Microbiology
Code: 100953 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2500253 Biotechnology | OB | 2 | 1 |
Contact
- Name:
- Escarlata Rodriguez Carmona
- Email:
- escarlata.rodriguez@uab.cat
Use of Languages
- Principal working language:
- catalan (cat)
- Some groups entirely in English:
- No
- Some groups entirely in Catalan:
- Yes
- Some groups entirely in Spanish:
- No
Prerequisites
There are no official prerequisites to follow the course successfully, but it is assumed that the student has previously acquired basic knowledge on contents and concepts that refer to the microbial world, starting the course having revised them will prove useful.
It is also advisable to have a good knowledge of the subjects studied during the first year of the degree of biotechnology as well as the rest of the subjects to be studied simultaneously during the first semester.
Objectives and Contextualisation
Objectives and Contextualization:
It is a compulsory subject of the degree of Biotechnology that introduces students to the microbial world, giving an overview of microorganisms in connection with other living beings and the different environments in which microorganisms live.
This subject, given its introductory nature, gives the most basic concepts and competencies referred to Microbiology, so that students can deepen the following courses in the other subjects that are part of the core of Biotechnology.
Learning objectives of the course:
- Identify the different structures, as well as the composition of the prokaryotic cell.
- Know the metabolic versatility of the different microbial groups, particularly those of prokaryotes.
- Understand the growth of microbial populations and how to control them with physical and chemical agents.
- Know the genomic variability of the microorganisms and the main mechanisms of genetic transfer information in prokaryotes.
- Recognize broadly the microbial diversity and know how to distinguish the characteristics that define the different microbial groups.
- Recognize the main relationships of microorganisms with living organisms and the physical environment they inhabit.
- Understand the role of microorganisms in the development of human societies, as well as their current and future applications.
- Know how to perform basic calculations to determine microbiological parameters.
- Understand basic laboratory techniques to work experimentally with microorganisms.
Competences
- Apply the principal techniques for the use of biological systems: recombinant DNA and cloning, cell cultures, manipulation of viruses, bacteria and animal and plant cells, immunological techniques, microscopy techniques, recombinant proteins and methods of separation and characterisation of biomolecules.
- Describe the molecular, cellular and physiological bases of the organisation, functioning and integration of living organisms in the framework of their application to biotechnological processes.
- Identify the genetic, physiological and metabolic properties of microorganisms with potential for application to biotechnological processes and the possibility of manipulating microorganisms.
- Interpret experimental results and identify consistent and inconsistent elements.
- Make an oral, written and visual presentation of one's work to a professional or non-professional audience in English or in one's own language.
- Read specialised texts both in English and one's own language.
- Reason in a critical manner
- Search for and manage information from various sources.
- Think in an integrated manner and approach problems from different perspectives.
- Work individually and in teams
Learning Outcomes
- Describe the molecular, cellular and physiological bases of the organisation, functioning and integration of microorganisms in the framework of their application to biotechnological processes.
- Describe the principal techniques for using microorganisms and their structures and molecules in biotechnological processes.
- Explain microbial metabolic diversity and identify the important processes for food production and processing.
- Identify the genetic and metabolic potential of microorganisms in the generation of substances of industrial use or as insecticides.
- Identify the microbial groups and the physiological processes responsible for industrial transformation processes.
- Interpret experimental results and identify consistent and inconsistent elements.
- Make an oral, written and visual presentation of one's work to a professional or non-professional audience in English or in one's own language.
- Read specialised texts both in English and one's own language.
- Reason in a critical manner
- Search for and manage information from various sources.
- Think in an integrated manner and approach problems from different perspectives.
- Work individually and in teams
Content
I. Theory
1. INTROCUDCTION
Lesson 1: The world of microorganisms
The history of human societies and microorganisms. Discovering microorganisms. Organization levels. Main differences between virus and cellular organisms. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic organization. Groups of microorganisms and nomenclature.
2. THE VIRUSES
Lesson 2: Introductory overview and general characteristics of viruses
Concept of virus. Structure of viral particles. Viral replication. Taxonomy principles and virus diversity.
3. STRUCTURES AND FUNCTION OF PROKARIOTES
Lesson 3: Prokaryotic cells
Size and morphology. Cytoplasm. Nuclear region. Cytoplasm membrane. Nutrient transport and transport systems.
