The Microbiota and Health course aims to provide students with comprehensive knowledge of the various aspects related to the analysis of the microbiome and its role in both health and disease stages, utilizing computational and experimental techniques. The course will focus on the microbiota's significance in digestive and immunomodulatory processes, homeostasis, and its involvement in the etiopathogenesis of intestinal and systemic diseases. This will be achieved through a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating genomic, ecological, bioinformatics, microbiological, and immunological perspectives.

The course's primary objective is to equip students with the necessary tools for a deeper understanding of the biological and evolutionary processes of microbial communities residing in the human body, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, the course will explore how manipulating these microbial communities, through interventions like dietary adjustments, probiotics, or intestinal microbiota transplantation, can offer therapeutic benefits.

Knowledge and Understanding: The student should demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of microbiota analysis techniques and its significant role in various health and disease stages. Additionally, the student must grasp the fundamental principles governing the design and development of conventional and experimental microbiota-related interventions and their corresponding immunological responses. The evaluation will encompass a written test and potentially an oral examination.

Ability to Apply Knowledge and Understanding: The student must be capable of using the appropriate scientific terminology to clearly present the topics studied during the course related to microbiota and health.

Autonomous Judgment: The student must demonstrate the ability to critically apply the acquired knowledge to address questions and challenges related to microbiota and health. These skills will be assessed through a written test and, if applicable, through oral questions.

Communication Skills: The student must be proficient in clearly describing the topics learned during the course, using suitable terminology and relevant examples, particularly focusing on microbiota and its impact on health.

Learning Skills: The student should demonstrate the capability to undertake a path of scientific growth in a critical and autonomous manner, utilizing study materials provided by the teacher and engaging in additional self-directed in-depth studies. The teacher will encourage the development of these skills by proposing insights discussed during the lessons or laboratory activities.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Frontal lessons

Course books

Teacher's  handsout

Assessment

The exam consists of a written test.

The purpose of the written test is to verify the student's skills in the field of Microbiota and Health. 

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Frontal lessons

Course books

Teacher's  handsout

Assessment

The exam consists of a written test.

The purpose of the written test is to verify the student's skills in the field of Microbiota and Health. 

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.