Food and Industrial Biotechnology

General skills Today’s view of Microbiology has gone far beyond the simple idea of microbes as causative agents of a diversified spectrum of human pathologies. The current opinion considers microorganisms mainly as major constituents of ecosystems, vital components of eukaryotic organisms, very often key mediators in productive and industrial processes. Our course in Microbiology is therefore intended to provide students with the knowledge clues required to understand the high plasticity of the microbial world. The focus is on progressively integrating specific notions about bacterial and viral structures, their functional relationships, and the organization and evolution of genomes into a logical learning path. This will secure the understanding of the molecular mechanisms which regulate the interaction of microorganisms with both biotic and abiotic environments. Students will thus acquire the competences to assess the role of microorganisms in biomedical, biotechnological, and environmental area. Specific skills A) Knowledge and understanding. The student will have acquired knowledge and understanding - Structure of the prokaryotic cell (Bacteria and Archea) and biosynthesis of the cell components. - Organization of the bacterial genome and role of the mobile genetic elements - Procedures for microbial growth and for microbial growth control - Processes of bacterial colonization of the host and of the environment - Mechanisms of action of antibiotics and emergence of antibiotic resistance B) Applying knowledge and understanding - Understanding the key role played by microorganisms in the interactions with the host and the environment. - Understanding the biological processes of multicellular organisms banking on the knowledge acquired from the microorganisms -Understanding biotechnological applications of microorganisms C) Making judgments - Being able to analyze in a thoughtful and informed manner the information on the microbes world - Making informed decisions on the use of products derived from bacteria or viruses and on the importance of vaccinations D) Communication skills - Being able to communicate to the public the notions learned on the microbe world in a correct and informed manner using appropriate terminology - Being able to fully interpret any microorganisms-associated phenomena from both a personal and social point of view. E) Learning skills -be able to make logical connection among different topics covered -learning the specific terminology