Frontal Lessons
The origin of the life, the role of microorganisms in the biosphere.
Structure and functions of bacterial cell: cytoplasm, DNA, cytoplasmic membrane and cell wall. Optional structures (capsule, pili and flagella).
The microbial growth, the growth curves, the bacterial division. Microbial metabolisms.
Techniques for in vitro microbial cultures.
Methods for microbiological identification
Survival strategies of bacteria: spore production, L-forms, viable but not cultivable state, biofilm.
Microbial pathogenicity and epidemiology: host-microrganism relationships, pathogenic properties of bacteria.
Human microbiota. Probiotics and prebiotics.
Nosocomial infections, opportunistic human pathogens.
Gene recombination in bacteria: transformation, conjugation, transduction. Lysogenic conversion.
Sterilization. Disinfectants, antiseptics and preservatives. The Microbiology in the cosmetic industry. The microbiological approach in the cosmetic field.
Microbiological methods in the Pharmaceutical industry.
Air sampling procedures to evaluate microbial contamination. The index of microbial air contamination
Antimicrobial agents. Clinical use of antimicrobial drugs. Mechanisms of action of antibiotics. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Methods for testing of antibiotics.
Pathogenesis, clinical significance, laboratory diagnosis, prevention and control of: Gram-positive and Gram-negative cocci, Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacilli, acid-resistant microorganisms.
Case Study: Helicobacter pylori: a fickle germ, microbiological characterization, pathogenesis, modes of transmission and treatments.
Structure and classification of viruses. Viral multiplication. Virus-host cell interactions. Bacteriophages. Main pathogenic viruses for humans: Herpesvirus, Coronavirus, Retrovirus
Structure, habitat and reproduction of molds and yeasts. Fungi of medical interest.: Candida, Penicillium, Aspergillus

Microbiology lab Practice: sterilization techniques, Collection of biological sample for the microbial isolation and characterization. Planting techniques on selective and differential media. Analysis of colony-forming units. Slide preparation and staining, microscopic observation by optical microscope. Preparation and reading of antimicrobial susceptibility tests