MIB-20306 Microbial Physiology

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Studiepunten 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

Cell Biology 2

Contents:

The Microbial Physiology course is an advanced course that addresses various aspects of microbial physiology. The following subjects are dealt with in the lectures: 1. Bioenergetics of microbial processes, 2. Microbial growth, 3. Catabolic and 4. Anabolic pathways.
Apart from the lectures, the students will participate in a literature study, in which small groups (6-8 students) tackle a specific topic related to microbial physiology. Often these subjects concern a biotechnological application, like methanogenesis and wastewater treatment, degradation of xenobiotics, application of extremozymes, hydrogen formation by phototrophes.
In addition, the students will take part in a practical course. In small groups (3-4 students) practical experience will be gathered by using methods, techniques that are common in microbial physiology research. The various experiments are often part of the current research of the Ph.D students of the laboratory.

Aims:

To obtain advanced knowledge of various aspects of Microbial Physiology, viz.: - thermodynamics of biological reactions
- membrane processes
- energy transduction
- aerobic and anaerobic respiration
- batch en continuous cultures
- mass- and redox balances
- fermentation of sugars and amino acids
- biosynthesis of cell material
- synthesis and excretion of amino acids and other organic acids
To obtain practical training in various physiology related techniques and to make reports, viz.:
- perform a chemostat experiment
- spectrophotometric enzyme measurements
- polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
- anaerobic culturing techniques
- analysis of fermentation products/dechlorination products by GC, HPLC, BOM
- metabolic engineering/controlled overexpression
To learn how to analyze a specific subject, using the available literature and databases; to discuss and interpret the gathered information in small groups, and to present the results orally.

Activities:

Attend the lectures that are supported by a reader. Study literature (problem-based-learning) followed by a short presentation. Perform several practical experiments and write a report for each experiment.

Examination:

The final mark is based on a written exam that covers the lectures, the practical course and the literature study (60%), a written report of the literature study (20%) and written reports of the experiments in the practical course (20%). To pass the course, the mark for the exam should be at least 5.0.

Literature:

Reader 'Microbial Physiology' and practical course handbook (both are available at the laboratory of Microbiology). Textbook 'Microbiology' (Prescott et al. 5th ed.).