Of Bacteria, viruses and men 1400-215BWC-OG

Description:

1.“Invisible companions of man ". Basic information on prokaryotic microorganisms (bacteria and archea) and viruses. Their role in the natural environment, including the circulation of elements. Microorganisms are the key to understanding the past and future of our planet.

2. Microorganisms used in biotechnological processes. Methods for strain improvement. Description of selected biotechnologies using micro-organisms, with particular emphasis on medicinal technology (antibiotics) and other useful products. The use of bacterial vectors in biotechnology as well as in the fight against cancer.

3.Bacteria and humans – a pathological relation. Bacteria as microorganisms pathogenic to humans – History of bacterial diseases: great pandemics and great inventions in bacteriology – Review of selected pathogenic bacteria and diseases caused by them – Detection and treatment of bacterial diseases – Drug resistance in bacterial infections – Challenges of modern bacteriology

4. Microbiological hazards in food.
What microorganisms threatening human health can be encountered in food? Which products are particularly dangerous and for whom?

5. „Human microbiome and its health effect”. Composition, location and functions of the microbiome. Why and how to regulate microbial composition through the use of probiotics? Relationship between microbial biodiversity and the occurrence of various diseases.

6. Antimicrobial resistance. The major mechanisms of antibiotic resistance taking into account classes of antibiotics and their mechanisms of action. It seems that we have the perfect drugs – antibiotics that either prevent the growth of bacteria (bacteriostatic antibiotics) or kill bacteria (bactericidal antibiotics). Unfortunately bacteria have evolved sophisticated mechanisms of resistance to antibiotics and avoid killing by antimicrobial molecules. What is the culprit here and how to stop the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria?

7 . Alternative for antibiotics - medicines from ..... pharmacy. " The increasing antibiotic resistance of bacteria to antibiotics used in medicine, veterinary medicine and agriculture forces the search for alternative medicines. Natural "drugs" against bacterial and viral infections, among others: plant compounds, functional foods, vaccines. New discoveries in the field of microbiology and biotechnology that can be used to treat infections caused by strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

8. "Bioterrorism and toxins - weapons of mass destruction and the fight against ... signs of aging?" Biological weapons from the terrorist point of view. Classification of biological weapons with examples. How "biological weapons were invented and methods of attack developed" - historical background. Examples of using biological weapons and methods of detecting bioterrorist attacks. Outline of the National Antiterrorist Program for 2015-2019. Botulinum toxin - poison, potential chemical weapon, but also medicinal and beautifying agent.

9. Bacteria – interplay with the surrounding world. How and why do bacteria communicate with their environment? An overview of basic interactions – bacterial response to physico-chemical and biological stimuli.
„Bacterial biofilms – social life of bacteria”. Mechanisms of biofilm formation. How bacteria communicate each other? Why biofilm formation is favorable for bacteria? What kind of risks to carry biofilms on human?

10. How to protect yourself from epidemic? Vaccines are one of the most effective forms of fighting pathogens. What are vaccines and why are they recommended? Arguments of supporters and opponents of vaccination.

11-13. "Planet of viruses". How viruses regulate the biosphere, their impact on our health, and how we can use viruses for our purposes as the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Oncolytic viruses, bacteriophages, nanotechnologies, gene therapy, model organisms, molecular biology tools. Top 10 of biggest viral killers in human history.

14. Synthetic biology - the new era of (micro)biology". Synthetic biology is a new interdisciplinary field of knowledge that seeks to create artificial systems and organisms. The bacteria that are the most frequently used research model are of fundamental importance in the development of this scientific discipline. The lecture will describe synthetic genes, genetic systems and microorganisms