CPES SV S5 profile Microbiology

This practical course aims to apply students' knowledge of microbiology and molecular biology to the identification of environmental bacteria.

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the bacterial population present in a soil sample is classically done by identifying species using conventional bacteriological methods in successive stages: 1) isolation of bacterial flora; 2) diagnosis of family and genus using conventional media and tests; 3) diagnosis of species using API System galleries.

Molecular biology techniques now make it possible to identify the bacteria present in a sample without the need for cultivation. This approach requires access to a sequencing platform and will also be carried out as part of the practical work, enabling the two approaches to be compared. The sequencing results obtained will enable bioinformatic analysis of the rrsA gene specifying the RNA16S of isolated bacteria.

See full page

This course describes the methodology used by life science researchers to communicate the results of their experiments, both orally and in writing. As English is the common language of international researchers, a large part of this course is taught in this language.

Written communication is addressed through the study of the (macro) structuring of a research article, as well as through a study of the publication process in scientific journals. Several elements of written structuring (micro) are examined in order to understand the differences between scientific and literary English: clarity, cohesion, coherence.

These studies are supplemented by a tutored project during the semester, during which students analyze a research article recently published in the scientific literature and transcribe it into an oral presentation (conference) in English.

See full page

This EU is the logical continuation of the S4 EU (Basics of physiology and immunology) and aims to deepen knowledge of fundamental, applied and clinical immunology. We will also cover "unconventional" immunology and develop innovative immunotherapy strategies. The course will cover all aspects of modern immunology, with a strong emphasis on clinical aspects.

 Key words

Fundamental immunology, Anti-infectious immunity, Immunotherapy, vaccination, Autoimmunity, Immune deficiencies, Anti-cancer immunity, Non-conventional immunity

See full page

Molecular biology is a fascinating subject of study in its own right, but it also provides other disciplines in biology (cell biology, genetics, physiology...) with fantastic tools for modifying and quantifying genes and their products.

The EU provides a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of organization, maintenance, replication and expression (transcription, post-transcriptional modifications, translation) of eukaryotic genomes.

In particular, we'll be exploring the properties of information-carrying macromolecules (DNA, RNA, proteins), and how transactions between them explain how eukaryotic cells function and adapt to the environment and to the development of organisms.

At the same time, the main techniques for monitoring or modifying gene expression, or for studying the mechanisms of this expression, will be explained in class and analyzed in greater depth in practical sessions.

TDs will address these topics in the form of (1) exercises enabling students to check their understanding of the knowledge described above, and (2) experiments extracted from scientific articles to be analyzed. In this way, the fundamentals of scientific reasoning and the critical analysis of results are acquired and/or deepened.

See full page

This course is designed to deepen the knowledge of microbiology for students wishing to continue their studies in this discipline.

It will cover molecular genetics applied to prokaryotes (mobile genetic elements and resistance, CRISPR, 2-component systems, quorum sensing, horizontal transfers...) and the specificities of bacterial metabolism.

Bacteria with special morphology will be presented.  

In virology, the pathophysiology of viral infections and the prevention and control of viral diseases will be presented. Mechanisms of escape from the immune system will be detailed. Viral evolution mechanisms will be described and related to viral emergence.

The parasitic lifestyle of certain eukaryotic microorganisms will be illustrated by describing their obligatory intracellular development and the host cell modifications induced by these parasites.

Lastly, the EU will look at the concept of the microbiota and present the latest data on the nature of the human microbiota and its role in health.

See full page