Laboratory models of parasitological diagnostics 1400-226MLDP

Laboratory course
Students will gain knowledge about the biology of parasites belonging to parasitic protozoan species and helminths. They will know how to: conduct culture of parasites; recognize the specific developmental forms; measure the parameters of antiparasitic response in subsequent phases of infection; recognize the immunogenicity of parasitic antigens; estimate the level of specific antibodies in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent tests; prepare and analyses somatic and excretory-secretory parasitic proteins; use bioinformatic tools to analyze the variability of parasitic DNA sequence; indicate the level of parasitemia and quantitative measure of parasitic DNA in diagnostic samples of the host.

The original material will be provided by the AmerLab Laboratory of Diagnosis of Parasitic and Animal Infections at the University of Warsaw and students will learn about the currently used diagnostic tools.

Classes are a proposal to complete the didactic offer at the Faculty of Biology as part of the biotechnology faculty specializing in medical biotechnology and to establish cooperation with the employers sector.

Classes via the internet
Based on the suggested literature and databases, students will produce the presentation of the life cycle of the experimental parasite and those parasites whose species is a model for natural infection. Students will recognize the epidemiology of parasitic diseases.
For species that are not grown in the laboratory, the parasite will be presented on the basis of internet data.
Students will evaluate and compare the diagnostic tests proposed by various companies and prove their usefulness in the diagnosis of parasitosis.

Type of course

elective courses

Prerequisites (description)

The aim of these classes is to equip the student with knowledge - on the biology of parasites, parasites and epidemiological threats with parasites, and on modern diagnostic methods in parasitology. - needed to interpret the epidemiological situation based on data arising from the work carried out in the environment and in the laboratory, and to disseminate the results of epidemiological studies. The student understands the rules for the selection of methods to identify parasites depending on the source and type of diagnostic material available and is able to use modern techniques used to assess the state of environmental contamination with parasites. Is able to plan and carry out diagnostic tests and conduct their critical evaluation in the light of possessed and acquired knowledge in the field of epidemiology. Is able to plan complex diagnostic tests in a team and correctly interprets the results of diagnostic tests. Is able to organize a parasitological diagnostic laboratory based on the latest knowledge in this field. He critically assesses scientific and popular science content on the threat of parasitic diseases and contemporary diagnostic methods, and understands his professional role in society in transferring scientifically documented knowledge. He undertakes course for the training of laboratory diagnosticians in the field of parasitology and popularization of parasitological knowledge and. laboratory diagnostics.

Course coordinators

Maria Doligalska

Learning outcomes

Knowledge: the graduate knows and understands
K_W01; knowledge in biology and mathematics, physics, biophysics and chemistry specialized in biotechnology
K_W02; knowledge in selected areas of biotechnology of microorganisms, plants, animals, industrial, medical and cellular engineering
K_W03; knowledge in the main branches of biotechnology; has knowledge of: natural terminology, the latest research, discoveries and their applications in biotechnology, medicine and agriculture
K_W04; principles of statistical inference and biotechnology methodology, testing hypotheses and the importance of the experiment.
K_W05; principles of research planning, modern data collection techniques and the use of various research tools
K_W06; ecological aspects of biotechnology allowing to see relationships and dependencies in nature.
K_W07; how to biotechnologically utilize secondary metabolism of microorganisms.
K_W09; way of implementing the production process from reactions in the body to large-scale industrial production
K_W10 detailed laboratory and industrial procedures used in biotechnology.
K_W11 forms of obtaining funds for research and economic development and rules for creating research projects.
K_W12 professional vocabulary in the field of natural sciences in a selected modern language (English).
K_W14 principles of research planning, modern data collection techniques and the use of various research tools

