Teaching - Università degli Studi della Tuscia

Microbiologia e principi di microbiologia industriale (objectives)

A) OBJECTIVES
To provide students with basic knowledge of the world of microorganisms (prokaryotes, in particular) such as structure and function (cytology and physiology) and genetics of the procariate cell, development and consequent growth of populations. In addition, the student will have to gain a general view of the impact of microorganisms in nature (biogeochemical cycles, for example) and their potential applications at industrial and environmental level. There will also be some basic knowledge of virology. It is also the purpose of the course to make students feel confident with some basic techniques of the Microbiology Lab.

B) EXPECTED LEARNING RESULTS
1) Knowledge and understanding
Teaching will help to gain knowledge and ability to understand and describe basic biological structures and processes in microbiology. It also aims to acquire theoretical and experimental knowledge of microbiology in terms of cellular, morphological, biochemical, physiological and genetic aspects. All this information will allow the student to understand basic elements of both microbiology and those interdisciplinary.
2) Applying knowledge and understanding
The student will be able to translate practical theoretical knowledge and arguing issues in the field of general microbiology and above all industrial and environmental. Through lab activities, students will acquire the ability to apply theoretical knowledge on a practical basis by implementing basic techniques typical of the microbiology laboratory.
3) Making judgments
The student will have the ability to interpret autonomously both basic and applied knowledge of microbiology. This ability will be captured, in particular, thanks to the frequency of practical activities and classroom and laboratory exercises.
4) Communication skills
The student who attends the teaching will be able to present, critically, the knowledge related to the general and applied microbiology, with the help of appropriate audiovisual techniques. This ability will also be achieved through the extensive use of power point presentations in the classroom and the dialogue and exchange of views between the students and the teacher both during the front lessons and during the lab activities.
5) Learning skills
Students will understand and acquire methods of investigation and work in the microbiological field. They will therefore be able to deepen their knowledge and skills independently. This skill will be developed through the active involvement of students through oral class discussions on specific subjects of teaching and laboratory activities

Code

15607

Language

ITA

Type of certificate

Profit certificate

Credits

Scientific Disciplinary Sector Code

BIO/19

Contact Hours

Laboratory Hours

Type of Activity

Basic compulsory activities

Teacher	PETRUCCIOLI Maurizio (syllabus) The course will take place according to the following breakdown: 1. History of Microbiology (notes): the discovery of the world of micro-organisms and the controversy over spontaneous generation; microorganisms as agents of disease and their role in the transformation of organic matter. 2. Technical basis of microbiological laboratory: the microscope, notes of optical physics; fresh and colorful slides; electron microscopy (transmission and scanning); pure culture and its achievement; general principles of microbial nutrition; preparation culture media, theory and practice of sterilization; controls sterility. 3. Cytology of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell: general introduction; structure and ultrastructure of the bacterial cell; structure and function of the membrane; transport systems across membrane; cell wall and its chemical composition and characteristics; the wall of Gram + and Gram -; cell wall of archaebacteria and eukaryotes; capsule and the associated virulence; cell movement and structure for movement; chemotaxis, bacterial endospore, structure, function and importance; overview of spores of eukaryotes and the alternation of generation; mitochondria and respiratory function; overview of the arrangement of DNA and cell division. 4. Cell physiology: brief review of cellular chemistry and biochemistry (activation energy, catalysis and enzymes, biological redox reactions, hydrogen and electron transport; phosphate molecules with energy bonds); production of energy in biological systems; glycolysis and similar ways; re-oxidation of NADH: fermentation and respiration; alcoholic and lactic fermentations, aerobic respiration, the tricarboxylic acid cycle and the electron transport system; energy balance of catabolism; notes on anaerobic respiration, biosynthesis of cellular material. 5. Microbial growth of a single cell and a microbial population; measure of growth and related curve; catabolic repression and diauxia; effect of cultivation conditions on microbial growth. 6. Principles of molecular genetics and bacterial genetics: references to the structure of DNA; action of restriction enzymes; DNA replication; genetic elements; rearrangement of genes; transposons; transcription process; structure and function of mRNA and tRNA; translation process and protein synthesis; the genetic code; mutagens and mutations; recombination in bacteria; transformation, transduction and conjugation; plasmids and their biological significance. 7. Virology: the nature of the viral particle; viral count; general characteristics of viral reproduction; principles of genetics of viruses; bacteriophage RNA; icosahedral single-stranded DNA bacteriophages; double-stranded DNA viruses; the temperate bacterial viruses and lysogeny;, the main families of animal viruses (notes). 8. Microbial ecology: references to traditional techniques for isolation and identification of microorganisms; interactions between microbial populations and with other organisms; microbial communities and ecosystems, the main biogeochemical cycles (carbon, nitrogen, iron, etc.); role of microorganisms on environmental decontamination; aerobic and anaerobic catabolism of organic contaminants and wastewaters treatment; 9. Microbial biotechnology: microorganisms of industrial interest; screening from natural environments and collections, the bioreactors, geometry and applications; scale-up process; primary and secondary metabolites; notes on production of antibiotics, enzymes, aminoacids and on immobilization techniques. The laboratory practices cover the following topics: 1. The pure culture and its isolation: spreading and crawling, the re-isolation; the enrichment cultures; 2. Microscopy and microscopic observation; observations of fresh samples; simple and differential staining and observations of stained preparations; 3. Cultivation of microorganisms and measurement of microbial growth (direct and cultural counts, dry weight, turbidimetry). (reference books) Suggested texts to choose from: - Brock, Biologia dei microrganismi - Microbiologia generale, ambientale e industriale 14/E - di Michael T. Madigan, John M. Martinko, David A. Stahl, Kelly S. Bender, Daniel H. Buckley - Pearson, 2015. - Biologia dei microrganismi di G. Dehò e E. Galli, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, nuova edizione (3^ edizione), 2018. - Microbiologia di D.R. Wessner, D. Dupont e T.C. Charles, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, 2015. - Brock, Biologia dei Microrganismi di M.T. Madigan e J.M. Martinko, D.A. Stahl, D.P. Clark, Pearson, 2012. Volumi 1 e 2. - Brock, Biologia dei Microrganismi di M.T. Madigan e J.M. Martinko, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana. Volumi 1 e 2A. - Biologia dei microrgaismi di G. Dehò e E. Galli, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, 2012.
Dates of beginning and end of teaching activities	From 26/09/2021 to 20/01/2022
Delivery mode	Traditional
Attendance	not mandatory
Evaluation methods	Oral exam