GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY

Description

Prerequisites: In order to efficiently attend the course the student should possess knowledge acquired from the base teaching of mathematics, physics, general and inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry and biology. In particular, the following two prerequisites are considered mandatory: cellular and molecular biology, general and inorganic chemistry, and physical chemistry. It is also required to be familiar with English. Learning objectives: The students gain knowledge on the structure, physiology and genetic of microorganisms; they get an overview of the microbial roles within bio-geo-chemical cycles and a framework of some significant agro-environmental applications; finally, the student will be introduced to food microbiology. Contents: 1st CFU: A general overview of microbial world. Studying approach. Morphology. Cell structure and comparison between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Bacterial capsule, flagella, pili and cell wall. Biological membranes. Cytoplasm. Reserve materials. Bacterial endospores. 2nd CFU: The microbial nutrition. Main cellular elements and macromolecules. Microbial metabolism. Energy supplying. Respiration. Fermentation. Bacterial photosynthesis. 3rd CFU: Bacterial genetic. Organization of bacterial genome and comparison with eukaryotes. The structure of a bacterial gene. Replication, transcription and translation of the genetic code in bacteria. Conjugation, transformation and transduction (the structure and organization of a bacteriophage). Extrachromosomal DNA. Introduction to recombinant DNA technology (cloning vectors development, expression of heterologous genes). 4th CFU:The microbial growth and its evaluation. Mathematic and graphic expression of microbial growth. Control of the microbial growth. Sterilization and sanitization techniques. Classification criteria for the main microbial groups (virus, bacteria and actynomycetes, filamentous fungi and yeast). 5th CFU:Microorganisms of interest in agriculture. Functional microbial groups. Microbial actions within the main element cycles: carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, others. Microbial interactions. Plant-microorganisms relationships: rhizosphere, phyllosphere, biocenosis, symbiosis. 6th CFU: Laboratory practises to learn basic general microbiology techniques related to the isolation and characterization of microorganisms of agricultural and food interest. Teaching methods: The course is organized in room lectures with the help of slides that will be made available to the students. In order to acquire basic microbiology methods lab practices will be offered. A wide range of innovative teaching methods will be employed, including problem solving (the process of identifying, analyzing, and resolving problems, which fosters students’ critical thinking and creativity), case studies (in-depth analyses of simulated situations or real-world events used to apply theoretical knowledge to practical agri-food scenarios), problem-based learning (where learning takes place through the analysis of a given problem as a starting point for acquiring new knowledge), and feedback (used to gather information on students’ performance during the course, helping to improve learning outcomes and academic achievement). In addition, educational technologies will be adopted, including Moodle, videos in both Italian and English, quizzes, and music videos. In addition to contacting the course instructor, students with disabilities, specific learning disorders (SLD), special educational needs (SEN), or other health conditions may contact the Student Services Office – Inclusion Unit for further information on opportunities to access teaching activities through dedicated support measures and assistive tools. Assessment: The evaluation criteria will be: 1. body of kwnoledge 2. proper terminology 3. ability of develop arguments and connect different concepts 4. ability to synthesize information 5. ability to think critically Readings: Title: Biologia dei microrganismimicrobiologia generale, ambientale e industrialeBrock[a cura di] Michael T. Madigan ... [et al.]edizione italiana a cura di: Paola Branduardi ... [et al.] , Autori: Brock, Thomas D.; Madigan, Michael T.; Branduardi, Paola, Luogo: Milano, Anno: 2016, Editore: Torino, Pearson Italia, Note: --. Title: Dispensa del Corso di Microbiologia generale, Autori: Favaro, Lorenzo, Luogo: Padova, Anno: 2026, Editore: CLEUP, Note: --. Title: Microbiologia generale e agrariaa cura di Bruno Biavati, Claudia Sorlini , Autori: Sorlini, Claudia; Biavati, Bruno, Luogo: Milano, Anno: 2012, Editore: Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Note: --. Innovative teaching methods: Teaching and learning strategies: - Group work - Problem solving - Case study - Problem based learning - Use of technological tools (moodle and/or other educational tools, software, videos, quizzes, wooclap) - Feedback Additional notes about suggested reading: The slides used by the teacher will be made available using Moodle platform (https://elearning.unipd.it/scuolaamv/) and some additional bibliographic material and links will be suggested. The teaching material (course notes) will be available at CLEUP (www.cleup.it, Padua) at the beginning of the course (specific instructions will be given at the first lesson of the course). Two books are suggested with the following priority order: • M.T.Madigan, J.M.Martinko, K.S. Bender, D. H. Buckley, D. A. Stahl, Brock. Biologia dei microrganismi. Pearson, 2016, 14th Edition • B. Biavati, C. Sorlini, Microbiologia Generale e Agraria. --: Ambrosiana, 2012. Autori vari Examination methods: The assessment of the knowledge and skills acquired is performed through a written exam in the computer lab, consisting of a series of open-ended questions (3) and multiple-choice questions (16). Timing: 60 minutes. The use of any Artificial Intelligence tools is strictly prohibited during all assessments.