88101 - Microbial Biotechnologies In Agroforestry

Learning outcomes

From this course the student will acquire knowledge on the microbial adaptation to the natural envíronments, on the methods for the microbial characterization, on the role of microorganisms on the bioremediation of the agro- forestry environmental, on the new frontiera of microbial genetic and will learn the potential applications of GM microorganisms.

Course contents

• Introduction
• Microbial nutrition and nutritional groups
• Metabolic diversity in microorganisms (carbohydrates catabolism, pyruvate fermentation)
• Effects of the environment on growth
• Microbial associations (classification of interactions)
• Microbiology of extreme environments
• Microbial growth in laboratory and in nature (growth kinetics)
• Dynamics of microbial communities
• Preservation of microbial culture
• The soil: an environment for microorganisms
• Microbial ecology of forest soil
• Degradation of plant residues
• Laboratory techniques for environmental microbiota analysis
• Factors affecting the degradation of organic compounds
• Bioremediation strategies
• In-situ treatments of contaminated soils
• Ex-situ treatments of contaminated soils
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Bioremediation
• Metals and Their Biological Role
• Genetics and Biochemistry of Metal Resistance
• Role of microorganisms in bio-absorption of metals
• Biological treatment of wastewater
• Bacterial genetics: principles
• Plasmids, Transfer of plasmids, Properties of plasmids, Resistance plasmids, Virulence plasmids
• Transposable elements
• Organization of a genome: Chromosome Map of E. coli
• Replication Transcription and Translation in microorganisms
• Gene regulation
• Horizontal gene transfer in nature
• Microbial biotechnology and legislative aspects related to GMM application (Genetically Modified Microorganisms)
• Recombinant DNA technology and cloning vectors
• Expression vectors
• Metagenomics
• Application of GMM in the industrial field
• GMM in the food and pharmaceutical industry
• GMM for bioremediation
• Microbial Biotechnology in Agriculture

Readings/Bibliography

Lecture notes: English and Italian version

Additional suggested books are:

• J Willey, L Sherwood, CJ Woolverton (10th edition 2017) Prescott's Microbiology Published by McGraw-Hill Education.
• JK Patra, CN Vishnuprasad, G Das (2018) Microbial Biotechnology: Applications in Agriculture and Environment Springer.

Teaching methods

For the theoretical component, teaching will be delivered through PowerPoint presentations and open discussions. The total number of hours will be divided as follows: 60% lectures and 40% complementary activities:

• lab practicals (DNA extraction. restriction analysis, ..)
• videos,
• seminars on specific topics (new energy sources, DNA databases, NGS platforms, etc.)
• short sessions on in-silico analysis

The purpose of the complementary activities is to bridge the theoretical content of the course with its practical applications.

Given the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, attendance in this learning activity requires all students to complete Modules 1 and 2 in e-learning mode, as well as to attend Module 3, which provides specific training on health and safety in study environments. Information on the dates and attendance procedures for Module 3 is available in the dedicated section of the degree programme’s website.

Assessment methods

The final exam will be oral (approximately 30 minutes), three questions, one of which will be on the genetics part. Students who wish to take the exam in Italian are admitted. The assessment will evaluate not only the knowledge of the topics covered in the course programme, but also the ability to apply the knowledge acquired, to make logical and deductive connections between topics, and to use correct language and appropriate technical terminology.

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

A PC, projector, and blackboard are available for lessons. For complementary activities, the teaching laboratories and the microbiology laboratories will be used.

Office hours

See the website of Loredana Baffoni