APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY

The course is an integral part of the Master's Degree Program (LM) "Environmental Control and Restoration" in Environmental Sciences. The course allows the students to acquire the knowledge of the techniques for studying natural microbial communities and their use for the improvement and rehabilitation of environmental conditions. The course aims to provide theoretical / practical bases allowing to: 1) study microorganisms in their environment through classical and omics techniques; 2) to recognize and understand the genetic, physiological and metabolic processes underlying the ability of microbial adaptation in extreme environments, and the characteristics at the base of the biotechnological value of certain microbial species; 3) understand the potential of microbial biotechnology to reduce contamination from metals and xenobiotics in environmental matrices, trigger the rehabilitation or restoration of degraded soils, and increase in their productivity.

Knowledge and understanding:

1) the acquisition of theoretical bases to study the role of microbial communities; 2) acquisition of the theoretical bases to evalue the potential of some microbial groups for biotechnological applications aimed at improving environmental conditions; 3) acquisition of the theoretical bases to monitor microbial communities by classical or molecular methodologies; 4) acquire the capability to interpret experimental data.

Application of the pronciples and evaluation capability:

1) Acquisition of an autonomous capability to evalue environmental problems and elaborate microbial-based technology solutions; 2) Acquisition of the capability to chose the most pertinent methods in community analysis, strain selection, and setting-up of microbial-based biotechnological applications to solve environmental problems; 3) acquisition of the capability of an autonomous evaluation of the cost/benefit of microbial-based biotechnological applications.
Communication capability

1) Acquire the capability to communicate concepts and ideas using a scientifically correct language, and utilizing correct scientific terms; 2) Promote constructive discussions with the peers and the tutor

Learning ability

1) Acquire the capability to take notes during classes, focusing on the key concepts and promote their sharing between peers; 2) acquire the ability to critically consult textbooks and scientific articles dealing with the subject of the course.

To follow the course, a good knowledge of the basic concepts related to General Microbiology, as well as to Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry is required. A small review of general microbiology concepts (however not sufficient to fill significant previous gaps) is scheduled during the first two / three lessons.

Basic concepts of general microbiology: prokaryotic cell, structure and functions. Biological molecules (structures and function). Bacterial metabolism (anabolism, catabolism, heterotrophy, phototrophy, processes for the production of ATP); concepts of genotype, phenotype, species and strain. Microbial biofilms: pro and cons. Study of microbial diversity: Classical techniques (isolation, cultivation, identification) and molecular techniques based, or not based on DNA (FISH, ARDRA, ARISA, DGGE/TGGE, T-RFLP, RAPD, RT-PCR, DNA microarray). Bioinformatics concepts. Microbial adaptation in stressful environments: the importance of genes, mutations and their role in evolution; gene transfer. Role of prokaryotes in biogeochemical cycles (nitrogen, carbon, phosphorus, sulfur); the nitrogenase; the formation of root nodules in plants. Role of microorganisms in important degradation cycles (lignocellulose, pectin, agar and chitin, hydrocarbons and cyclohexanes, polychlorobiphenyls, naphthalene and benzopyranes); methanogenesis. Microbiology applied to urban waste management: the composting process. Microbiology applied to soil decontamination: biosensors, active remediation and passive remediation, biostimulation and bioaugmentation. Microbiology applied to heavy metal decontamination: the concept of bioaccumulation, biosorption and bio-oxidation. Microbiology applied to the improvement of the chemical-physical conditions of degraded soils and to the promotion of fertility. Inoculation of microorganisms for soil stabilization against erosion, the role of biological crusts; the Plant-growth promoting rizobacteria for the promotion of crop cultivation. Microbiology applied to green energy: bio-hydrogen production.

The oral test consists of a series of questions regarding the parts of the program reported in the "Contents" section. The exam is aimed at ascertaining both the understanding of the topics covered, particularly the concepts, and the student's ability to present them in a formal manner, using the correct terminology. The oral exam will last about 30 minutes.

Teaching is organized in lectures. In the University "moodle" platform, students will find teaching material (material screened in the classroom, summaries).

Italian

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