4
Knowledge to acquire
Cell Biology of Host-Pathogen Interaction – cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix, inter cell junctions, endocytosis and cell traffic; mechanisms of programmed cell death. Bacterial adhesion and tropism. Signaling. Bacterial invasion. Bacterial mechanisms to escape the intracellular killing; to the endocytic pathways and cellular traffic. Pathogen interaction with the innate and adaptive immune system; Bacterial toxins as cell biology tools Tools and methodologies to view cellular components and studying interaction with microorganism
Define potential therapeutic targets for infections / inflammation control.
Skills to acquire
the knowledge of eukaryotic cell functions and the interaction with pathogens in a Integrated manner
the knowledge of laboratory tools
to develop the capacity for self-learning and critical analysis
Communication of science in a clear and concise way
Obtain skills to formulate sustained working hypotheses
ECM and Host Cell Surfaces: Sites of Pathogen Interaction adhesion molecules and mechanisms of bacterial invasion LABORATORY macrophage culture: flow cytometry; fibronetin and PMA to promote adhesion
Cytoskeleton and membrane traffic in the endocytic pathway Bacterial manipulation of the host cytoskeleton, lipid signalling for actin; membrane trafficking during infection: Rabs and SNARES; host micro RNAs.
LABORATORY Infection of macrophages and intracellular survival. Phagosome maturation by immunofluorescence.
Immunity during infection Pathogens and the innate and adaptative immune system; Cellular assays for phagocytosis; programmed cell death induction by pathogens; Bacterial toxins as tools in cell biology.
LABORATORY Production of NO and cytokines in infected cells (Fluorometry, ELISA and Qt-RT-PCR)
PRACTICALS themes for evaluation. Scientific writing; bibliographic edition, lab work plan. Discussion of results.