matter and living organisms (animals and plants) as a substrate for the study of Molecular Biology and of other biological subjects in their Degree Course;

Making judgments: the student develops his critical ability to evaluate the implications and results of innovative discoveries in the field of cell biology and living organisms. The student is encouraged to follow innovative discoveries in cell biology and living organisms by consulting the scientific literature.

The course will be structured in frontal teaching with power point projection and/or short films. During the course there will be exercises and problem based learning. If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above, in order to ensure consistency with the syllabus.

No minimum prerequisites

Attendance is compulsory according to the regulations of the teaching regulations of the Degree Course in CTF as indicated in the link: http://www.dsf.unict.it/corsi/lm-13_ctf

PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY

Principles of classification of living organisms.
Autotrophy and heterotrophy organisms.
Classification and organization of plants.
Morphology of the animal and plant cells: prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms.
Structure and function of the cell: cell wall, cell membrane structure and function, cell permeability, transport, exocytosis and endocytosis.
Growth of the cell wall. Changes in the cell wall: lignification, mineralization, gelation, pigmentation.
Intracellular structures. Chloroplasts, chromoplasts, leucoplasts: structure and functions. Pigments. Biochemical mechanism of photosynthetic light reactions, photorespiration.
Vacuolar system: origin, development and functions.
Composition of the vacuolar constituents of pharmaceutical interest.
Metabolism: primary metabolites, intermediate metabolites and secondary metabolites.
Cell cycle. DNA replication, mitosis, meiosis, mutations in the DNA.
Eterozygous, homozygous and hemizygous, dominant and recessive characters, genotype, phenotype and karyotype, Mendel's laws.
Genetic code, transcription, translation.
Part 1: 2.5 CFU - 17.5h  
The chemical composition of the cell: water, minerals, cellular macromolecules: amino acids, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates. Principles of classification of living organisms:   prokaryotes, eukaryotes and their relationship. Autotrophy and heterotrophy organisms. Difference between eukaryotic cell and prokaryotic cell.  Structure and transport in the biological membrane. Organelles: endoplasmic reticulum; Golgi apparatus, mitochondria; Lysosomes, Peroxisomes; Ribosomes, Cytoskeleton; Core, Chromatin and chromosome. Difference between plant cell and animal cell.
Part 2: 2 CFU - 14h 
Metabolism: primary metabolites, intermediate metabolites and secondary metabolites.Overview of Photosynthesis; photorespiration; C3 plants and C4 plants; vacuoles. Primary metabolites, intermediate metabolites and secondary metabolites. Cell wall. Growth of the cell wall. Modifications of the cell wall: lignification, cutinization, suberification, mineralization, gelification, pigmentation. Vegetable organography:  leaf, flower, root.
Part 3: 1.5  CFU - 10.5h 
Cell division: cell growth, cell cycle and mitosis.Reproduction: asexual reproduction, sexual reproduction and meiosis, gametogenesis, ontogenetic cycles, metagenetic cycle. Overview of genetics: Heterozygous, homozygous and hemizygous, dominant and recessive characters, genotype, phenotype and karyotype, Mendel's laws. Cell cycle. DNA replication,  mutations in the DNA. Genetic code, transcription, translation.

MICROBIOLOGY

General microbiology: classification of microorganisms, structure and organization of the prokaryotic cell, structure and synthesis of peptidoglycan; cell envelopes of Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, and mycobacteria. Microbial genetics: bacterial genome, chromosome and plasmids, intercellular transfer of genetic material. Microbial nutrition and metabolism: respiration and fermentation. Bacterial reproduction and growth: cell division, growth curve, spore formation, and biofilm. Microorganism–host relationships: biological associations, sources of infection, transmission, infectious process, pathogenicity, virulence factors, adhesion, and penetration. Host response to infections: innate and adaptive immunity, inflammation, fever, mechanisms of evasion of host defences, passive and active immunization. Human microbiota and microbiome. Principles of microbiological diagnostics: direct and indirect identification of pathogens, microscopy and staining, culture media, methods for assessing susceptibility to antibacterial drugs. Sterilization and disinfection in the pharmaceutical field and Good Preparation Practices for medicinal products. Antibacterial drugs: classification, mechanisms of action, and mechanisms of resistance. Systematic bacteriology: taxonomy, characteristics, pathogenicity, main diseases, and antibiotic susceptibility of the main bacterial pathogens of humans. General virology: structure and classification of viruses, replication strategies of DNA and RNA viruses, pathogenesis of viral infections, cellular damage, interferon, bacteriophages, virus cultivation, and antiviral drugs. Systematic virology: taxonomy, characteristics, pathogenicity, and diseases caused by the main human pathogenic viruses. Mycology: taxonomy, classification, morphology and reproduction of fungi, classification of mycoses, opportunistic mycoses, mushroom poisoning and mycotoxins, main fungi of medical interest, and antifungal drugs. Protozoology: taxonomy, classification, morphology and reproduction, main parasitic protozoa of medical interest, and antiprotozoal drugs. Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases associated with climate change and globalization.