Lesson 4: Prokaryotic cell envelopes
Structure and function of the cell wall. Capsules and mucous layers.
Lesson 5: Flagella and main motility mechanisms
Flagella. Main motility mechanisms. Microbial taxa.
Lesson 6: Intracellular inclusions and differentiation mechanisms
Functional and storage inclusions. Endospores.
4. BACTERIAL GENETICS
Lesson 7: Prokaryotic genome
Genome structure. Genetic information. Types of genetic elements. Prokaryotic chromosome. DNA replication and transcription. RNA translation. Extrachromosomal genetic material: bacterial plasmids. Mobile elements: insertion sequences and transposons.
Lesson 8. Mutagenesis
Spontaneous and induced mutations. Selection of mutants and phenotypic expression. The meaning of DNA repair mechanisms.
Lesson 9: Genetic transfer mechanisms
Conjugation, transformation and transduction.
5. MICROBIAL GROWTH AND CONTROL
Lesson 10: Cell cycle inprokaryotic cells
Binary fission. Cellular division and control. Diversity of cell cycles in prokaryotic organisms.
Lesson 11: Microbial growth and continuous culture of microorganisms
Cell growth and bacterial population growth. Concepts of continuous culture of microorganisms.
Lesson 12: Influence of environmental factors on microbial growth
Influence of temperature, pH, osmotic effects, oxygen concentration and pressure on microbial growth.
Lesson 13: Microbial growth control using physical and chemical agents
Antimicrobial agents. Difference between antiseptics, disinfectants and chemotherapeutic agents.Resistance to antimicrobial agents.
6. BACTERIAL PHYSIOLOGY AND METABOLISM
Lesson 14: Global metabolism outline
Sources of energy, carbon and reducing power. Biosynthetic strategy. Processes to obtain energy Chemiotrophy and phototrophy. Autotrophy and heterotrophy. Types of microorganisms according to their nutrition. CO2 fixing pathways. Degradation of organic compounds. Fixation of nitrogen.
Lesson 15: Respiration
Respiratory chains. Aerobic respiration. Respiration of inorganic and organic compounds by facultative organisms. Anaerobic respiration.
Lesson 16: Fermentation
General characteristics of fermentation processes. Final products and classification of fermentation processes. Fermentations without phosphorilation at the substrate level. Syntrophy.
Lesson 17: Chemiolitotrophy
Inorganic energy donors. Inverse flow of electrons. Examples of chemilithotrophy groups.
Lesson 18: Phototrophy
Photosynthetic pigments and organization of the photosyntheticapparatus. Photophosphorylation. Differences between anoxygenic and oxygenic photosynthesis.
7. MICROBIAL DIVERSITY
Lesson 19: Prokaryote diversity
The origin of life and biological diversification. Introduction to prokaryotic taxonomy and phylogeny. Other taxonomy levels. Concept of species in prokaryotic organisms. Phylogenetic organization basis. Main groups: Archaea, Gram-negative proteobacteria, Gram-negative non-proteobacteria, Gram-positive bacteria and mycoplasmas.
Lesson 20. Archaea
Differential characteristics. Phylum Euryarchaeota: methanogens, extreme halophiles and hyperthermophils. Phylum Crenarchaeota: hyperthermophiles and others.
Lesson 21. Gram-negative bacteria I
Taxonomic groups of proteobacteria. Differential characteristics and examples.
Lesson 22. Gram-negative bacteria II
Taxonomic groups of non-proteobacteria. Differential characteristics and examples.
Unit 23. Gram-positive bacteria and mycoplasmas
Phyla Firmicutes, Tenericutes and Actinobacteria.
8. APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
Lesson 24: Microbiology in the food industry
Microbial growth in food. Food decomposition. Control of food decomposition. Food-transmitted diseases. Pathogen detection in food.
Lesson 25: Microbiology in the healthcare industry
Industrial microorganisms and their products. Primary and secondary metabolites. Vitamin, amino acid and antibiotic production. Microbial biotransformations. Microbial enzymes as industrial products.
Lesson 26: Biotechnology
Basic principles of biotechnology. Genetic engineering products. Expression of cloned genes. Protein production in bacteria. Protein production in yeast. Obtaining vaccines using genetic engineering. Microbial biopolymers. Gene therapy in humans. Transgenic organisms.
