INP — MedRi

Mechanism of Action of Probiotic Bacteria

Zavod za mikrobiologiju i parazitologiju

Classes held in English

Lecturers

prof. dr. sc. Gobin Ivana, dipl. sanit. ing. coordinator

doc. dr. sc. Krištofić Ines, dr. med.

dr. sc. Repac Antić Davorka, dr. med.

Probiotic microorganism are live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host. In our intestines there are a number of bacteria that are important for the maturation of immune status and normal development and function of the intestine. Probiotic concept involves oral administration of live beneficial microorganisms (probiotics), while prebiotic concept introduces selective sources of carbohydrate useful for probiotic bacteria in the digestive system. Synbiotic concept is the combined use of probiotic and prebiotic concept to achieve increased beneficial effect on health. If we want to use microorganism for in probiotic purposes, it must meet strict probiotic election strategy, and the three main aspects of the strategy are: general, technological and functional. The aim of the course is to teach students the mechanisms of probiotic prebiotics and to familiarize themselves with the strategy of selecting probiotic microorganisms and applying it in clinical practice.

Guarino A. et all.Probiotic Bacteria and Their Effect on Human Health and Well-Being. Karger. 2013.
Pandey KR, Naik SR, Vakil BV. Probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics- a review. Journal of Food Science and Technology. 2015;52(12):7577-7587. doi:10.1007/s13197-015-1921-1.
Kechagia M, Basoulis D, Konstantopoulou S, et al. Health Benefits of Probiotics: A Review. ISRN Nutrition. 2013;2013:481651. doi:10.5402/2013/481651.

Prepared copies of the most recent scientific articles of each of the teaching units will be available to students. Websites are an important source of information related to individual teaching topic.

Students are expected to attend classes regularly, participate actively and to ask questions. Students are advised to prepare for each teaching units, reading and reviewing prepared teaching materials.

During the course each student/group of students will give a presentation of the results, in the form of 15-20 minute oral presentation, followed by 10-15 minutes of discussion. Successfully completed presentation of results, and active participation in the discussions will be part of the final grade in addition to the written exam.

The study program will be monitored and evaluated according to the prescribed regulations of the School of Medicine, University of Rijeka and the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports. Students will evaluate their teachers and their classes in anonymous survey.

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This type of class is described in the syllabus, please contact the course coordinator for more details

Course

Mechanism of Action of Probiotic Bacteria

Study programs

Year of study

ISVU ID

URL

ECTS

1.5

Lecturers

Details 2025/2026

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