The programme is divided into three parts according to the chronological sequence of the topics covered.

PART 1 – 2 ECTS – 14 h – GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY AND MICROORGANISM–HOST RELATIONSHIPS

Introduction to microbiology. Classification of microorganisms. Structure and organization of the prokaryotic cell. Cell envelopes of Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and mycobacteria. Bacterial genome, plasmids, mutations, and transposable elements. Transformation, transduction, and conjugation. Microbial nutrition and metabolism. Aerobiosis and anaerobiosis. Respiration and fermentation. Cell division and bacterial growth. Spores and biofilms. Microorganism–host relationships. Pathogenicity and virulence factors. Transmission of infections. Innate and adaptive immunity. Inflammation and fever. Passive and active immunization. Human microbiota and microbiome. Dysbiosis. Probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics.

PART 2 – 2 ECTS – 14 h – APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, ANTIBACTERIAL DRUGS, AND SYSTEMATIC BACTERIOLOGY

Principles of microbiological diagnostics. Direct and indirect identification of pathogens. Microscopy, staining, and cultivation of microorganisms. Assessment of susceptibility to antibacterial drugs. Sterilization and disinfection. Microbiological control of sterile and non-sterile preparations. Bacterial endotoxins. Disinfectants, antiseptics, and preservatives. Good Preparation Practices for medicinal products. Classification and mechanisms of action of the main antibacterial drugs. Mechanisms of antibiotic resistance. Basic principles of the epidemiology of infectious diseases. Community-acquired and nosocomial infections. Systematic bacteriology of the main bacterial pathogens of humans, with particular reference to microbiological characteristics, pathogenicity, associated diseases, antibiotic susceptibility, and antibiotic resistance.

PART 3 – 2 ECTS – 14 h – VIROLOGY, MYCOLOGY, PROTOZOOLOGY, AND EMERGING INFECTIONS

General virology: structure, classification, replication, and pathogenesis of viruses. Host defences against viral infections. Bacteriophages, prions, and virus cultivation. Antiviral drugs. Systematic virology of the main human pathogenic viruses, with reference to their characteristics, pathogenicity, associated diseases, prevention, and treatment. General and systematic mycology: biological characteristics of fungi, mycoses, mushroom poisoning, mycotoxins, and the main fungi of medical interest. Antifungal drugs. General and systematic protozoology: biological characteristics and the main parasitic protozoa of medical interest. Antiprotozoal drugs. Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases associated with climate change and globalization.

Contribution of the Course to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 – Good Health and Well-being-Target 3.4 

1. Solomon, Berg, Martin -Biologia- Ed. Edises
2. D. Sadava, D.V. Hillis, H.C. Heller, M.R. Berenbaum-Biologia-Ed.Zainichelli
3. Solomon, Berg, Martin -Struttura e processi vitali nelle piante- Ed. Edises
4. Poli F. - Biologia Farmaceutica - II Ed. - Pearson 2019

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The final examination will be assessed on the basis of equally weighted indicators, in accordance with the intended learning outcomes (Dublin Descriptors).

The final grade takes into account the following aspects.

Quality of Knowledge, Skills and Competences

· appropriateness, accuracy, and consistency of the knowledge demonstrated;

· appropriateness, accuracy, and consistency of the skills demonstrated;

· appropriateness, accuracy, and consistency of the competences demonstrated.