II. Problems
Lesson 1. Microscopic technique
Optical and electron microscopy applied to microorganisms. In vivo microorganisms examination. Fixing and staining (simple, differential and specific staining).
Lesson 2. Seeding and isolation techniques
Nutritional requirements of microorganisms. Culture medium composition. Types of culture mediums. Microorganism isolation. Seed techniques. Identification methods.
Lesson 3. Problems on basic microbiology
Experimental design. Concentration calculus. Concept of viable and total counting. Concept of viable but unculturable microorganisms.
Lesson 4. Problems about growth and microbial control
Experimental design. Growth curves and parameter calculation. Growth curves of survival to different treatments.
Lesson 5. Problems about basic virology
Counting viral particles. Virulent and temperate bacteriophages.
Presentation, assessment, resolution, individual and/or collective critical discussion and presentation of proposed problems.
Introduction to active learning activities, definition of key ideas, assessment and group activity presentations.
Methodology
The subject of Microbiology consists of three modules, which have been programmed in an integrated way to reach the competencies indicated in section 5 of this guide.
The modules are as follows:
Participatory classroom lectures: Lectures will address the main ideas of the different topics. Students should expand and confront autonomously as a personal work. At the beginning of the course the content of the different topics will be explained by the professor, as well as the bibliography that should be consulted to prepare each theory lecture and for personal study of the topics explained.
Scientific problem seminars: These seminars are sessions with the mission of: a) working methodological aspects, b) training the student to design basic microbiology experiments and to propose experimental approaches, c) designing strategies for solving and interpreting scientific problems, d) acquiring the skills necessary to perform literature research, text reading and oral presentations, e) to facilitate the understanding of the knowledge presented in the theory lectures and f) to bridge the gap between theory lectures and laboratory practices, with the objective of integrating the theoretical and the practical knowledge. The student will receive proposals for problems and/or scientific cases that will be developed during the course in class both individually and in a group.
Active learning activities: These activities are sessions with the mission of: a) facilitating the understanding of the knowledge presented in the theory lectures, b) acquiring the necessary skills to perform literature research, text reading and active self-study learning and c) encourage cooperative teamwork, coordination of activities and rational presentation of work plans and results. The student will perform oral, written and/or visual presentation of an issue, activity or scientific case. The professor will indicate the bibliography to be consulted and the relationship of each session with the topics discussed in the theory lectures.
Additional Information
In those sessions, students will have the opportunity to have individual guidance according to their needs. To follow adequately the course, the student will have access to all the materials used in the Campus Virtual.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Activities
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Active learning activities and scientific problems seminars | 15 | 0.6 | 10, 1, 3, 7, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 9, 12, 2 |
| Lectures | 30 | 1.2 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 2 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Personal tutorial duidance sessions | 3 | 0.12 | 10, 1, 3, 7, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 9, 12, 2 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Literature search, text reading | 24 | 0.96 | 10, 7, 8, 11, 9, 12 |
| Personal study | 50 | 2 | 10, 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 9, 12, 2 |
| Scientific problem resolution | 20 | 0.8 | 10, 1, 3, 7, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 9, 12, 2 |
Assessment
The evaluation of the course will be done individual and continued through the following tests:
Evaluation of classroom lectures competencies
During the course two midterm exams will be scheduled. Each midterm exam will have a weight of 30% of the overall grade. The final mark of this evaluation form will be average of the two midterm exams. To pass each midterm exam, to eliminate the corresponding part of the theoretical subject and make average, students must achieve a minimum mark of 3.5 in each exam. If the average of the midterm exams is equal to or greater than 5 students will not have to do the final exam (or Remedial exam) of the subject. In the case of obtaining a lower mark of 3.5 in one or both midterm exams, students will be presented at the Final exam (or Remedial exam) on the date scheduled for the final evaluation of the course.
Evaluation of scientific problem and seminars
The evaluation of this activity will be done separately from evaluation of classroom lectures competencies considering the seminars and the resolution of problems and will consist of a written exam at the end of the course that will have a weight of 20% of the overall grade. Students who fail the evaluation of scientific problems and seminars can retrieve it on the date scheduled for the final exam of the course.
