Download Program of Agricultural Microbiology (pdf version)

Code
Course name
G280CA
Agricultural Microbiology
CFU
Year
6
3
Teacher
FRANCESCA CAPPITELLI
Basic aims
This course provides exhaustive information on the structure, physiology, biochemistry, genetics and
effects of microorganisms in natural environments, in particular their role in the biogeochemical cycles and
in the associations with other microorganisms, plants and animals.
Acquired skills
It covers some important microbial applications in Agriculture, Food and the Environment, so that the
student can acquire the fundamental tools to build a better career.
Course contents
This module will enable you to appreciate the diversity of microbial cells and how they interact with their
environment. It covers the structure and function of a wide variety of microbes and include a range of
applications in the agricultural field. Some lectures are dedicated to the understanding of the practical
techniques used to study the microbial world. The module has also a practical emphasis as it includes lab
classes.
Code
Course name
G280CA
Agricultural Microbiology
CFU
Year
6
3
Teacher
FRANCESCA CAPPITELLI
Program
Introduction to the course Programme and objectives. The lectures are accompanied by laboratory
activities. General information on laboratory activities. Exam rules. Cell morphology, cytology and
microbiological techniques Evolutionary relationships among prokaryotes (Bacteria and Archea) and with
Eukarya. Bacterial morphology. Morphology, physiology, ecology and taxonomy of Fungi. Prokaryotic cell
structure: wall, surface structures, cytoplasmatic membrane, ribosome, inclusions, genome. Endospore;
structure and formation. Essentials of microscopy techniques and instrumentation. Biofilms. Microbial
nutrition and growth Nutritional requirements of microorganisms and metabolic options to obtain energy.
Lab culture of microorganisms. Aerobic, facultative, microaerophilic, strictly anaerobic bacteria. Oxygen
tolerance. Microbial growth: definition, measurements, continuous culture; environmental conditions and
microbial growth (nutrients, pH, temperature, oxygen etc.). Physical and chemical antimicrobial control.
Metabolism regulation Microbial genetics Bacterial genetic elements: chromosome, plasmides and
transposons. Mutation: screening and selection of mutants. Horizontal gene transfer among bacteria:
transformation, conjugation, transduction. Bacteriophage: lytic and lysogenic pathways. Microbial
metabolism Energetic metabolism. Metabolic options of bacteria. Aerobic respiration of organic compounds;
oxygenases and degradation of organic compounds. Applications: acetic acid production, composting and
aerobic treatment of polluted soils. Chemiolitotrophy. Anaerobic respiration. Applications: wastewater
treatment, desulfurication of cultural heritage and methane production. Main fermentations and related
fermenting groups. Oxygenic and anoxygenic photosynthesis and photosynthetic bacteria. Nitrogen fixation
and its application. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) Microbial ecology Biogeochemical cycles
and related microorganisms. Associations among microorganisms, with plants (mycorrhizae, actinorhizae
and rhizobes), and with animals (rumen, intestinal tract). Criteria and methods in bacterial taxonomy
Laboratory course outline Basic aseptic techniques. Streak-plate technique, spread and pour plating, plate
counts, isolation to obtain pure cultures. Optical observations of wet mount preparations. DNA extraction
from pure cultures, gel electrophoresis, amplification and sequencing.
Code
Course name
G280CA
Agricultural Microbiology
CFU
Year
6
3
Teacher
FRANCESCA CAPPITELLI
CFU subdivision
Lectures
Practise in class
Practise in lab.
Laboratory
Seminar
Other
5
Prerequisites
General biology, organic and inorganic chemistry, biochemistry
Preparatory instructions
Info not available
Learning materials
After each lesson handouts will be given to students. Suggested textbooks: B. Biavati, C. Sorlini (2007).
Microbiologia generale e agraria, editore CEA, Milano J.J. Perry, J. T. Staley, S. Lory (2004). Microbiologia.
Zanichelli, Bologna
Other info
The exam is divided into three parts: an interim one-hour written assessement (about the first part of the
course); a written assessement at the end of the course (about the second part of the course); and a report
about the lab activities. In later assessements the two partial examinations can be performed together.