CPES SV S6 profile Microbiology

Bacteriology :

Through various examples, students will gain a better understanding of the notion of pathogenicity in relation to bacterial virulence. The means and mechanisms used to manipulate the organism's cells at mucosal level in order to penetrate the internal 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 group behavior. The description of some examples of toxins and modulins in relation to colonization and/or invasion will provide a better understanding of the differences in strategies between prokaryotic pathogens. Finally, we'll look at the notion of the microbiota and its influence on the functioning of the organism, as well as its implication in the development of certain pathologies.

Immunology:

The Immunology section outlines the workings of the immune system during infection. From the establishment and development of the inflammatory reaction upon recognition of non-self signals by natural immunity (PRR-PAMP), to the mechanisms of cell activation and the cellular responses generated, we can appreciate the diversity of possibilities offered by the different players in the immune system. In addition, the sequence of events leading to the orientation of the immune response and the acquisition of lasting protection during the adaptive phase will provide a better understanding of vaccine strategy. Finally, immunity of the intestinal mucosa will be addressed in the context of the relationship between the host and the microbiota.

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The Molecular Biology practical course is designed to give students autonomy when faced with a molecular biology protocol, and to introduce them to hypothesis-driven research. Students will have 6 days to respond to a biological problem proposed to them. In this way, they will be able to put into practice, under laboratory conditions, some of the techniques they have learnt in their theoretical courses, and gain a better understanding of them.

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Lessons will cover the basics and application principles of microbial ecology (microbial biodiversity; cultivable/non-cultivable microorganisms; major microbial groups, main microbial functions and biogeochemical cycles, microbial metabolisms in the environment and environmental applications, basics of ecology applicable to microorganisms (microbial interactions, free life, competition, collaboration, symbiosis, parasitism and their applications). In particular, the following topics will be covered by way of illustration

- viruses: the notion of emergence and re-emergence

-vibrios, virulence factors, host adaptation and horizontal transfer

-streptococci, comparative genomics, genomic reduction, specialization

 Applications of microbial ecology to biotechnologies will include: detection, inocula production, bioproductions, bioremediation, water treatment using concrete examples (development of mutation-aware multipathogen detection tools, production of a flavor enhancer by a soil corynebacterium, applications of microbial interaction studies to cheese flavor selection, quality index of a wine-growing soil, etc.).

Practical water analysis, principles, standards, applications: total 6h

TD/ personal work based on the results of the practical work: design of a water purification model in a real-life situation (cadastral data, topological survey, fecal streptococcal total coliform load from the practical work, student presentation on the different types of (micro)purification plants....) the aim is to propose a conceptual solution adapted to the field case.

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In this course, students will learn experimental principles based on the manipulation of nucleic acids. The lectures will be structured around two major themes:

1. Introduction of molecular tools (cloning, nucleic acid analysis, vectorology) ii. Their applications (expression of recombinant proteins, genomic banking, transgenesis, CRISPR/CAS9 system, etc.) and reflection on the notion of ethics in biology.

The TDs will consist of :

- Analysis of articles presenting problems to be solved with the knowledge acquired in the course. As far as possible, the themes chosen will refer to the parallel UEs of L3. These articles will be presented by students in the form of oral presentations in groups of 3 or 4 to the whole class.

- Sessions reserved for the use of basic bioinformatics tools in the computer room.

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The aim of this course is to acquire knowledge of fundamental and applied virology, with an emphasis on an integrative vision of the discipline. It will present the specific features of host-virus interactions and the pathophysiology of viral infections in different host types (vertebrates/insects/plants). It will cover aspects of viral ecology, emergence and associated risks for human and animal health. Finally, the course will present the study methods used in research, virological detection and diagnosis tools, and the applications of viruses in biotechnology.

The course will include lectures, tutorials (analysis of current scientific articles and oral presentations) and practical work illustrating the lectures and tutorials (virus amplification and purification, and quantification using reference techniques).

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