Molecular Bases of Infectious Diseases

This course unit consists primarily of lectures covering the molecular aspects of infectious diseases (bacteriology, virology, parasitology)

Bacteriology: The nature of infectious agents. Methods for studying pathogenesis (in vivo, in vitro, in silico, and post-genomic research technologies) Strategies of pathogenic bacteria for survival within hosts: Bacterial adhesion to eukaryotic cells, antigenic variation and phase variation, invasion of non-phagocytic eukaryotic cells, mechanisms of resistance to phagocytosis, mechanisms of bacterial survival within phagocytic cells, regulation of membrane permeability, bacterial secretion systems (types I, II, III, IV, V, and VI), iron acquisition mechanisms, bacterial exotoxins, bacterial biofilms, examples of environmental regulation (thermoregulation, quorum sensing, etc.).

Parasitology: Organization and cellular physiology of major pathogens within parasitic unicellular eukaryotes (invasion and modification of the host cell; metabolic characteristics and therapeutic targets); Genetics and Molecular Biology (genome organization, antigenic variation); Pathophysiology and evasion of the immune response

Virology: Molecular mechanisms of the viral life cycle; Expression of viral genomes; Viral transformation; Viral replication strategies; Plasticity of viral genomes; Structural significance of viruses in host-virus interactions; 

The course provides an in-depth exploration at the molecular level of concepts already partially covered in Level L (particularly S5 and S6). It focuses primarily on the study of the mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis. During the course, students begin to acquire methodological skills and develop a critical understanding of diagnostic elements, pathogenesis, and the biological foundations of therapeutics. Thus, the course prepares future doctoral students for various academic or industrial research careers in the field of health-related microbiology.

This course unit is supplemented in the second semester by a course unit that addresses the same topics, with an emphasis on methodological aspects and a deeper exploration of interactions with the host based on the analysis of articles (tutorials).

Basic knowledge of molecular and cellular biology. Knowledge equivalent to the third year of undergraduate studies in parasitology, bacteriology, and virology

Recommended prerequisites: Reading articles on microbiology in scientific journals.

Session 1: Written Exam (75%) + Continuous Assessment (25%) 

Session 2: Oral (100%)