Knowledge of the cellular and molecular bases of viral pathogenicity, of the interactions between virus and host, of genetic variability and its implications in chronic and persistent pandemic viral infections, of the mechanisms of onset of major diseases in viral aetiology and of the applications of biotechnology in diagnosis, prophylaxis and antiviral chemotherapy are essential objectives. These objectives will be achieved through frontal lectures, seminars and interactive teaching activities, designed to facilitate learning and improve the ability to address and solve the main questions of Medical Microbiology.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of the Course of Microbiology, Students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate the ubiquity and diversity of microorganisms in the human body and the environment.
2. Illustrate the distinctive features of the different types of microorganisms and their ecological niche.
3. Explore mechanisms by which microorganisms cause disease (microbial pathogenicity and virulence).
4. Show how the human immune system counteracts infection by means of specific and nonspecific mechanisms.
5. Know the main human pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites) and the diseases they cause.
6. Recognize the way of transmission of infectious agents in hospitals, communities and populations and the methods used to control it
7. Demonstrate the principles of vaccine preparation and the use of vaccines in immunization practice.
8. Define the role of disinfection and sterilization in the context of the patient care and the environment.
9. Illustrate the basic principles and functioning of the common antimicrobials (antibiotics, antivirals, antifungal and antiparasite agents) .
10. Be aware of the contribution of the microbiology laboratory to the diagnosis and management of infectious diseases. In particular, to know the diagnostic path including collection, transport, handling an processing of clinical specimen (direct microscopic exam, staining techniques, seeding and isolation, biochemical identification, antimicrobials-sensitivity tests, cell cultures, PCR, genotyping, NGS, serology).

Knowledge and Understanding
- Assess the ubiquity and diversity of microorganisms in the human body and the environment.
- Describe the morphology and physiology of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites) and the diseases they cause.
- Understand the mutual relationship between microbes and human host in health and disease (definition and role of human microbiota).
- Explore the multiple mechanisms by which microorganisms can cause disease (microbial pathogenicity and virulence).
- Describe how human host counteracts infections by means of specific and nonspecific mechanisms (anatomical barriers, physiology of body systems, immune response, inflammation).
- Achieve the ability to integrate knowledge about microbial structure, antigenicity and pathogenicity from the molecular to the clinical level..
- Understand the consequences of alterations at the cellular and organ level in relation to transmission of infectious agents.
- Learn to interpret appropriate laboratory and diagnostic studies for each human pathogen.
- Identify the best practice to prevent and/or counteract the transmission of infectious agents (sterilization, disinfection, asepsis)
- Understand the principles and functioning of antimicrobials, vaccines and serum-prophylaxis actually in use.

Applying Knowledge and Understanding
- Apply the general microbiological knowledge to the clinical setting, being able to understand the basic principles of infectious diseases.
- Approach to the main diagnostic tests to assess infectivity and/or disease in hospital, communities and populations.
- Provide a differential diagnosis of microbial diseases based on the identification of specific signs and symptoms and the interpretation of laboratory data, providing a comprehensive explanation of the underlying reasoning.
- Describe the practical aspects of the diagnostic instruments in microbiology: when to use them and how to perform them in research laboratories and clinical settings.



Making Judgments
- Recognize the importance of an in-depth knowledge of general and medical microbiology consistent with a proper medical education.
- Identify the fundamental role of a proper theoretical knowledge of microbes and antimicrobials in the clinical practice
- Recognize the relevance of the microbiological research in social politics of promotion of public health and environmental defense.
- Be able to critically argue the findings obtained in the microbiological field in relation to data available in the actual international literature.

Communication Skills
- Present the topics orally in an organized and consistent manner.
- Use of proper scientific language coherent with the topic of discussion.
- Be capable to have a discussion in class with other students on the microbiological topics addressed in previous lessons and/or topics of public interest on microbiological issues, possibly utilizing different supports such as ppt presentation and consultation of scientific and institutional databases (Pub Med, Scopus, Italian Ministry of Health, etc.)

Learning Skills
at the end of the integrated teaching, the student will acquire skills useful to deepen and expand their knowledge in the field of the course, also through the consultation of scientific literature, databases, specialized websites.