Ecobiology

General objectives - Main objective of the course is to allow the student to acquire advanced knowledge of environmental microbiology including the most modern molecular techniques and methodologies, for the study of microbial diversity and its effects in different natural environments. In particular, in this module we will examine the different components of the microbial cell, and their role in mediating the interactions with the environment also for evolutionary purposes. We will also study the microbial diversity in relation to their environments. Specific objectives - Knowledge and understanding: • To know and understand the role of micro-organisms in the evolution and remodeling of natural and anthropic environments; • to know and understand the role of microbial structures such as adhesion structures, secretion systems in the evolution of microorganisms and in the colonization of biotic and abiotic environments; • know and understand the plasticity of microbial genomes Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: The course provides the tools that allow the student to evaluate: the presence of microorganisms in different natural and anthropized environments; microbial activities in different environments; the use of methods for detecting microorganisms and their metabolic activities. Making judgments: The student, through the study and analysis of experimental data present in public databases, acquires an autonomous ability to interpret experimental data and to place them, critically, within the framework of the knowledge already acquired. Communication skills: the student acquires the use of appropriate terminology for the communication of environmental microbiology knowledge to both the lay public and experts. Learning skills: the ability to learn is stimulated by the continuous reference, in all the activities of the course, to the knowledge acquired and to the methodologies used for their progress. At the end of the course the students will be able to evaluate the role of microorganisms in the various environments and identify the most appropriate methods of investigation Module 2 (Carattoli) General objectives - Main objective of the course is to allow students to acquire advanced knowledge of environmental microbiology including the most advanced molecular methods, for the study of microorganisms in natural and anthropic environments. In particular, the objective of this module is the analysis of microbial diversity in the environment with particular reference to the differences between natural and anthropic environments. Specific objectives - Knowledge and understanding: • to know and understand the role of microbial genetic elements, in particular the mobile elements such as plasmids and transposons, in the evolution of microorganisms and in the colonization of biotic and abiotic environments; • understand and understand the molecular mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer that underlie the rapid evolution of microbial genomes and their adaptation to the most extreme environments • know and understand the different microbial activities in relation to all the ecological aspects including physico-chemical changes, metabolite exchange, signaling, chemotaxis and exchange of genetic material. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: The course provides the tools that allow the student to: identify the most appropriate methodologies for the analysis of microbial genetic elements in different natural and anthropized environments; to evaluate the role of microbial genetic elements in environmental remodeling and microbial evolution, with particular reference to anthropized environments. Making judgments: The student, through the study and analysis of experimental data present in public databases, acquires an autonomous ability to interpret experimental data and to place them, critically, within the framework of the knowledge already acquired. Communication skills: the student acquires the use of appropriate terminology for the communication of environmental microbiology knowledge to both the lay public and experts. Learning skills: the ability to learn is stimulated by the continuous reference, in all the activities of the course, to the knowledge acquired and to the methodologies used for their progress. At the end of the course the students will be able to evaluate the role of microorganisms in the various environments and identify the most appropriate methods of investigation.