Microbiology

A.Y. 2023/2024
6
Max ECTS
56
Overall hours
SSD
AGR/16
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide fundamental knowledge about cytology and physiology of microorganisms, with emphasis to their role in nature and their use in agricultural biotechnology, in relation to soil fertility, biogeochemical cycles, and microbial interactions with plants and animals. Laboratory activity will allow the students to practice the basic techniques to grow and characterize soil microorganisms.
Expected learning outcomes
Basic knowledge about general and ecological microbiology, in order to understand the role of microbial physiological groups associated with agricultural ecosystem. Knowledge of basic microbiological techniques.
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Introduction to the course Programme and objectives. The lectures are accompanied by laboratory activities. General information on laboratory activities. Exam assessment. Cell morphology, cytology and microbiological techniques. Evolutionary relationships among prokaryotes (Bacteria and Archea) and with Eukarya. Bacterial morphology. Morphology, physiology, ecology and taxonomy of Fungi. Prokaryotic cell structure: wall, surface structures, cytoplasmatic membrane, ribosome, inclusions, genome. Endospore; structure and formation. Essentials of microscopy techniques and instrumentation. Biofilms. Microbial nutrition and growth. Nutritional requirements of microorganisms and metabolic options to obtain energy. Lab culture of microorganisms. Aerobic, facultative, microaerophilic, strictly anaerobic bacteria. Oxygen tolerance. Microbial growth: definition, measurements, continuous culture; environmental conditions and microbial growth (nutrients, pH, temperature, oxygen etc.). Physical and chemical antimicrobial control. Microbial genetics. Bacterial genetic elements: chromosome, plasmides and transposons. Mutation: screening and selection of mutants. Horizontal gene transfer among bacteria: transformation, conjugation, transduction. Bacteriophage: lytic and lysogenic pathways. Viroids and prions. Microbial metabolisms. Aerobic respiration of organic compounds; oxygenases and degradation of organic compounds. Applications: acetic acid production, composting and aerobic treatment of polluted soils. Chemiolitotrophy. Anaerobic respiration. Applications: wastewater treatment, desulfurication of cultural heritage and methane production. Main fermentations and related fermenting groups. Oxygenic and anoxygenic photosynthesis and photosynthetic bacteria. Nitrogen fixation and its application. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Microbial ecology. Biogeochemical cycles and related microorganisms. Associations among microorganisms, with plants (mycorrhizae, actinorhizae and rhizobes), and with animals (rumen, intestinal tract). Criteria and methods in bacterial taxonomy. Laboratory course: basic aseptic techniques; streak-plate technique, spread and pour plating, plate counts, isolation to obtain pure cultures; optical observations of wet mount preparations. DNA extraction from pure cultures and gel electrophoresis.
Prerequisites for admission
Being familiar with cells and chemical reactions, in particular oxidation-reduction reactions.
Teaching methods
The teaching is given as class lectures and laboratory classes.
Teaching Resources
Teaching materials on the Ariel-moodle website. Supplementary readings: M. T. Madigan, K. S. Bender, D. H. Buckley, W. M. Sattley, D. A. Stahl, Brock Biology of Microorganisms, Global Edition Paperback - 26 Mar 2018
Assessment methods and Criteria
WRITTEN EXAMINATION: multiple choice questions on the entire program (62 questions, 50 minutes).
Further examination mode reserved exclusively to students attending the lab in person: Interim written examination on the first part of the programme to be held during the mid-semester break (duration 25 minutes, 31 multiple choice questions), followed by a written examination on the second part of the programme to be performed by February 2024 (duration 25 minutes, 31 multiple choice questions).
AGR/16 - AGRICULTURAL MICROBIOLOGY - University credits: 6
Laboratories: 16 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Shifts:
Turno 1
Professor: Catto' Cristina
Turno 2
Professor: Catto' Cristina
Turno 3
Professor: Villa Federica
Turno 4
Professor: Villa Federica
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Mondays 14:00-15:00 (by email appointment)
Room 3019, 3rd floor, Via Mangiagalli 25
Reception:
by appointment
via mangiaglli 25, 3° piano, 3017