72596 - Microbial Biotechnologies in Agroforestry

Learning outcomes

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

Course contents

Teaching unit 1: Growth and adaptation of microorganisms in natural environment.(20 hours of which 8 for complementary activities)

Nutritional requirements. Microbial diversity. Relationships between environmental factors and growth.

Features of natural environments : the microhabitat. Microbial growth in laboratory and in natural environment. Dynamics of microbial communities. Effect of environmental changes and nutrient availability on the microbial growth. Microbial adaptation. Microbial ecology of forestry soils. Methods available for the microbial characterization of the environmental population.

Knowledge acquired on teaching unit 1: the student knows the principles of formation of the microbial communities in natural environments. He learns the available microbial techniques for the study of the microorganisms present in natural environments.

Teaching unit 2: Bioremediation of the agro- forestry environment (10 hours of which 4 for complementary activities).

Decomposition of natural and synthetic compounds. Different level of biodegradability. Factors influencing the decomposition of organic compounds. Role of biotechnologies in the decomposition of xenobiotic compounds. Biological treatments of wastewater. Metals with a biological role. Biochemistry and genetic connected to heavy metals. Biosorption of metals.

Knowledge acquired on teaching unit 2: the student learns the limits and the benefits of the use of biotechnologies for environmental bioremediation.

Teaching unit 3: Genetic aspect of microbial biotechnology (30 hours of which 12 for complementary activities).

Fundamentals of bacterial genetic and molecular biology. DNA replication. Exchange of DNA among prokaryotes and generation of mutations. Transcription and transduction. Regulation of gene expression. Genetically modified (GM) microorganisms. Legal aspects connected to the use of GM microorganisms. Recombinant DNA technology. Vectors for gene clonig and expression. The metagenomics. Production of enzymes and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) by GM microorganisms. Applications of GM microorganisms in pharmaceutical and food industries. GM microorganisms for bioremediation. GM microorganisms for biosensors and microbial fuel cells (MFC). Microbial biotechnology in agriculture.

Knowledge acquired on teaching unit 3: the student enhances the knowledge of microbial genetic and learns the potential applications of GM microorganisms.

Readings/Bibliography

In addition to the lecture notes available on the web site of Bologna University the text books suggested are:

B. Biavati, C. Sorlini. Microbiologia agroambientale, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano, 2008.

P. Barbieri, G.Bestetti, E.Galli, D.Zannoni. Microbiologia Ambientale ed elementi di ecologia microbica. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano, 2008.

Teaching methods

The course is divided in 3 teaching units; lectures 60% and complementary activities 40% (educational visits, laboratory experiences ,videos, seminars, visit of the web sites of the industries connected to the topics of the course etc.) are provided. The aim of the complementary activities is to connect the theoretical part of the course with the application aspects.

Assessment methods

The final exam will be oral. It will last for about 30min.

Students wishing to take the examination in English are allowed.

Teaching tools

For the lectures PC, projector and blackboard are available

Office hours

See the website of Bruno Biavati