Microbiologia Molecular
Objectives
After this unit, students should be able to:
1. To understand and distinguish concepts of bacterial identification and typing.
2. To know the processes of transfer of genetic information in prokaryotes.
3. To know the main tools for the molecular detection of opportunistic fungal infections.
4. To understand the different steps of the viral replication cycle and the molecular interactions established during the viral replication cycle by viruses of different families with animal cells.
5. To recognize the diversity of rapid diagnostic tests and their applications; particularly in the context of tropical diseases and decentralized diagnosis (point-of-care).
6. To understand the principles and execute some main molecular protocols used in the laboratorial diagnosis of infections caused by bacteria, fungi or viruses.
7. To understand the fundamentals of molecular diagnostic methods, advantages limitations and validation.
General characterization
Code
9512064
Credits
Available soon
Responsible teacher
Available soon
Hours
Weekly - Available soon
Total - 168
Teaching language
PT
Prerequisites
Attendance of 2/3 of classes is mandatory.
Bibliography
Attendance of 2/3 of classes is mandatory.
Teaching method
The total contact hours will be distributed by fourteen lectures and six classes of laboratory practice.
Evaluation method
Students with 2/3 of class attendance will be evaluated through a written exam of multiple choice questions, focusing on the content of theoretical and practical classes (100% total classification, rating scale: 0 to 20).
Students rated 9.5 or higher in this exam will be approved.
Subject matter
Theoretical component:
I. The concept of bacterial species.
II. Molecular methods of identification and typing. Hibridization and amplification of nucleic acids.
III. Transfer of genetic information in prokaryotes.
IV. Molecular tools for the detection of fungi in clinical samples.
V. Entry of viruses into cells. Replication strategies of viruses with DNA, and RNA genomes. Virion assembly and release from cells.
VI. New technologies (biosensors, microarrays, paper microfluidics).
VII. Applications of molecular tools to the microbiological diagnosis and its validation.
Practical component:
I. Application of PCR and reverse hybridization for the detection of M. tuberculosis DNA in sputa.
II. Use of multiplex PCR and real-time PCR for the detection of T. pallidum DNA in a sample of genital ulcer exudates of patients with suspected primary syphilis.
III. Application of different protocols for fungal DNA extraction and identification.
IV. Extraction and analysis of RNA of hepatitis C virus (HCV) from a plasma sample.