The course will enable students to understand the peculiar morphological, physiological and metabolic characteristics of marine microorganisms (with particular reference to prokaryotes), their role in the marine environment and interactions with other organisms. Furthermore it will allow to know the basic techniques for their sampling and manipulation in the laboratory. The course will provide a framework for understanding current issues related to marine microorganisms and their potential applications (eg the importance of microorganisms for other marine organisms, their potential in biotechnology, the danger of some microorganisms and the necessary countermeasures to cancel potential damages of these). The course will provide the necessary insights to understand the ecological peculiarities of marine microorganisms, in particular those of some extreme marine environments.

The course will enable students to understand the peculiar morphological, physiological and metabolic characteristics of marine microorganisms (with particular reference to prokaryotes), their role in the marine environment and interactions with other organisms. Furthermore it will allow to know the basic techniques for their sampling and manipulation in the laboratory. The course will provide a framework for understanding current issues related to marine microorganisms and their potential applications (eg the importance of microorganisms for other marine organisms, their potential in biotechnology, the danger of some microorganisms and the necessary countermeasures to cancel potential damages of these). The course will provide the necessary insights to understand the ecological peculiarities of marine microorganisms, in particular those of some extreme marine environments.