Communication Skills

· clarity and effectiveness of presentation;

· appropriate use of discipline-specific terminology;

· logical reasoning and coherence in the organization of the contents;

· ability to establish connections among different topics by identifying common elements and developing a coherent overall framework, with appropriate structure, organization, and logical progression;

· ability to summarize concepts effectively, including the use of discipline-specific symbols and graphical representations, such as formulas, diagrams, and equations.

Interpersonal Skills

· willingness to engage in discussion and interact with the examiner during the oral examination.

Personal Skills

· critical thinking;

· self-assessment skills;

· problem-solving skills;

· decision-making skills.

The written examination consists of five open-ended questions to be completed within a maximum of 2 hours.

The oral examination is intended to clarify and further develop the answers provided in the written examination and, where necessary, to complement the assessment through additional questions aimed at verifying the student's knowledge of the course topics, as well as the ability to establish connections among concepts and critically analyse the course contents. The oral examination generally consists of two questions, one of which may be devoted to discussing aspects that emerged from the written examination. The average duration of the oral examination is approximately 20 minutes.

The final grade is expressed on a 30-point scale according to the following criteria.

Fail (Not Passed)

Knowledge and understanding: significant gaps and inaccuracies.
Analytical and synthesis skills: inadequate, with frequent generalizations.
Use of references: completely inappropriate.

Grade: 18–20

Knowledge and understanding: very limited, with evident shortcomings.
Analytical and synthesis skills: barely satisfactory.
Use of references: barely appropriate.

Grade: 21–23

Knowledge and understanding: slightly above the minimum acceptable level.
Analytical and synthesis skills: satisfactory analytical and synthesis abilities; arguments are presented logically and coherently.
Use of references: appropriate use of standard references.

Grade: 24–26

Knowledge and understanding: good.
Analytical and synthesis skills: good analytical and synthesis abilities; topics are presented clearly and coherently.
Use of references: appropriate use of standard references.

Grade: 27–29

Knowledge and understanding: very good.
Analytical and synthesis skills: strong analytical and synthesis abilities.
Use of references: demonstrates in-depth study of the subject.

Grade: 30–30 cum laude

Knowledge and understanding: excellent.
Analytical and synthesis skills: outstanding analytical and synthesis abilities.
Use of references: demonstrates extensive and critical in-depth knowledge of the subject.

Information for Students with Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current legislation, students with disabilities and/or specific learning disorders (SLD) may request an individual meeting to discuss and arrange appropriate compensatory and/or dispensatory measures according to the course learning objectives and their specific needs. Students may contact Prof. Santina Chiechio (santina.chiechio@unict.it), who also serves as the Departmental CInAP Representative (Centre for Active and Participatory Inclusion – Services for Students with Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders) of the Department of Drug and Health Sciences.

Examination Dates

Examination dates are published on the website of the Department of Drug and Health Sciences.https://www.dsf.unict.it/it/corsi/lm-13_ctf/calendario-esami

ECTS Workload

According to the University Academic Regulations (RDA), Article 12 – University Educational Credits (CFU/ECTS), one credit corresponds to a standard workload of 25 hours of total student commitment, including: 7 hours of lectures or equivalent teaching activities, with the remaining time devoted to independent study; or 12 to 15 hours of classroom exercises or equivalent supervised activities (e.g., laboratory work), with the remaining time devoted to individual study and personal elaboration.

1) A eukaryotic cell and a prokaryotic cell differentiate because.    
A) The eukaryotic cell has a plasma membrane    
B) The prokaryotic cell lacks a nucleus    
C) The eukaryotic cell can have flagella    
D) The eukaryotic cell can have cell wall    
E) The prokaryotic cell cannot synthesize proteins    
 
2) Which of these characteristics is NOT characteristic of the Golgi complex?    
A) In plant cells, production of cell wall polysaccharides    
B) Processing of proteins    
C) Formation of secretory vesicles containing glycoproteins    
D) Reception of materials from the RE    
E) Accumulation of products of cell digestion

MICROBIOLOGY

Explain the main stages of the infectious process and the role of virulence factors.

Explain the meaning of microbiota, microbiome, eubiosis, and dysbiosis, and describe the role of probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics.

Describe the main methods used for the microbiological identification of pathogens.

Explain the main methods used to assess bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics and the significance of antibiotic resistance.

Describe the main biological characteristics of fungi and distinguish the main types of mycoses.

Describe the main characteristics of parasitic protozoa of medical interest.