General features of main microbial groups (eubacteria, archaea, fungi, microalgae). Structure of the prokaryotic cell. Nutrition and bioenergetics of microorganisms. Growth kinetics. Influence on microbial growth of environmental factors. Microorganisms and biogeochemical cycles. Role of microorganisms in nitrogen and carbon cycles. Microorganisms, humus and soil fertility. Principles of Industrial Microbiology.
Brock - Biologia dei Microrganismi (14a Edizione) - Madigan et al. (2016). Pearson
Prescott- Microbiologia - Vol 1 e 2- McGraw-Hill (2009)
Learning Objectives
Knowledge acquired: lectures and practical sessions aimed at teaching students the fundamentals of microbiology necessary to understand the role of micro-organisms in nature, and for their application in agro-industry and biotechnology
Competence acquired (at the end of the course):
Principal methods to identify, isolate, cultivate and apply micro-organisms in agro-industry and biotechnology.
Skills acquired (at the end of the course): ability to design strategies to apply micro-organisms in agro-industry and biotechnology
Prerequisites
Students are expected to be familiar with the principles and terminology of organic chemistry, biochemistry and biology.
Courses required: Organic chemistry
Courses recommended: Biochemistry, Soil chemistry, Plant biology.
Oral examination on the subjects of lectures and laboratory aiming at verifying specific knowledge and ability to elaborate the topics of the course.
Course program
Lectures
General Microbiology -
The history and scope of Microbiology. The discovery of microorganisms. Prokaryotic cell structure. The bacterial cell membrane: structure and function. The bacterial cell wall. The endospore. Influence on microbial growth of environmental factors (temperature, pH, water availability, oxygen). Microbial growth kinetics. Microbial nutrition and bioenergetics. Energy and carbon sources. Reducing power. Fermentation. Aerobic and anaerobic respiration. Chemotrophy. Litotrophy. Phototrophy. Oxygenic and anoxygenic photosynthesis. General features of main microbial groups (eubacteria, archea, fungi). Bacterial taxonomy.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology -
Biogeochemical cycling and microbial ecology. Role of microorganisms in the nitrogen and carbon cycles. Nitrogen fixation. Ammonification. Nitrification and denitrification. Microorganisms, humus and soil fertility. Plant-microorganims interactions. Root nodule N2-fixing bacteria. Mycorrhizae. The rhizosphere. Applied and industrial microbiology. Micoorganisms and global change. Biofuels and novel foods from microbes.
Laboratory
Observation of microorganisms at the optical microscope. Enrichment and isolation of main microbial groups. Sterilization. Growth measurement. Cultivation of phototrophic and chemotrophic microrganisms. Observation and isolation of rizobia.