GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Aim of the course:
The course’s theoretical syllabus aims to the comprehension of the ‘microcosm’ and its reaction with the ‘macrocosm’ and human. An introduction to the evolution of Microbiology field is occurring as well as a historical throwback to the most important discoveries. The microorganisms’ variety and structure and the function of the bacterial/viral cells is described, along with the evolution of bacteroides, bacteriophages, plasmids and viruses’ basic genetic systems. It is completed with an introduction to antibiotics and the genetic structure of the bacterial antibiotic resistance mechanisms as they grow and the means to measure and control the antimicrobial resistance

Objectives and expected learning outcomes:

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to know and understand:

• The Epidemiology meaning and the most known diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.
• The microorganisms’ role in food production and conservation and their ability to cause infections transmitted by food (foodborne diseases).
• The development of theoretical and practical skills in planing and executing experiments.
• How to use general texts, reference books and series of other sources in order to acquire further knowledge during the abiding independent knowledge.
• The way of developing a research study either individually or in teams (searching for related bibliography, evaluating data and writing).

SYLLABUS

Lectures:
1. Introduction to Microbiology: Microorganisms. Microorganisms and Microbiologists. Brief historical evolution of Microbiology. The contribution of the microorganisms on Earth. Constitutive biochemistry of the microbial cell. Classification-Nomenclature. Microbial cell (Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic). Differentiation. General characteristics of bacteria-viruses-fungi-parasites.
2. Microbial Genetics: Bacterial genome. Parasites-Fungi. Gene expression and regulation. The role of the microorganisms in Genetic Engineering. Genetic recombination and transformation techniques.
3. Viral Genetics and Plasmids: Bacterial and Fungal plasmids. Bacterial viruses: Bacteriophages or Phages. Plant/Animal viruses. Association of viruses, plasmids and other transposable elements. Oncoviruses. Viruses/Viroids classification.
4. Microbial nutrition, growth and movement: About microorganisms’ nutritional demanding. Microorganisms’ categories according to their feeding strategies. Microbial nutritional media. Microbial growth in closed and open environment-Continuous culture. Specialized microbial techniques for growing microorganisms in lab. Sterilization, disinfection, antisepsis.
5. Microbial Ecology and Variety: Symbiotic relationships of microorganisms and microbial habitats. Pathogens. Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, ferrum and other compounds fixation. The role of the microorganisms to the procedures mentioned above. The existence of potentially pathogenic microorganisms in liquid and solid habitats/Food. Biomembranes – Formation of biomembranes, abilities, pathogeny.
6. Introduction to Virology: Viral Structure and Classification. Cell infection and ways of viral multiplying. Animal viruses (e.g. Adenoviruses, Retroviruses), plant viruses (e.g. Tobacco Mosaic virus), bacterial viruses (e.g. Phage T4, Phage λ). Viral infections (e.g. HIV-1, Hepatitis viruses, Papilloma viruses). Mechanisms of viral pathogenesis, viruses and cancer, laboratory diagnosis, antiviral compounds.
7. Introduction to Mycology: Classification, cellular structure, genetics, mechanisms of pathogenesis. The most important infections and their treatment.
8. Introduction to Parasitology: Classification, cellular structure, genetics, mechanisms of fungi pathogenesis.
9. Microorganisms and diseases/infections: Infection definition and characteristics. Pathogens and potentially pathogens/Symbiotic and pathogenic flora. Infection sources. Transmission and spreading modes. Hospital acquired infections and community infections. Detection of infections in modern laboratories. Treatment techniques (vaccines) and surveillance of an infection.
10. Laboratory detection and isolation of microbes: Microscopic examination/Staining, serology tests, Film Array system in detection of microorganisms in biological samples. Molecular examinations/ PCR applications in laboratory detection of bacteria, viruses, parasites.
11. Molecular-Biochemical identification: Classical biochemical identification (API system, biochemical procedures e.g. catalase test, KOH, etc), Molecular identification by detecting conserved genes, viruses, parasites. Real Time PCR applications.
12. Molecular sensitivity to antibiotics: Introduction to antibiotics, chemotherapeutic agents, antiseptic agents, disinfectants. Introduction to anti-fungi and anti-viral therapies. Commonly used antibiotics and their history. Antibiogram. Bacterial resistance mechanisms and their general basis. Record and control microbial tolerance. Antiviral agents. Antifungal and antiparasitic drugs.
13. Introduction to Hygiene, Microbial Epidemiology and their applications in Public Health: Definition of epidemiology and epidemic strain. Reference to epidemic incidents according to modern bibliography (Disease case histories) and the impacts on Public Health. Epidemic control (Risk Evaluation, Disease Management). Phylogeny’s role in Epidemiology evolution.