94407 - Microbial Genomics For Risk Analysis In The Food Chain

Learning outcomes

Students will acquire knowledges on the benefits and challenges of microbial genomics applied to outbreak investigation, source attribution and risk assessment.

Course contents

• Whole genome sequencing platforms and technologies
• Introduction to microbial risk analysis
WGS and outbreak investigation (definition of outbreak, subtyping approaches, platforms for real-time outbreak investigation)
• WGS and source attribution (frequency-matching, machine learning, network models)
• Genome Wide Association Studies and prediction of phenotypic traits
• WGS and risk assessment (pathogen typing and characterization for hazard identification, prediction of virulence potential for dose-response relationships in hazard characterization, prediction of phenotypic traits associated to growth/survival for exposure assessment)

Readings/Bibliography

Notes of lectures; scientific publications introduced during lectures

Teaching methods

Oral lectures; game-based learning in which students will play the role of epidemiologists within an outbreak investigation; use of Kahoot! platform to verify in real-time the acquisition of knowledges by the classroom

In relation of the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, the attendance of this training activity requires for all students to carry out by e-learning the Modules 1 and 2 (https://www.unibo.it/it/servizi-e -opportunities / health-and-assistance / health-and-safety / safety-and-health-in-places-of-study-and-training)

Assessment methods

The oral examination will verify the theoretical and applicative knowledges of the student. Particularly positive will be evaluated the ability to move within the different topics and the achievement of an organic knowledge of the topics presented

Teaching tools

projector, computer

Office hours

See the website of Frederique Pasquali