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 lectures in years I and II. The present lecture is propaedeutical for other biological topics to be teached in next years and Master courses.

Due to the inclusion in this course of wet-laboratory and field ativities, you are invited to previously attend the lab & field safety modules 1, 2 and 3. Check the availability of such modules on course website.

Teaching unit GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY (30 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 (10 hours)

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

Biodiversity, ecology and environmental role of microorganisms.  Microbial food webs in soil. Microbial communities and biofilms. Unculturable microorganisms. Microbial role in environmental adaptation of plant holobionts. Role of the microbiota into the geochemical cycles. Plant-probiotic microorganisms in agriculture and forestry. Biotechnology of micorrhizal symbioses. Biotechnology of nitrogen-fixing symbioses. Composting: definitions, microbial successions, environmental and technological factors. Microbial processes in soil and water 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

• Some chapters, cited during the first lecture, from the book: “Microbiologia Generale e Agraria". (B.Biavati & C. Solini, Editors). CEA, Milan - Italy, 2012. ISBN 978 8840813943. [available at the Library].

• For some topics and for laboratory practice, additional materials would be accessible on the University of Bologna platform "Virtuale" [https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en] only for students enrolled in the presnt course. Such materials should be downloaded or printed for use during the lessons.

Teaching methods

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

Students with Learning Disorders or Disabilities are kindly invited to contact the dedicated Service and/or the professor, with adequate advance notice.

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

The third, not needed for passing the final exam,
provides hazard/security instructions before going to the teaching laboratory, then 10 laboratory experiences of 2 hours, intended to introduce students into laboratory skills for basic microbiology. At the end, students may produce a written report.

Assessment methods

Achieved theoretical 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 and in depollution.

There will be a single final exam, after the end of lecture schedule. It will consists of a colloquium with the teachers, generally structured on three principal questions, and eventual other deeping/clarifying questions. The lenght of oral exam is generally about 25 minutes.

Students should demonstrate to know the theory and to be able to link lecture topics with technical problems of applications. Practical aspects of field- and benchwork will not be considered for exam final note.

Students with Learning Disorders or Disabilities are kindly invited to contact the specific Service and/or the teacher, with adequate advance notice.

Each question is 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 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