Microbiology

Course objectives

Microorganisms play a key role in the environment, in human health and in biotechnological research. The course of Microbiology aims to provide the basic principles of structure, function and evolution of microbial cells, with particular regard to bacterial cells. The knowledge and skills acquired during this course will represent a framework for the study of bioinformatics and biotechnological applications of microorganisms, and for the analysis of their impact on human health and the environment. Students who have passed the exam will know and understand (acquired knowledge) - The structural and functional diversity which is present in the microbial world; - The mechanisms responsible for the structure and functioning of bacterial cells; - The mechanisms responsible for the evolution of bacterial species; - The structure and life cycles of viruses; - The methods and strategies for the control of microbial growth. Students who have passed the exam will be able to (acquired skills): - Understand and analyse microbiological data; - Critically analyze the issues related to the evolution and diffusion of multi-resistant antibiotic bacteria; - Understand and design experimental and bioinformatics approaches for the study and exploitation of bacteria for biotechnological and environmental purposes; - Identify and develop key themes to build educational paths in microbiology.

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NADIA ANDREA ANDREANI Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
1. Microbial Basics: - Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes (cell structure, size, compartments) - Overview of microbial taxonomy and diversity (focus on bacteria) - History of microbiology: from culturing to NGS - Culturing & staining 2. Microbial Cell Biology Cell surface structures (flagella, pili, capsule, membrane) Motility, chemotaxis/taxis Cell division (binary fission, growth curve) Regulation systems: two-component systems, quorum sensing 3. Microbial Genetics - DNA replication, transcription, translation basics - Genetic code and operons - Genetic elements: plasmids, phages, transposons, integrons - Horizontal gene transfer (conjugation, transformation, transduction) - Genetic regulation: repressors, activators, attenuation 4. Viruses & Phages 5. Bacterial Evolution 6. omics: history and applications 7. Microbiome - role of the microbiome - methods to study the microbiome 8.Practical lectures: - 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing - RNAseq - Phylogenesis - Data analysis and integration
Prerequisites
A basic knowledge of the topics covered in the course “Biology of the Cell” is required.
Books
Brock Biology of Microorganisms, Global Edition 16th edition Publication year: 2021 Print-ISBN: 978-1-292-40479-0 E-ISBN: 978-1-292-40506-3 Pages: 1128 Language: English
Frequency
Attendance is not mandatory, but strongly recommended for a better understanding of theoretical and practical content.
Exam mode
Assessment will be based on a written test consisting of closed and open questions designed to test both students' theoretical knowledge and critical analysis skills. Alternatively, it will be possible to take an exemption: students can submit a short paper on the three topics covered in the practical course, demonstrating understanding of bioinformatics methods. If successful, the exoneration will allow the relevant topics to be excluded from the written exam.
Lesson mode
Classes will be conducted in a face-to-face mode. Practical classes will be conducted on a personal laptop equipped with Rstudio.
  • Lesson code1049256
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CourseBioinformatics
  • CurriculumSingle curriculum
  • Year2nd year
  • Semester1st semester
  • SSDBIO/19
  • CFU6
  • Subject areaDiscipline biotecnologiche con finalità specifiche: biologiche e industriali