Microbiology & Parasitology

Recommended Prerequisites

- Cell Biology: Cellular structural elements;

- Biochemistry: Biomembranes; metaboli pathways (anabolism and catabolism); fatty acid, protein and nucleic acid synthesis  synthesis

- Basic microscopy knowledge.

The student must have basic skills in english language and in informatics. It should be also able to use lectronic resources for bibliographic search.

Teaching Methods

Theoretical classes (T- 40h) will used to taught the theoric concepts of Microbiology. To complete this component, there will be application modules at the end of each theme. In other TP classes (in a total of 8h) important themes of modern medical microbiology will be introduced to students. Practical classes (PL – 32h) focus in microbial diagnosis. During certain practical classes the students will be asked to orally present relevant themes and to solve problems, with the help of the recommended manuals. The subject evaluation system will be as follows: Final exam – 60%; Continuous – 40%

Learning Outcomes

The Microbiology and Parasitology subject studies the medical microbiology, including the pillars of bacteriology, virology, mycology and parasitology.  The student will be leaded through the basic knowledge of microbiology, enabling the recognition of the microbes that are agents of human pathology, their biological characteristics with relevance to its mechanism of pathogenicity. Among the aims of the subject are also the relation host-microbe, the compreention of the assicated pathology, the laboratory diagnosis techniques, and prinicples of prevention and prophylaxis. The importance of the human microflora should be recognized by the student who also will be introduced in the concepts of aseptic conditions and sterility, together with the definition of biosafety levels.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Part A

1. Asepsis, desinfection and sterilization: theoretical basis and ability to perform related techniques; 2. Biosafety levels

Part B

1. Biological characteristics (structure, phyisiology and genetics) of bacteria, virus, fungi and parasites; discriminatory characteristics between diferente groups of microbes agentes of human pathology; 2. Human microflora constitution; impact of human microflora in health and disease.

Part C

1. Agents of human disease: mecanisms of pathogenicity, transmission modes , epidemiology, prophyilaxis; 2. Microbe-host interaction; 3. Theoretical and practical aspects of the laboratory diagnosis of human infection both using classic techniques and novel technologies.

Head Lecturer(s)

Teresa Maria Fonseca Oliveira Gonçalves

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Laboratory work or Field work: 10.0%
Resolution Problems: 30.0%
Exam: 60.0%

Bibliography

- Murray, P.R. Medical Microbiology, 7th EDITION

- Mims et al., Medical Microbiology, 3rd edition

- Medical Microbiology, Kayser et al., 10th edition, Thieme, Stuttgart, 2004

- Brock, Biology of Microorganisms, Madigan et al., 10th Ed.

- Manual prático de Microbiologia (disponibilizado na intranet)