Academic Offerings: Postgraduate
Residency Programs

Medical Microbiology and Virilogy
School of Medicine

Despite the continuous development of anti-infective drugs and new vaccines, humans continue to struggle with old and new microbial pathogens. The dynamics of the host-parasite relationship are changing continuously due to migration, commerce, emerging diseases, increasing population age, and the increased severity of treated diseases.

The Medical Microbiology and Virology Residency Program is intended for medically-oriented individuals who wish to dedicate themselves to the laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases. Five major areas are taken into consideration: bacteriology, virology, mycology, parasitology, and prion diseases. Emphasis is placed on etiology and pathogenesis. Training in traditional diagnostics is provided in association with the Laboratory of Medical Microbiology of the Ospedale di Circolo in Varese.

Italian and foreign Institutions contribute to the program with both practical and theoretical courses (University of Pavia; JRC, Ispra; Microbiology Laboratory of Ticino, CH; Laboratory of Biomedicine, Bellinzona, CH; University of Tokyo; National Institutes of Health, MD; University of Durham, NC; St. Jude Childrens Hospital, Memphis, TN). During their five year stay, students are encouraged to take part to research programs (microbial epidemiology, anti-infectives, vaccines, genomics, immunology of infection) and to publish the results of their studies.

Each year, one or two student positions are available for full time training. Students from Italy and other European countries are welcome. Medically-qualified individuals may apply for a fellowship financed by the Italian Ministry of Health. Proficiency in English, computer skills, and capability of dealing with clinical colleagues are required.

Director: Professor Antonio Toniolo