Evaluation of active learning activities
This activity is assessed separately from evaluation of classroom lectures competencies and seminars and scientific problems evaluation considering oral presentations of the proposed activities and will have a weight of 20% of the final mark. Students will present the reports ofthe assigned active learning activitiesinclassroom sessions. Oral presentations will be evaluated oncontent, organization and communicative skills. Students who fail the evaluation of the group activities can retrieve the active learning activities onthe date scheduled for the final exam of the course.
To pass the course, students must obtain a mark of 5 or greater than 5 in each module.
Students who do not pass any of the written and/or oral tests may retrieve them at the scheduled date at the end of the semester. Likewise, on the same date, students who have passed the subject and want to improve their mark may submit to a global examination of the subject, which will include questions from the three evaluation modules. The presentation of the student to the examination of improvement of note implies the renunciation of the qualification obtained previously.
To be eligible for the retake process, the student should have been previously evaluated in a set of activities equaling at least two thirds of the final score of the course or module.
Thus, the student will be graded as "No Avaluable" if the weighthin of all conducted evaluation activities is less than 67% of the final score.
Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evaluation public oral presentations of reports | 20 % | 2 | 0.08 | 10, 1, 3, 7, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 9, 12, 2 |
| Evaluation scientific problems and seminars | 20% | 2 | 0.08 | 10, 6, 8, 11, 9, 12 |
| Evaluation theory I | 30 % | 2 | 0.08 | 10, 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 9, 12, 2 |
| Evaluation theory II | 30% | 2 | 0.08 | 10, 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 9, 12, 2 |
Bibliography
Textbooks
Martín A., Béjar V., Gutierrez J.C., Llagostera M. y Quesada E. 2019. Microbiología Esencial. 1ª edición. Editorial Médica Panamericana. ISBN: 9788491102427 (en línia https://cataleg.uab.cat/iii/encore/record/C__Rb2071402)
Madigan, M, KS Bender, DH Buckely, WM Sattley, DA Stahl. 2019. Brock Biology of Microorganisms: Pearson Education Limited. ISBN: 9781292235103 (paperback)
Madigan, M, JM Martinko, K. Bender, D. Buckely, DA Stahl. 2015. Brock Biología de los Microorganismos. 14ª ed. Pearson. ISBN: 9788490352793 [Recurs electrònic https://cataleg.uab.cat/iii/encore/record/C__Rb1970911]
Willey, J, LM Sherwood, CJ Woolverton. 2016. Prescott's microbiology. McGraw-Hil. ISBN: 9781259281594
Willey,J, LM Sherwood, CJ Woolverton. 2013. Prescott, Harley y Klein microbiología. 7ª ed. McGraw-Hil. ISBN: 9788448191207 [Recurs electrònic https://cataleg.uab.cat/iii/encore/record/C__Rb1986657]
Wiley, J, LM Sherwood, CJ Woolverton. 2009. Microbiología de Prescott, Harley y Klein. 7ª ed. MacGraw-Hill. ISBN: 978-8448168278.
Glazer, AN, H Nikaido. 2007. Microbial Biotechnology: Fundamentals of Applied Microbiology. 2ond edition. Cambridge University Press. ISBN: 9780521842105 (cart.)
Lee Yuan Kun. 2006. Microbial Biotechnology: Principles and Applications. 2ond edition.New Jersey. World Scientific. ISBN: 9789814366816 (cart.)
Recommended readings
De Kruif, P. 1926. Los cazadores de microbios. Ediciones Nueva Fénix. ISBN: 9789700768045
Recommended blogs
Esos pequeños bichitos
http://weblogs.madrimasd.org/microbiologia/
Blog Small things considered
http://schaechter.asmblog.org/schaechter/
Recommended websites
http://weblogs.madrimasd.org/microbiologia/archive/2007/12/23/81281.aspx
http://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/MicrobeWiki
http://serc.carleton.edu/microbelife/
http://web.mst.edu/~microbio/Bio221.html
http://curiosidadesdelamicrobiologia.blogspot.com/
http://weblogs.madrimasd.org/microbiologia/
http://www.topix.com/science/microbiology
http://microbiologybytes.wordpress.com/
http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/dlc-me/
Software
To follow adequately the course, the student will have access to all the materials used in the Campus Virtual.
There is no specific software.