Microbial Agrobiotechnology
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide to the students the principles and tools to characterize the microbial diversity and to elucidate the biological mechanisms and the applicable potential of microbial communities for the agricultural production and plant protection against adversities, in the framework to optimize the Microbial Resource Management. The practical lessons in laboratory will allow the students to strengthen the comprehension of the topics considered during lessons.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student has to know the metabolic, physiological and ecological mechanisms that modulate the microbial communities and their biotechnological application for the agricultural production and plant protection.
Lesson period: Second semester
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course is divided into five parts:
i) Microbial molecular ecology. The 16S rRNA gene as a molecular marker for the analysis of a microbial population. Culturability and unculturability. Analysis of a microbial population: cultivation-independent methods. Molecular markers and typing of microbial strains.
ii) Microorganisms, fertility and plant-microorganism interactions. Soil and rhizosphere. Plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPR). Direct and indirect mechanisms of plant growth promotion. Nitrogen fixation and nodule formation. Mycorrhizal and actinorhizal associations.
iii) Microbial control of bacterial and fungal pathogens. Mycoparasitism: Trichoderma.
iv) Insect control. Bacillus thuringiensis. Cry toxins and Vip. Other virulence factors. Sporulation and expression of Cry toxins. Engineered B. thuringiensis. Insect symbionts and symbiotic control. Nematodes and their use to control insects.
v) Practice exercises in laboratory. The laboratory exercises involve the characterization of plant growth promoting properties of isolates obtained from plant roots and the study of root colonization using bacteria labelled with fluorescent proteins.
i) Microbial molecular ecology. The 16S rRNA gene as a molecular marker for the analysis of a microbial population. Culturability and unculturability. Analysis of a microbial population: cultivation-independent methods. Molecular markers and typing of microbial strains.
ii) Microorganisms, fertility and plant-microorganism interactions. Soil and rhizosphere. Plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPR). Direct and indirect mechanisms of plant growth promotion. Nitrogen fixation and nodule formation. Mycorrhizal and actinorhizal associations.
iii) Microbial control of bacterial and fungal pathogens. Mycoparasitism: Trichoderma.
iv) Insect control. Bacillus thuringiensis. Cry toxins and Vip. Other virulence factors. Sporulation and expression of Cry toxins. Engineered B. thuringiensis. Insect symbionts and symbiotic control. Nematodes and their use to control insects.
v) Practice exercises in laboratory. The laboratory exercises involve the characterization of plant growth promoting properties of isolates obtained from plant roots and the study of root colonization using bacteria labelled with fluorescent proteins.
Prerequisites for admission
Suggested exams: Biochemistry; Molecular biology
Preparatory exam: General microbiology
Preparatory exam: General microbiology
Teaching methods
5 CFU lessons
1 CFU laboratory lessons
1 CFU laboratory lessons
Teaching Resources
- Book: "Microbiologia agroambientale" A cura di Biavati & Sorlini 2008 Ed. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.
- Lecture notes
- Scientific publications
- Lecture notes
- Scientific publications
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final examination is written and aims to verify the knowledge acquired by the student. The student is required to answer to three open questions (for each answer is foreseen a maximum score of 10) in a maximum time of 2 h. Questions refer to the topics presented during lessons. Examples of the questions will be provided during the lessons.
AGR/16 - AGRICULTURAL MICROBIOLOGY - University credits: 6
Single bench laboratory practical: 16 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Crotti Elena Sara
Shifts:
-
Professor:
Crotti Elena SaraProfessor(s)
Reception:
every day by appointment
DeFENS, via Mangiagalli 25, Milano - room 3023