Objectives and competences

The main objectives of this unit are to show:

• General aspects of the Biology of Protozoa and multicellular parasites in the context of the Microbiology;
• The host-parasite interaction, evasion and infection mechanisms
• The impact of parasitic infections in public health

Be aware of some of the R&D priorities in this area.

By the end of the unit the students should be able:

• To identify some protozoa and multicellular parasites and be able to recognize their impact on public health;
• To know the fundamental aspects of laboratorial tools by using experimental parasite models;
• To recognize fungi as a major group of organisms;

Teaching Methodologies

The unit comprises Lectures, theoretical and practical, Laboratory Work and Tutorials.

During lectures, the major themes of the course are introduced to the students, through the use of illustrative slides of the matter. The key concepts of each subject, which are essential for the understanding of more complex subsequent issues, are explained. These classes are organized in  two-hour  blocks allowing  exposure  of  the  main  subjects, often  using  practical  examples  of research and development and challenging students to contribute with questions and reflections throughout the session.

The  Lab  classes,  OT  (tutorial)  and  TP  (theoretical  and  practical)  complement  the  theoretical sessions, consolidating the objectives of the course.
The TP classes enable students to consolidate knowledge explained in theoretical classes and relate them to the implications on public health and practical aspects of diagnosis.

The tutorial classes intends to raise awareness of scientific practices research applications by discussion of concrete scientific articles and pointing for the scientific priorities.  The aim is to induce and alert students to scientific research by reading selected articles.

Syllabus

Lectures

• Host-parasite interaction
• Intestinal Protozoa: biology, immunopathology, diagnosis

Some specific groups:

• Toxoplasma gondii transmission: biology and transmission
• Plasmodium spp. and malaria; other Apicomplexa
• Free-living amoebae

Biology of multicellular parasites associated with cancer.

• Biology, transmission and immunopathology of Schistosoma spp.
• Parasite Evasion

Practical

• Thick and blood smear
• Giemsa and Acid-fast staining
• Microscopic observation of Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax
• Method 1623 – EPA/USA
• Epifluorescence microscopy
• Protozoa and cell culture
• Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis, bioassay tests

Tutorials

• Presentation of scientific theme and scientific report preparation