Challenges and Perspectives in Microbial Biology
Objectives
Within the scope of this Curricular Unit, students should acquire /develop the following competencies: 1. Analyze and critically assess experimental work protocols, in areas of Microbial Biology (broad sense), with relevance to Medical Microbiology, covering Medical Bacteriology, Virology and Mycology; 2. Apply directed autonomous research methodologies, based on scientific papers previously provided by the faculty; 3. Synthesize key ideas, from diverse sources of information, previously validated, from a scientific point of view; 4.Acquire scientific hypothesis formulation and problem solving skills in Medical Microbiology; 5.Use the principles of science communication for the production of a piece of news for scientific dissemination and its oral presentation. It is intended that the contact of doctoral students with a high number of research proposals in the area of Microbial Biology contributes to the general objective of gradually improving, over the course of the study cycle, their ability to independently plan a research project.
General characterization
Code
5573044
Credits
4
Responsible teacher
João Piedade
Hours
Weekly - 13
Total - 38
Teaching language
Portuguese
Prerequisites
Attendance of 2/3 of classes is mandatory
Bibliography
• Specific scientific papers, to be suggested by the faculty, according to the topics to be addressed. • Barroso, H.; Meliço-Silvestre, A.; Taveira, N. (Eds.) (2014). Microbiologia Médica – Volumes 1 e 2. Edições Lidel, Lisboa. ISBN: 9789897520570 (vol. 1) e 9789727575763 (vol. 2). • Canas Ferreira, W.F.; Sousa, J.C.F. and Lima, N. (Eds.) (2010). Microbiologia. Edições Lidel, Lisboa. ISBN: 9789727575152. • Murray, P.R.; Rosenthal, K.S.; Pfaller, M.A. (2013). Medical Microbiology. 7th Ed. Elsevier Mosby Saunders, St. Louis, EUA. ISBN: 9780323086929.
Teaching method
The use of a “flipped classroom” approach will allow doctoral students to explore the pre-selected contents, independently, at home, using, as a starting point, the scientific papers previously provided, which may be complemented with other additional study resources. The contact time in the classroom will be optimized and dedicated to free discussions and exploration of key points of each of the papers under analysis, with the aim of further deepening each topic. These classes are fundamentally of a tutorial nature.
Evaluation method
i) Production of a piece of news for scientific dissemination for the general press on a topic to be selected from those previously addressed. ii) Oral presentation of the topic and the respective piece of news for scientific dissemination, followed by discussion, with the joint participation of all faculty and doctoral students.
Subject matter
The generic concepts and tools of analysis and research relevant to Microbial Biology (broad sense) will be presented, in their specific application to Medical Microbiology, applied to epidemiology, pathophysiology, prophylaxis, laboratory diagnosis and therapy of microbial infections of various etiologies, in their relationship with the infected host. Particular attention will be paid to the interpretation and integration of information obtained from new technologies for the molecular characterization of microorganisms, both from an epidemiological standpoint and as an aid to diagnosis. For this aim, it is intended that doctoral students make contact with the different research topics of the Medical Microbiology Unit of the IHMT, preparing in advance, autonomously, and critically debating, in tutorial guidance sessions, one or more published scientific works previously provided by the faculty.