27618 - General And Enviromental Microbiology

Learning outcomes

After completing the lecture, the student holds basic prokariotic and eukariotic microbes' structure, physiology, biochemistry and genetics. Students will be able to evaluate microbial roles in Nature and utilize analitical and interpretation knowledge to understand microbial interactions within the agri-forestry environment.

Course contents

Essential requirements: students should hold propaedeutical knowledge about chemistry, pedology and plant biology, received during previous year lectures. The present lecture is propaedeutical for other biological topics to be teached in next years and Master courses.

Teaching unit GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY (20 hours)

[Expected results: the student will know prokariotic and eukariotic microbes' structure, metabolism, regulation; she/he will be able to exchange microbiological data in scientific and technical ways adapted to the sector stackeholders]

Evolution and structure of microbial cells. Hystory, definitions and glossary of microbiology.

Microbial role in terrestrial life evolution. Prokariotic microbes. archaea and bacteria. Eukariotic microbes: micro-algae, fungi, protozoa.

Nutrition and metabolism of microbial cells. Energetic processes: respiration, fermentation, photosyntheses. Biosynthetici processes: growth and environmental adaptation. Metabolism regulation: environmental interactions, regulation of enzimes' activity and synthesis. Microbial growth: speed, curves, limits. Environmental factors which influence microbial growth. Physiological-nutritional groups.

Genetics and taxonomy of microorganisms. Pure cultures and microbial culture collections. Recombination and mutations. Plasmids and phages. Transformation, conjugation, transduction. Eukariotic microbes genetics. Synthetic microorganisms. Taxonomic criteria and phylogenetical taxonomy: Archaea, Bacteria, Eucarya.

Teaching unit ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY (20 hours)

[Expected results: the student will be able to select among actual microbial applications in agriculture, forestry, Nature conservation and environmental bioremediation]

Environmental role of microorganisms. Microbial ecology of air, freshwater, marine, soil, extreme and anthropic environments. Microbial communities and biofilms. Unculturable microorganisms. Microbial role in environmental adaptation of animal and plant holobionts. Microbial transformations of macroelements, microelements and heavy metals in biosphere geochemical cycles. Interactions with otrer organisms.

Plant-probiotic microorganisms in agriculture and forestry. Rhizosphere and phyllosphere. Pioneer and invasive plants have multi-partite symbioses. Biotechnology of micorrhizal symbioses. Biotechnology of nitrogen-fixing symbioses.

Microbial processes in solid and liquid wastes treatment. Composting: definitions, microbial successions, environmental and technological factors. Wastewaters treatment: oxidation by activated sludges, anaerobic digestion, transformation by photosynthetic microorganisms.

Microbial processes in soil and water bioremediation. Xenobiotics degradation. Oil derivates degradation. Heavy metals bioremediation. Microbial role in phytoremediation.

Teaching unit MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY (20 hours)

[Expected results: the student will know how to select basic microbiological laboratory techniques, understand and explain analytical results to related stackehorders]

Chemical, biological hazards and security in the modern microbiology laboratory. Observation techniques for microorganisms. Diffusion-control techniques for microorganisms. Evidencing, growing and storing techniques for microorganisms. Counting techniques for microorganisms. Characterizing and identificative techniques for microorganisms.

Readings/Bibliography

Microbiologia Generale e Agraria. 2012. A cura di Biavati B., Sorlini C. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.

Microbiologia Agroambientale. 2005. A cura di Biavati B., Sorlini C. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.

(both available at the Agriculture Central Library)

Teaching methods

This lecture is given at the Bologna site, by lectures and laboratory demonstations and experiments performed by the teacher, eventually integrated by specialists seminars and technical visits.

The lecture is composed by three complementary units: the first two, on theory, are given by powerpoint presentations including examples and scientific logics, with the aim to stimolating student's critical learning.

The third, practical, provides hazard/security instructions before going to laboratory, then 5 laboratory experiences of 4 hours, intended to introduce students into laboratory skills for basic microbiology. At the end, students will produce a written report.

Assessment methods

Achieved theoretical and practical learning is assessed on teaching objectives, such as prokariotic and eukariotic microbes' structure, metabolism, regulation, evolution; microbial role in diverse habitats, especially the agri-forestal environment; microbial applications in agri-forestal productions amnd in depollution; basic microbiological bench techniques and their results' interpretation.

There will be a single final exam, at the end of lecture timing. It will consists of an colloquium with the teacher, generally structured on three principal questions (two about theory, one about laboratory), and eventual other deeping/clarifying questions. The lenght of oral exam is generally about 15 minutes.

Students should demonstrate to know the theory and to be able to link lecture topics with technical problems of laboratory instruments.

On students request, learning assessment can be a written exam which length is about one hour, generally composed of three principal questions (two about theory, one about laboratory).

For both types of exam, each questions evaluated a maximum of 30 points. Final note will be calculated by the mean of the three principal or written questions.

On students request, learning assessment can be performed, for both types of exam, in English or French languages.

Teaching tools

Internet-connected PC, video projector, overhead projector, slide projector, white board.

Teaching laboratory instruments, teaching greenhouse.

Links to further information

http://www.unibo.it/docenti/marco.bosco

Office hours

See the website of Marco Bosco