82347 - Applied Microbiology and Molecular Virology

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student will have knowledge of certain areas of applied microbiology, in particular on the microorganisms involved in the degradation of pollutants with specific attention to their molecular characteristics and potential use in the field of biotechnology, their cultivation and recognition. The student also has the basics of virus-host interactions and viral strategies to block the host response; and oncolytic viral vectors; antiviral drugs; from emerging virus infections and socio-economic importance.

Course contents

Introduction

Introduction to the program of the course. Organization of the lessons and modality of the final test.

Microbial degradation of xenobiotic compounds

Microbial degradation of linear hydrocarbons. Degradation of aromatic compounds. Microbial dehalogenation of haloaromatic compouns. Genetic regulation of the catabolic pathways of organic toxic compounds. Evolution of the catabolic pathway.

Microbial production of novel high value organic compounds
Agricultural applications of microbes. Microbial production of toxins for biological control. Microbial biotechnology for antibiotics production.

Biotrasformation of inorganic compounds and their potential use in nano-technology.

Interaction of bacterial cells with inorganic compounds. Redox mechanisms of inorganic compounds in order to obtain energy. Molecular characterization of nanowires (several examples).

 

Bacterial cells for the production of biogas and electric power.
Interactions between bacterial cells and polarise surfaces (anode/cathode) for the production of electric power (MFC) or high commercial value chemicals.

Laboratory

Students will get confident with:

1. several microbial methodologies to isolate and characterize microorganisms obtained from different environmental samples.
2. Molecular methods to characterize microbial communities in order to discover potential functional genes suitable for biotechnological applications.

Readings/Bibliography

No specific text-books are required. The material used can be obtained on-line in the form of scientific reviews and/or specific publications in ISI journals. Alternatively, the material will be given to students as printed papers or it will be made available

Teaching methods

Taught class on the main topics of the program. The practical activities will be performed in labs with couple bench working-positions.

Assessment methods

Presentation and discussion of a review and/or publication chosen by the student concerning one of the topics of the program. The final laboratory course examination consists of a written test with multiple choice answers.

Teaching tools

Learning material will be supplied in electronic format.

Links to further information

http://www.unibo.it

Office hours

See the website of Davide Zannoni

See the website of Stefano Fedi

See the website of Laura Menotti

See the website of Renato Brandimarti

See the website of Renato Brandimarti