Challenges and Perspectives in Microbial Biology
Objectives
Within the scope of this Curricular Unit, students should acquire /develop the following competencies: 1. Knowledge about the different areas of Medical Microbiology, including Bacteriology, Virology and Mycology. 2. Development of self-learning capacity to solve real-life situations with medical impact. 3. Acquisition of learning competences on raising and testing of scientific hypotheses and solving clinical and laboratory case-studies in Medical Microbiology.
General characterization
Code
5573044
Credits
4
Responsible teacher
Miguel Viveiros Bettencourt
Hours
Weekly - 13
Total - 38
Teaching language
Portuguese
Prerequisites
Attendance of 2/3 of classes is mandatory
Bibliography
• Canas Ferreira, W.F., Sousa J.C.F. and Lima N. (Eds.) (2010). Microbiologia. Edições Lidel, Lisboa. ISBN 9789727575152. • Barroso H, Meliço Silvestre A, Taveira N (Eds) (2014). Microbiologia Médica – Volumes I e II, Edições Lidel, Lisboa. ISBN: 9789727575763. • Murray, P.R., Rosenthal, K.S., Pfaller M.A. (2013). Medical Microbiology. 7th Edition. Elsevier Mosby Saunders, St. Louis, EUA. ISBN: 9780323086929. • Patricia, M. Tille. (2013) Bailey and Scott's Diagnostic Microbiology. Elsevier, 13ª Ed. ISBN: 9780323083300. Reviews and other scientific articles, to be suggested by teachers, according to the topics covered.
Teaching method
Tutorial classes with one element from each team of Medical Microbiology, with an annotated presentation of the published works and complementary bibliography, followed by a joint debate; If necessary, these can be complemented by theoretical-practical tutorial classes to illustrate the application of the methodologies addressed to the diagnosis / monitoring / characterization of infections of bacterial, fungal or viral origin.
Evaluation method
i) Preparation of one journal article for the general and scientific press, on a theme chosen randomly among the various teams participating in the CU. ii) Presentation of the journal article, followed by discussion, with teachers and other colleagues in 2 hours of joint seminar.
Subject matter
The concepts and basic tools of analysis and research relevant to the microbiology and medical mycology applied to pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical / laboratory diagnosis and treatment of microbial infections will be presented. It is intended that students acquire scientific-professional skills: I. On the theoretical concepts of microbial pathologies and their agents, prevention, prophylaxis, diagnosis, treatment and epidemiological control relating to the human host and its susceptibility; II. On the application of the scientific methodology to act in the specific areas previously mentioned, in a conscious and autonomous way; III. On the different strategies of clinical-laboratory diagnosis in Medical Microbiology; IV. On the theoretical bases of antimicrobial chemotherapeutic and drug resistance mechanisms; V. On the interpretation and integration of the information coming from the new technologies of molecular characterization of microorganisms, both in the epidemiological perspective and as an aid to the diagnosis; VI. Methods of integration in teamwork and networking in order to enhance synergies and make financial and human resources available for the epidemiological control of certain microbial diseases and in particular for the control and prevention of nosocomial infection; VII. On quality control research and laboratory diagnosis. For this purpose students will rotate between the research teams of the UEI Medical Microbiology, seizing and debating critically one or more papers recently published by each of these teams that illustrate the application of the competences mentioned above.