Molecular basis of infectious diseases

This UE consists mainly of theoretical courses dealing with 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 study technologies) Strategies of pathogenic bacteria to survive in organisms: 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 in phagocytic cells, membrane permeability management, 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 in unicellular eukaryotic parasites (invasion and modification of the host cell; metabolic particularities and therapeutic targets); Genetics and molecular biology (genome organization, antigenic variation); Physiopathology and escape from the immune response.

Virology: Molecular mechanisms of the viral cycle; Expression of viral genomes; Transformation by viruses; Viral replication strategy; Plasticity of viral genomes; Structural importance of viruses in host interaction; 

The program is an in-depth study at molecular level of concepts already partially covered at L level (S5 and S6 in particular). It is essentially oriented towards the study of the mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis. During the course of the UE, students begin to acquire methodological skills and develop a critical understanding of the elements of diagnosis, pathogenesis and the biological bases of therapeutics. In this way, the UE prepares future doctoral students for various academic or industrial research careers in the field of health-related microbiology.

In the second semester, this UE is supplemented by a UE dealing with the same themes, with an emphasis on methodological aspects and more in-depth interaction with the host based on article analysis (TD).

Basic knowledge of molecular and cellular biology. L3-level knowledge of parasitology, bacteriology and virology.

Recommended prerequisites: Reading of microbiology-related articles in scientific journals.

Session 1: Written (75%) + Continuous assessment (25%) 

Session 2: Oral (100%)