General microbiology

Theory

Course Description:

This course delves into the invisible world of microbes, highlighting their crucial roles in daily life and various ecosystems. While the majority of microbes are beneficial, protecting our biosphere, a minority are responsible for diseases. Students will explore the specific characteristics of microbes, their interactions with the environment and humans, and the genomic plasticity that enables horizontal gene transfer between species, leading to the emergence of more virulent or resistant variants. The course will examine the impact of these microorganisms on disease evolution and antimicrobial resistance, with a focus on prevention and control methods, including hygiene, antimicrobial agents, and immunoprophylaxis. The second part of the course will cover the characteristics of yeasts, fungi, protozoa, and helminths, along with an introduction to biosafety practices and basic microbiology techniques.

 

Table of Contents:

- Introduction
- Historical Background
- Bacteria (Parts 1 and 2)
- Fungi
- Parasites
- Concept of Infectious Diseases
- Control of Infectious Diseases

Practical work for biomedicine

Dear students, 
do you know what looks like a laboratory of clinical microbiology? How the samples are processed to obtain the identification of causal agents  of infection and how are performed the susceptibility testing for bacteria and fungi? What are the different activity sectors represented in the lab?
In order to update your knowledge in microbiology, the practical's introduce essentials in biosecurity, the mandatory hygiene rules such as hand washing but also the basic techniques used in microbiology for diagnosing infectious diseases.
 

Theory

At the end of the course, the student will be able to:

• identify the main microbial challenges on the earth
• describe the importance of mortality associated to infectious diseases and the evolution/emergence of infectious diseases
• summarize a few important milestones in the microbial history
• describe the different groups of microorganisms and their characteristics
• explain the important role and characteristics of biofilms
• describe the main points of bacterial genetics and genome plasticity
• report the principles of beneficials aspects of microbes
• summarize the different symbiotic and pathogenic  relationships between microorganisms and human beings.
• list the main bacterial virulence factors
• describe the different modes of transmission of microbes to or between human beings
• understand and summarize human defenses against microbial attack and prevention strategies (food security, access to drinking water, vaccines, sterilization - disinfection, antibiotics).
• list the main groups of antibiotics, mode of action and resistance mechanisms
• describe the principles of the main microbial methods used for clinical diagnostics

Practical work for biomedicine

At end of the practical's the students will be able to:

• apply the basic knowledge acquired in biosecurity
• have a basic hand hygiène
• inoculate a sample on agar media and to know the characteristics of culture media
• observe and comment the morphology of bacterial colonies on agar media and also on Gram staining
• describe the methods for the detection and identification of microorganisms used in the laboratory (for the detection of bacteria, yeasts, filamentous fungi)

Theory

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program.

Practical work for biomedicine

Therorethical knowledge given in the general microbiology course.

Theory

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Practical work for biomedicine

The practical in General Microbiology consists of 2 two-hours sessions in the laboratory preceded by an e-learning granting the student with a pass to the practical's in the laboratory.  The e-learning is available on e-Campus and must be completed and granted with a pass before the practical's.  The e-learning consists of 5 modules including iSpring-type presentations covering the theoretical matters to master for the practical's and are illustrated by videos.

• Module 1: Biosecurity orders for practice in L2 laboratory
• Module 2: The bacteria
• Module 3: Identification of bacteria
• Module 4: Yeasts and filamentous fungi
• Module 5: Hand and cough hygiene

Theory

Blended learning


Further information:

Face-to-face lectures or online course and podcasts and practical's at the bench


Methods for microbial identification are described shortly in the face-to-face lectures and are widely described and performed during the practical's.

Dias and podscasts are accessible through eCampus.

Practical work for biomedicine

Face-to-face course


Further information:

 

• Practicals are organised in groups coached by teaching students that are supervised by Khaled El Moussaoui, scientist in clinical microbiology.
• To comply with biosecurity rules, wearing a lab coat is mandatory. Disposable hand gloves are available for handling biological material.
• The presence in the practical's is COMPULSORY. Each absence has to be justified by a medical certificate which should be transmitted to Rosale Sacheli R.sacheli@chuliege.be

Theory

Sets of slides of lectures as well as syllabus of pratical's, posted on the ULg website, which can be downloaded by the concerned students, are compulsory.

The eLearning material for 5 modules to perform preliminary to the practicals is available on the eCampus platform

The following books are good references related to the course:

• MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY, Mims C. et al, 6th Ed.,2018, Elsevier
• INTRODUCION A LA MICROBIOLOGIE, Tortora G.J. et al, 2nd Ed., 2012, ERPI, Editions du Renouveau Pédagogique Inc.
• BROCK BIOLOGY OF MICROORGANISMS, MT Madigan et al, 14th Ed, 2014,Pearson
• THE MICROBIAL CHALLENGE, Krasner R., 2002, Ed. ASM PRESS
• MICROBIOLOGIE, Prescott, Willey JM et al, Traduction de la 5ème Ed,2018, Ed.De Boeck Université

Practical work for biomedicine

• The e-learning, 5 modules, on eCampus.
• A specific manual dedicated to the practical's is available online and it is mandatory to read it and have it during practicals.

Theory

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire )

Written work / report


Further information:

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire )

Written work / report


Further information:

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire )

Written work / report


Further information:

xxx

Practical work for biomedicine

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire )


Further information:

see MICR0120 Theory

Theory

 See Reference Practical's of the MICR0120

Practical work for biomedicine

Possibility to apply for teaching students.
Some students from masters may be selected to become "tutors" for other students attending the practical's of general and medical microbiology.
Conditions :

• good results at the examinations of Microbiology (theory and practical lessons);
• good global results ;
• motivation.

Theory

None for theory.

Practical work for biomedicine

• Mr Khalid El Moussaoui from the clinical microbiology department of the CHU de Liege is responsible for the coordination of the practical's
• Attendance is COMPULSORY.
• The access to practical's will be prohibited if the student doesn't wear a labcoat.
• Change of groups are not allowed. 

Theory

Clinical microbiology Department
University Hospital of Liège,
B-23 Sart Tilman,
4000 LIEGE
Belgium

Secretary
For a contact or to fix an appointment, contact the secretary Mrs S Wauquier:

• Tél.: 00.32.4.323.22.90
• Fax: 00.32.4.323.22.99
• email: stephanie.wauquier@chuliege.be

Practical work for biomedicine

Responsable for practical's

Khalid El Moussaoui

 

Academic Professors teaching general microbiology


Marie-Pierre Hayette



Secretary

Mrs Stéphanie Wauquier

Tel.: 00.32.4.323.22.90

Email: micromed@uliege.be