B016767 - APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY

Italian

Role of microorganisms in the biogeochemical cycles, microbial interactions, biotechnological applications of microorganisms

Madigan, Martinko, Bender, Buckley, Stahl, Brock. Biologia dei microrganismi. Microbiologia generale, ambientale e industriale, Ediz. Pearson

Barbieri, Bestetti, Galli, Zannoni. Microbiologia Ambientale ed elementi di ecologia microbica. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.

Material provided by the teacher

Knowledge: understanding of the lexicon of environmental microbiology; defining and collocating microbial interactions in the environment; distinguish the role of microorganisms in the regulation of environmentally relevant phenomena; indicating the possibilities that microorganisms have in the biotechnological applications.
Competences: correct use of specific lexicon; examinating role and the potentiality of microorganims in the biotechnological development; integrating the role of microrganisms in the rapid changes occurring on the planet.
Cross-competences: integrating and expanding base concepts in global dynamics.

none

lectures; interactive teaching

supplementary material in MOODLE

The exam consists of a written test. The written test evaluates the student's ability to apply the knowledge acquired during the course, demonstrating that he has achieved the objectives set by the specific module. Since it is an integrated course, the exam consists of 2 tests composed of multiple choice questions, one for each of the two modules that comprise it:

A. General Microbiology

B. Applied and Environmental Microbiology

The test of module B. will also include open-ended and fill-in-blank questions.

The difficulty level of the test questions corresponds to the program performed and to the reference texts indicated for each module. For each of the two tests, if resolved completely and without errors, 30 points are awarded; the test is deemed to have been passed if the evaluation for each of the two tests of the two modules is at least 18 points. The final grade will be obtained from the weighted average of the two tests.

The module is divided in two parts. In the first one environemntal microbiology will be considered. Biogeochemical cycles will be described, in particular the role of microorganisms in the carbon and nitrogen cycles and the influence of human activities on these cycles. A short overview of the phosphorus cycles will be also given. Interactions among microorganisms and between microorganisms and higher organisms will be analyzed, focusing on rhizosphere and phycosphere, and on symbioses (rhizobia and legumes, mycorrhiza, corals).

In the second part of the course applied microbiology in the frame of a circular economy concept will be treated. Wastewater treatment processes will be described from a microbiological standpoint.
In the last part of the course biotechnological products from microbial sources presently on the market or still in the R&D phase will be described:
-biofuels
-industrial products (enzymes, bioplastics)
-bioactive molecules, antibiotics
-biosensors