Molecular basis of infectious diseases

This UE is mainly composed of theoretical courses dealing with molecular aspects of infectious diseases (bacteriology, virology, parasitology)

Bacteriology: The nature of infectious agents. Methods of 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 survival of bacteria in phagocytic cells, management of membrane permeability, bacterial secretion systems (type I, II, III, IV, V, and VI), mechanisms of iron acquisition, bacterial exotoxins, bacterial biofilms, examples of environmental regulations (Thermo-regulation, Quorum sensing...)).

Parasitology: Organization and cellular physiology of major pathogens in parasitic unicellular eukaryotes (invasion and modification of the host cell; metabolic characteristics 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 a deepening at the molecular level of notions already partially covered at the 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. Thus, the course prepares future PhD students for various academic or industrial research careers in the field of health-related microbiology.

This UE is completed in the second semester by a UE addressing the same themes by insisting on the methodological aspects and by deepening the interactions with the host on the basis of analysis of articles (TD).

Basic knowledge in molecular and cellular biology. Knowledge at L3 level in parasitology, bacteriology, virology

Recommended Prerequisites: Reading of articles related to microbiology in scientific journals.

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

Session 2: Oral (100%)