91159 - Systems and Synthetic Microbiology

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student has knowledge on the integrative approaches and strategies to study a microorganism as a complex system and to discover and model its properties in the context of synthetic biology, gene regulation, and microbial genome engineering across multiple scales. In particular, the course provides the student with systems and synthetic biology understanding of microorganisms and microbial ecosystems with industrial and environmental interest for biotechnological applications.

Course contents

Introduction to the basic concepts in the field of systems and synthetic microbiology; genome-wide engineering approaches and targeted genome editing methods for synthetic microbiology purposes; the idea of networks and their representation as graphs; the structure, dynamics, and evolution of metabolic networks; the building of biological parts and their function on the microbial systems level; the synthetic biology as a tool to build biological systems; synthetic biology tools for microbial genetic and metabolic engineering (e.g. BioBrick, pSEVA); genetic and metabolic circuits in microbial systems; design, construction and expression of synthetic pathways in microorganisms; synthetic and minimal genomes; systemic disciplines applied to microbial biotechnology (several case studies will be the subject of students analysis)

Readings/Bibliography

Textbook indications are given during the lectures. Scientific papers and Reviews can be obtained on-line. Alternatively, the material will be given to students as printed papers.

Teaching methods

Lectures, group works, student presentations, practical sessions at the computer.

Assessment methods

The final Course examination consists of a poster presentation (5-10 min) and an oral presentation (30 min max), both in power point format, each one regarding research papers on topics about Systems and Synthetic Microbiology. An additional final question will be asked during the oral exam regarding one topic covered during the course.

Teaching tools

Registered students can download power-point presentations, articles and other teaching materials through the Insegnamenti online - Supporto online alla didattica [https://iol.unibo.it]

Office hours

See the website of Martina Cappelletti