82446 - Microbiology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will have the basic knowledge on the structure - function - biosynthesis of the typical components of the bacterial cell , cultivation of bacteria and influence of culture conditions on growth bacterial social behavior of bacteria, biofilms , mechanism of action of antibiotics and the bases of phenotypic and genotypic resistance , mechanism of action of bacterial toxins , bacteria metabolism chemo and chemo -auto - heterotrophic halophilic - extreme anaerobic conditions , energy production by fermentation , anoxygenic and oxygenic photosynthesis , fixing symbiont of molecular nitrogen , characteristics of methanogenic bacteria , the role of bacteria in the degradation of xenobiotics , the use of bacteria to generate transgenic plants , the structure-function - biosynthesis of components of the viral particles , mechanisms of penetration of the virus into the cell , the viral replicative strategies as a function of ' viral nucleic acid . At the end of the workshop , the student has the basic knowledge of the techniques of sterilization and sterility in work , techniques for handling, cultivation , identification and titration of microorganisms (bacteria and viruses) , and safety and waste disposal in a microbiological laboratory . In particular , the student is able to: - prepare media for the cultivation of micro-organisms; - Prepare pure cultures of micro-organisms; - To determine number/type of the microorganisms present in a culture .

Course contents

Structure of the prokaryotic cell with particular regard to the differences between prokaryotic cells ( eubacteria and archaea ) and eukaryotes . Plasma membrane and its functions, cytoplasm , nucleoid , cell wall , outer membrane and periplasmic space , capsule, teichoic acids , cytoplasmic inclusions , external appendages . Flagella. Bacterial taxis and its regulation. The spores . Structure and biosynthesis of macromolecules : peptidoglycan , DNA , RNA, proteins . The growth of microorganisms. Measurement of growth. Growth curve of a bacterial culture . Growth on solid media. Pure cultures . Genetic and environmental factors affecting the growth of microorganisms. Quorum sensing and biofilms . Main bacterial procedures. Culture media, isolation , selective media. Cell staining. Sterilization and methods of sterilization. Chemotherapeutic antibacterial drugs and antibiotics. Mechanism of action: chemotherapeutic sulfonamides , antibiotics that interfere with cell wall synthesis , DNA, RNA , and proteins. Mechanisms of drug-resistance in relation to the mechanism of action of antibiotics. Mechanisms of pathogenicity of the bacteria. Molecular mechanisms of action of the main bacterial exotoxins . The animal viruses . Composition, structure , classification criteria . Methods of study of viruses . The cell cultures. Titration of virus. Stages of the viral replication cycle . Penetration of the virus into the cell replicative viral classes I- VII . Replicative strategies of the different classes of viruses in relation with the organization of the viral genome : - Deossiribovirus genome with single-stranded and double-stranded . Deossiribovirus in nuclear or cytoplasmic replication . RNA virus genome in positive , negative in the genome , to genome ambisenso . Retroviruses . Hepadnaviruses . Defective viruses and helper virus . Differences between replicative cycle , cycle latent and persistent. Metabolism of bacteria chemo- and auto- heterotrophic. Halophiles - extremes habitat and physiology. Energy production by fermentation (actic acid bacteria, enteric -forming spores ) . Anoxygenic and oxygenic photosynthesis . Symbiotic and asymbiotic nitrogen fixation. Characteristics of methanogenic bacteria and methanogenesis . Role of bacteria in the degradation of xenobiotics and in the interaction with metals and non-metals . Use of bacteria to generate transgenic plants. Use of bacteria in biotechnological processes for industrial use ( production of antibiotics, leaching ) .
Laboratory of General Microbiology and Virology
INTRODUCTION : The students will be divided into two class-rooms at the discretion of the teacher. The division will be communicated to students in a timely manner by the faculty-student distribution lists .

The tutorial is divided into five days. The program focuses on:
- Illustration of the rules of safety, personal protective equipment and rules of differential disposal of the waste produced in a laboratory of microbiology and virology.
- Preparation of media for the growth and isolation of bacteria.
- Inoculation of bacterial species on solid , liquid and semi-solid , in different conditions of oxygen availability . Determine the strength of a bacterial culture . Bacterial transformation .
- Gram stain
- Cultivation of a virus ( phage ) for plaque purification , preparation of a stock , titration
- Observation cytopathic effect induced by animal viruses in cell cultures ; detection of the expression of a transgene ; Immunostaining of plaques

Readings/Bibliography

The texts of reference are "Microoganism Biology", edited by G. Deho 'and E. Galli, Ed CEA., or "Brock Biology of Microorganisms", 9 edition, Madigan, Martinko, Parker, Ed CEA.

Teaching methods

he course consists of 9 credits of which 7 CFU of lectures and 2 CFU laboratory. The form of General Microbiology (1) and General Virology (2) are carried out as classroom lectures. The Laboratory module (3) corresponding to 30 hours of practical training in one place. The theory of the day-to-day experiences is explained by the teacher. Each student prepares an individual or group the necessary material. The students are supervised by teachers and tutors during the course of the experience. The results are discussed both individually and in groups.

Assessment methods

The examination at the end of the course aims to assess the achievement of learning objectives (see Knowledge and Skills to be attained). To this end, three tests are carried out in the pipeline for the verification of the preparation relative to the various modules. Inside of the windows of examination set by the Course exam is cumulative (all modules are being examined) and takes place in ways written / oral.

Teaching tools

For modules 1 and 2, the topics of the course are explained to students in the form of power-point presentation that refers to the iconographic material of the recommended books (see Readings / References). For module 3 (Lab) teaching activity is carried out at the laboratories ( Beverara 123, Bologna) fully equipped, and in particular with 50 individual workstations for students, 25 laminar flow hoods, optical microscopes to observe cells and bacteria, a fluorescence microscope, incubators; audiovisual equipment for theoretical lessons. It also provides a detailed and pantry slides of the lectures.

Links to further information

http://www.unibo.it

Office hours

See the website of Davide Zannoni

See the website of Laura Menotti

See the website of Laura Menotti