Infection & Immunity

Bacteriology:

Through various examples, students will be able to better understand the notion of pathogenicity in relation to the virulence of bacteria. The means and mechanisms used to manipulate the cells of the organism at the mucosal level in order to penetrate the interior environment, i.e. invasiveness, will be discussed as well as the perception of environmental signals and the integration of these signals in order to coordinate the response of prokaryotes so that they adopt a group behavior. The description of some examples of toxins and modulins in relation to colonization and/or invasion will allow a better understanding of the differences in strategies between prokaryotic pathogens. Finally, the notion of microbiota and its influence on the functioning of the organism as well as its implication on the development of certain pathologies will be discussed.

Immunology:

The Immunology part of the course deals with the broad outlines of the functioning of the immune system during infection. Thus, from the setting up and development of the inflammatory reaction during the recognition of non-self signals by natural immunity (PRR-PAMP) to the mechanisms of cell activation and the cellular responses generated, we will be able to appreciate the diversity of possibilities offered by the different actors of immunity. Moreover, the sequence of events leading to the orientation of the immune response and the acquisition of a durable protection during the adaptive phase will allow to better understand the vaccine strategy. Finally, the immunity of the intestinal mucosa will be discussed in the context of the relationship between the host and the microbiota

- Knowledge of factors and mechanisms of bacterial pathogenicity as well as escape mechanisms and infection control

- Linking the activity of the Immune System to the fight against pathogens

- Master the scientific process: hypothesis, experiments, observation, interpretation, conclusion

- Know how to read a scientific article in Biology in English

- Know how to criticize experiments and scientific results

Microbiology 2, Microbiology 3, Immunology