MICROBIOLOGY-MOD.1

This course is designed to provide basic principles of microbiology to non-biologist students. Although relatively simple and primitive, microorganisms are considered the most successful life form. They are practically everywhere and are indispensable for life on Earth. Microorganisms deeply affect the world in which we live: they are essential for maintaining the balance of every ecosystem, they live in symbiosis with plants, humans and animals, they are essential for the fermentation of food, they play an important role in various industrial applications, they purify the waters and participate in environmental bioremediation. Some of them are pathogens and dangerous for plants, animals and humans. For all these reasons it becomes important to study them and to know their cellular, molecular and metabolic mechanisms.

Students will acquire:
-Fundamental concepts of microbiology and biological significance of microorganisms
-In-depth knowledge of structural and functional organization of prokaryotic cells and viruses
-Understanding of metabolic and molecular mechanisms of microorganisms
-Principles of microbial biotechnologies and nanotechnologies

After the course, students will be able to:
-Analyze the structure and functions of prokaryotic cells and viruses
-Identify microbial metabolisms and their molecular regulation
-Interpret microorganisms' interactions with the environment and other organisms
-Apply bacterial isolation, culture, and identification techniques
-Perform microscopic and macroscopic preparations
-Evaluate methods of microbial growth control

Students will develop the ability to:
-Critically evaluate the role of microorganisms in ecosystems
-Interpret potential biological benefits and risks of microorganisms
-Develop microbiological research and analysis strategies
-Understand ethical implications of biotechnological applications

Students will be able to:
-Correctly use the technical-scientific language of microbiology
-Present and communicate microbiological concepts clearly and professionally
-Document experimental procedures and results
-Critically discuss microbiology topics

No prerequisites are required for this course, but it is recommended that students have a basic understanding of organic chemistry and biochemistry

1. INTRODUCTION TO MICROBIOLOGY. Microorganism definition; importance of studying microorganisms; microorganisms and biosphere; impact of microorganisms on society and their application; microbiology history: Pasteur and Koch discoveries.

2. MICROBIAL CELL BIOLOGY.
to. Cell structure: prokaryotes vs eukaryotes; bacterial morphology; the cytoplasmic membrane: structure and functions; the cell wall: Gram + and Gram- structure; cell wall synthesis and cell division
b. Surface cell structures and cell inclusions: capsules and mucous layers, fimbre and pili. Cellular inclusions; gas vesicles, endospores: structure and sporulation cycle.
c. Microbial locomotion: flagella and motility; motility due to sliding; microbial rates: chemotaxis, phototaxis

3. MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND MICROBIAL GENETICS. Microbial DNA, bacterial replication, transcription and translation; mutations; gene transfer in bacteria; gene recombination; transformation; transduction; conjugation; transposons; CRISPR

4. MICROBIAL METABOLISM. Macro and micro nutrients; cellular transport; energy classification of microorganisms; principles of bioenergetics;
Catabolism: Glycolysis, citric acid and glyoxylate cycles; principles of fermentation; principles of respiration: electron carriers and metabolic varieties
Anabolism: autotrophy and nitrogen fixation; polysaccharide biosynthesis and gluoconeogenesis; amino acids-nucleotides, lipids

5. METABOLIC DIVERSITY PRINCIPLES. Chemotrophic metabolism; Calvin cycle and other CO2 fixation pathways; phototrophy; nitrogen fixation; Hydrogen oxidation; iron and sulfur oxidation; nitrification; nitrate reduction and denitrification; sulfur reduction; 1 carbon atom metabolism; acetogenesis and methanogenesis, fermentations

6. MICROBIAL GROWTH. Nutrients; classical microbiology: cultivation techniques and microbial count; binary cleavage and microbial growth cycle; continuous crops; growth in biofilm; quorum sensing; environmental effects on microbial growth: temperatures, pH, osmotic pressure and oxygen; microbial growth control: heat, chemical and physical agents; antibiotic resistance

7. PRINCIPLES OF VIROLOGY. The nature of viruses; structure of the virion; methods for culturing and quantifying viruses; viral replication cycle overview; bacteriophages; eukaryotic viruses; viral classification: DNA virus, RNA virus.

Madigan M.T., Bender K.S., Buckley D.A., Sattley W.M, Stahl D.A. Brock, Biology of Microorganisms, 16th Edition. ISBN-13: 9781292404790.

The microbiology exam is an oral exam

To pass the exam, the student should be able to answer open questions that include all the topics covered during the microbiology course with good technical and scientific language. Questions for each student will range from the structure of microbial cells, to the molecular biology of microorganisms and the different types of metabolisms carried out by microorganisms. The exam score will be the average of at least three open questions regarding the different topics addressed during the course.

A fully successful exam (27-30/30) will be deemed when a solid and broad mastery of the concepts discussed during the classes is demonstrated. An average grade (22-26/30) will be the result of fairly complete understanding of individual themes but with limited interconnection among subjects. A pass level (18-21/30) will correspond to a minimum knowledge of individual notions.

The teaching will be organized in lectures that will cover different aspects of microbiology. The lectures will be supported by laboratory sessions that will help illustrate the practical concepts. The lessons will be interactive, and students will be encouraged to discuss their observations and points of view on the theoretical and practical concepts of the course. The laboratory exercises will consist of real experiments and will provide students with the opportunity to gain practical experience on the concepts illustrated during the lectures.

Italian

oral

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development