Microbiology Profile

This laboratory session is designed to help students apply their knowledge of microbiology and molecular biology to identify bacteria in the environment.

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

Molecular biology techniques now make it possible to identify the bacteria present in a sample without the need for culture. This approach requires access to a sequencing platform and will also be carried out during lab sessions, which will allow for a comparison of the two approaches. The sequencing results obtained will enable a bioinformatics analysis of the rrsA gene encoding the 16S rRNA of the isolated bacteria.

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

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

These courses are supplemented by a supervised project during the semester, in which students are required to analyze a research article recently published in the scientific literature and present it as an oral presentation (lecture) in English.

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This course unit serves as a logical continuation of the S4 course unit (Fundamentals of Physiology and Immunology) and aims to deepen students’ knowledge of basic, applied, and clinical immunology. We will also explore “non-conventional” concepts in immunology and discuss innovative immunotherapy strategies. This course will cover all topics related to modern immunology and will have a strong focus on the clinical aspects of this discipline.

 Keywords

Basic Immunology, Anti-infectious Immunity, Immunotherapy, Vaccination, Autoimmunity, Immunodeficiencies, Anti-cancer Immunity, Non-conventional Immunity

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Molecular biology is not only a fascinating field of study in its own right, but it also provides other branches of biology (cell biology, genetics, physiology, etc.) with fantastic tools for modifying and quantifying genes and their products.

The EU is deepening our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the organization, maintenance, replication, and expression (transcription, post-transcriptional modifications, translation) of eukaryotic genomes.

In particular, we will explore the properties of information-carrying macromolecules (DNA, RNA, proteins) and how the interactions between them account for the functioning of eukaryotic cells and their adaptation to the environment and to the development of organisms.

At the same time, the main techniques used to monitor or modify gene expression—or to study the mechanisms underlying gene expression—will be covered in lectures and explored in greater depth in tutorials through the analysis of results.

Thus, the tutorials address these topics through (1) exercises that allow students to assess their understanding of the concepts described above, and (2) experiments drawn from scientific articles for analysis. In this way, students will acquire and/or deepen their understanding of the fundamentals of scientific reasoning and the critical analysis of results.

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This course unit is designed to deepen students' knowledge of microbiology for those who wish to continue their studies in this field.

It will cover molecular genetics as applied to prokaryotes (mobile genetic elements and resistance, CRISPR, the two-component system, quorum sensing, horizontal gene transfer, etc.) and the specific characteristics of bacterial metabolism.

Bacteria with distinctive morphologies will be presented.  

In virology, the pathophysiology of viral infections, as well as the prevention and control of viral diseases, will be presented. The mechanisms by which viruses evade the immune system will be discussed in detail. The mechanisms of viral evolution will be described and linked to viral emergence.

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

The EU will finally address the concept of the microbiome and present the latest data on the nature of the human microbiome and its role in health.

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