Skills: a graduate
K_U01; use advanced research techniques appropriate for biotechnology
K_U03; critically analyze and select information, especially from electronic sources.
K_U04; plan and carry out research tasks or expert opinions with the help of a supervisor
K_U05; independently apply mathematical and statistical methods to describe phenomena and data analysis.
K_U06; collect empirical data and interpret them.
K_U07; draw conclusions and make judgments based on data from various sources
K_U10; work in a team and manage the work of a small team
K_U11; plan your own professional / scientific career yourself
K_U12; handle emergencies of life and health threat to teams and facilities
K_U13; apply biotechnology techniques enabling the selection and targeted modification of microorganisms and cells of higher organisms.
K_U14 conduct biosynthesis and biotransformation processes, isolation and purification of bioproducts as well as their analytics and diagnostics
K_U15 deal with emergencies of life and health threat to assemblies and facilities

Social competence: the graduate is ready to
K_K01; analyzing physical and chemical phenomena occurring in nature.
K_K02 the use of mathematical and statistical tools when describing phenomena and processes occurring in nature. P7S_KK
K_K03 demonstrating responsibility for the entrusted scope of research, for own and other work. P7S_KO
K_K04 use objective sources of scientific information and use the principles of critical reasoning when resolving practical problems.
K_K05 acting in an entrepreneurial manner, has the ability to lead a team and is aware of the professional role

Assessment criteria

Weekly qualifying tests for laboratory classes on the University-wide COME educational platform.
Final written exam in the form of a test consisting of 50 closed and 5 open questions.

Obtaining 60% of correct answers from the final exam entitles to obtaining a pass grade.

Practical placement

No, internship is not required

Bibliography

I.Homer, M.J., Aguilar-Delfin, I., Telford, S.R. 3rd, Krause, P.J., Persing D.H. (2000) Babesiosis. Clin Microbiol Rev. 13(3): 451-469.
Melrose, W.D., (2002) Lymphatic filariasis: new insights into an old disease. Int J Parasitol. 32(8):947-960.
Moqueda, J., Olvera-Ramírez, A., Aguilar-Tipacamú, G., Cantó, G.J., (2012) Current advances in detection and treatment of babesiosis. Curr. Med. Chem. 19(10): 1504-1518.
Reynolds, L. A., Filbey, K. J., & Maizels, R. M. (2012,). Immunity to the model intestinal helminth parasite Heligmosomoides polygyrus. In Seminars in immunopathology (Vol. 34, No. 6, pp. 829-846). Springer-Verlag.
Valanparambil, R. M., Segura, M., Tam, M., Jardim, A., Geary, T. G., & Stevenson, M. M. (2014). Production and analysis of immunomodulatory excretory-secretory products from the mouse gastrointestinal nematode Heligmosomoides polygyrus bakeri. Nature protocols, 9(12), 2740-2754.
McKAY, D. M. (2010). The immune response to and immunomodulation by Hymenolepis diminuta. Parasitology, 137(03), 385-394.
T V Baszler, D P Knowles, J P Dubey, J M Gay, B A Mathison and T F McElwain Serological diagnosis of bovine neosporosis by antibody-based Neospora caninum monoclonal competitive inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. J. Clin. Microbiol. 1996, 34(6):1423.
Sibele Borsuk,, Renato Andreotti, Fábio Pereira Leivas Leite et al Development of an indirect ELISA-NcSRS2 for detection of Neospora caninum antibodies in cattle Veterinary Parasitology Volume 177, Issues 1–2, 19 April 2011, Pages 33–38.
G.F. RossiD.D. Cabral D.P. Ribeiroa A.C.A.M. Pajuabaa, et al Evaluation of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in sheep from Uberlândia, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, by different serological methods Veterinary Parasitology Volume 175, Issues 3–4, 10 February 2011, Pages 252–259.
Gottstein, B., Pozio, E., & Nöckler, K. (2009). Epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and control of trichinellosis. Clinical microbiology reviews, 22(1), 127-145.
Ilic, N., Gruden-Movsesijan, A., & Sofronic-Milosavljevic, L. (2012). Trichinella spiralis: shaping the immune response. Immunologic research, 52(1-2), 111-119.

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 1400-226MLDP in USOSweb