Marine waters cover 70% of the earth's surface and are populated by thousands of micro-organisms that play a fundamental role for life on our planet. Marine microbiology deals with the study of microorganisms (archea, bacteria, viruses and eukaryotic microorganisms) and their activities in marine ecosystems. It includes the study of microbial biodiversity, interactions between microorganisms and other living organisms and their role in coastal and oceanic marine ecosystems.
The aim is to provide basic knowledge on the biology and ecology of marine microorganisms (with particular reference to bacteria, viruses and archaea), and on the composition, ecological role and biotechnological applications of marine microbial communities. The teaching will also provide basic knowledge on up to date microbiological techniques currently employed for the study of marine microorganisms and marine microbial communities.
The attendance and participation in the planned training activities will allow the student to acquire general knowledge in the field of marine microbiology.
Specifically, the student will be able to:
• Know the basic biology of marine microorganisms and their activities
• Understanding the ecological role of marine microorganisms and marine microbial communities
• Know the main techniques of modern use necessary for the characterization and study of marine microbes
To effectively address teaching contents basic knowledge on general microbiology (eg structure of the prokaryotic cell and microbial metabolism) and biochemistry and molecular biology (structure and function of the main organic biomolecules, basic knowledge of the mechanisms of DNA replication and protein synthesis) are strongly recommended.
The module consists exclusively of lectures. Attendance at lessons is strongly recommended,while attendance at practical and laboratory activities is mandatory at 75%.
Lectures in the classroom are delivered through multimedia presentations.
The way lessons are taught may be modified due to emergencies that prevent in-person lessons from being held. In this case, classes will be held via the Teams platform using suitable substitute teaching tools.
Introduction to marine microbiology; origin of microbial life in the oceans; techniques for studying marine microorganisms (sampling, culture-based assays, culture-independent assays, typing assays); genomic and metagenomic approaches for studying marine microbial communities (whole genome sequencing, metabarcoding, shotgun metagenomics, functional metagenomics, target enrichment metagenomics, whole genome enrichment); Next Generation Sequencing techniques applied to the study of marine microorganisms (Ion Torrent, Illumina, Nanopore, PacBio); marine bacteria and archaea (gamma- and alphaproteobacteria, SAR11 cluster, giant bacteria, bioluminescent bacteria, phototrophic and chemolithoautotrophic bacteria, marine archaea); marine viruses (Myoviridae, Siphoviridae, Podoviridae, viral shunt and ecological role of viruses in the ocean, culture-based and culture-independent assays for studying marine viruses); marine microorganisms pathogenic to humans and animals (Vibrio spp.); marine extremophiles and hydrothermal vents (anaerobes, thermophiles, halophiles, barophiles, microbial mats); role of microorganisms in the marine environment (microbial metabolisms and biogeochemical cycles, microbial loop, viral loop, biological pump); survival strategies of marine bacteria (endospores, starvation responses, VBNC, biofilms); marine microbiomes; impacts of climate change on marine microorganisms; microbiological water quality control (fecal indicator bacteria and assays for their detection); water and sediment bioremediation (biostimulation and bioaugmentation, remediation of environmental contaminants such as metals, xenobiotics, hydrocarbons; organic enrichment).
All slides used during lessons and other teaching materials will be available on AulaWeb at the end of each lesson cycle. The books listed below are suggested as supporting texts, but students can still use other university level texts.
Micheal T Madigan et al 2016. Brock, Biologia dei microrganismi, Microbiologia generale, ambientale e industriale. Pearson Editore (Milano), ISBN-10: 889190094X, 848 pp.
D. R. Wessner, C. Dupont, T. C. Charles 2015. Microbiologia. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana (Milan). ISBN: 8808181006
Ricevimento: Meetings with students will be agreed directly with the teacher.
For lessons start and timetable go to the link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/
The timetable for this course is available here: EasyAcademy
The exam is written and consists of the answer to questions asked by the teacher on topics covered during the lessons.
Detailed information on how to prepare for the exam and the degree of detail required for each covered topic will be provided during the lessons. The examination will focus on the topics covered in class and will have the purpose to evaluate not only if the student has reached an adequate level of knowledge, but also if he has acquired the ability to recall the theoretical notions by applying them to simple concrete contexts. The ability to expose the arguments clearly and with correct terminology will also be evaluated.
Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.
