Genetics and Molecular Biology

Main objectives The course of Molecular Parasitology aims to provide students with the knowledge on the molecular mechanisms underlying the biology of parasites and vectors, their pathogenicity and their coevolution with the host, with particular interest in the vector-parasite and host-parasite molecular interplays. Human parasitic protozoa, helminths and arthropods will be part of the syllabus, with particular attention to the molecular biology of the vectors. The lessons will address different aspects of parasitological relationships, starting from the fundamental biological aspects up to the specific molecular mechanisms of parasitic life, such as evasion of the host's immune system, molecular mimesis, penetration into host cells, etc. Biotechnological approaches (-omics, transgenesis, creation of novel experimental models, etc.) that allowed in recent years to expand genomic, genetic, molecular and biochemical knowledge on parasites and on the complex interactions between different eukaryotic organisms will be also discussed. Specific objectives At the end of the lessons, the student will have acquired both the key biological competences on the discipline of Parasitology and the specific knowledge on the molecular basis of parasitological relationships, vector-parasite-host interactions, metabolism and pathogenicity of parasites. A) Knowledge and understanding. During the course, the student will be guided towards understanding the importance of studying the subject both from the point of view of basic research and from the point of view of the numerous possible applications in biomedical research, considering the considerable impact of parasitic diseases (neglected and not) on global public health. B) Ability to apply knowledge and understanding. At the end of the lessons, the students will have gained the biological and terminological competences of the subject. One of the aims of the course is to provide students with useful tools for analyzing biological problems and questions and for identifying the relevant molecular strategies useful for their study. C) Autonomy of judgment. During the course the student's ability to apply the scientific method to Molecular Parasitology will be stimulated. Many aspects of the molecular interactions that regulate parasitic life with the hosts and with the vectors are in fact still open questions, deeply studied in numerous laboratories in the world. The student will be encouraged to develop the ability to understand scientific issues, to interpret the experimental strategies applied and to evaluate the conclusions reached. D) Communication skills. The curriculum of the course encompasses different opportunities of direct communication from the student to the teacher and to the class, for example through the deepening (in groups or individually) and the exposition of specific topics of the program. The student will be directed towards choosing the appropriate literature and will be followed in the predsentation of the specific study. E) Learning skills. Learning skills will be continuously stimulated through the application of an integrated study method between texts, teaching and didactic material provided by the teacher, original articles, thematic reviews, especially through the review of the most recent scientific literature.