Microbiology in environment protection 1400-113MIKwOS
Lecture – part one:
1. General characteristics of microorganisms: taxonomy, biodiversity, common and unique features, dissemination in the environment, contribution to biosphere transformation. Viruses.
2. The structure of prokaryotic cells and its role in adjustment to environment.
3. Metabolic diversity of microorganisms – part 1
energy and carbon sources, the sources of other biogenic elements, nitrogen fixation, fermentations, aerobic and anaerobic respiration
4. Metabolic diversity of microorganisms – part 2,
chemolithoautotrophy and methylotrophy
5. Influence of physical and chemical environmental factors on microorganisms. Extreme environments.
6. Expansion strategies of microorganisms: bacterial taxes, quorum sensing, biofilms, mats, relations between microorganisms and micro - and macroorganisms.
7. Water and food bacterial contamination. Mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis. Antibiotic resistance prevalence in bacteria.
Lecture - part two:
1. Methods used in environmental microbiology
2. Basic characteristics of terrestrial, aquatic and degraded ecosystems
3. Relationships between environment and microorganisms; the influence of environmental factors on microorganisms and the modifications of environments by microorganisms
4. Role of microorganisms in nitrogen, phosphorous and carbon cycling (A)
5. Role of microorganisms in nitrogen, phosphorous and carbon cycling (B)
6. The application of unique metabolism and activity of microorganisms for environment protection of and in technologies used to remove nutrients and anthropogenic pollutants (waste water treatments, bioremediation of soils, restoration of degraded ecosystems)
7. Microorganisms as a threat for human health and other organisms in various environments: cyanobacteria and algae as a source of toxins, pathogenic microorganisms.
Laboratory – part one; Bacterial Genetics Department
First four lab classes constitute a logical sequence aimed at comparison of quantitative and qualitative composition of microorganisms in natural environments.
1.
1.1 Basic microbiological techniques - sterilization, microbial media, pure culture isolation, estimation of number of bacteria (viable/total counts).
1.2. Isolation of bacteria and fungi from different environments – water, soil and air, comparison of quantitative and qualitative composition of microorganisms (saprofits, thermophiles, psychrophiles, Actinobacteria, moulds, spore-forming and hemolytic bacteria)
2.
2.1.Isolation of pure cultures of microorganisms from different natural environments.
2.2 Antibiotic production by isolated Actinobacteria.
2.3 Utilization of organic compounds (cellulose, starch, lipids, proteins) and nitrogen sources transformation by microorganisms from water and soil.
3.
3.1 Aerobic and anaerobic metabolism (intensity of respiration – reduction of methylen blue, fermentations, catalase activity, microaerophilic conditions)
4.
4.1 Morphology and structure of bacterial cells (staining procedures, wet mounts of living cells; endospores and capsule).
5.
5.1 Bacteriologic examination of water (coliform test) and food (isolation of Campylobacter from chicken meat).
6.
6.1 Bacterial cultures and factors influencing the growth rate (UV radiation, antibiotic resistance, heavy ion influence and transformation of arsenic).
7.
7.1 Discussion about results from previous lab class.
7.2 Summary and consultations.
Laboratory – part two; Microbial Ecology Department
1. Microorganisms from various environments: identification in light and epifluorescence microscope with image analysis system
2. i 3. Microbial processes and environmental biotechnology: respiration and utilization of organic compounds in relation to changes of number, biomass and morphology of heterotrophic bacteria: BZT7, DOC and microscopic analyses
4. i 5. The application in environmental biotechnology of assimilation and transformation of various organic and mineral C, N and P compounds by microorganisms – monitoring of microbial metabolic processes using chemical and biological analyses (spectrocolorymetry, fluorymetry, and microscopic techniques)
6) Activated sludge – use of microbial processes in wastewater treatment plants; the model system of wastewater treatment, efficiency of the model system in removal of C, N and P from sewage
7) Detection and monitoring of toxic cyanobacteria by means of microscopic and molecular analyses, detection of cyanotoxins in aquatic environments (ELISA)
8) Summary
Type of course
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
KNOWLEDGE
Knows basic terminology of microbial ecology and basic ecological processes. K_W02 Os1
Knows basic laboratory methods, visual and measurement techniques applied in the analysis of natural phenomena. K_W03 Os1
Knows the most important problems of nature conservation and knows their relationships with other disciplines. K_W04 Os1
Knows the global environmental problems and the use of ecology in the practice of conservation and development of the environment. K_W05 Os1
Describes actual problems of civilization associated with the necessity of reconcile economic development with environmental protection requirements and identifies key threats of the state of atmosphere and aquatic and land environments. K_W06 Os1
ABILITIES
Is able to conduct microbiological observations and the experiments independently as well as in a group. Knows how to interpret the results applying current knowledge. K_U01 Os1
Appplies basic statistical and bioinformatic methods to describe the results of the experiments. K_U02 Os1
Applies basic analytical techniques used to estimate the condition of the environment. K_U03 Os1
Is able to interpret the appropriate indexes describing the condition of the environment. K_U04 Os1
Evaluates causes of the endangerment of natural environment and diversity of microorganisms and is able to indicate the appropriate scientific methods and techniques, which ensure restoration of the microbial communities in the environment. K_U06 Os1, K_U10 Os1
Applies basic methods of collecting microbial samples from a different environments for microbiological and biochemical analyses allowing the estimation of condition microbial communities. K_U07 Os1
Is able to recognize and explain, using different scientific publications, basic problems in a natural resources management. K_U08 Os1
SOCIAL COMPETENCES
Feels responsibility for the safety during experiments in microbiological laboratory. K_K01 Os1
Feels the need of constant education and updating the knowledge concerning environmental microbiology necessary in the realization of professional projects in nature preservation. K_K02 Os1
Recognizes the necessity and feels the need of applying and respecting the rules of sustainable development in the everyday life and economy. K_K04 Os1
Exhibits the ability to work in a group as well as independently during experimental tasks and properly solves the work-related problems. K_K05 Os1
Assessment criteria
The student will receive laboratory credits if he/she:
1) attended at least 85% of the classes (acceptable no more than one absence during each part of laboratory);
2) was working during the classes in the way enabling positive evaluation of his knowledge, skills and social awareness gained during the classes (as described in learning outcomes).
Detailed conditions:
To receive lab credit the student should receive a minimum of 55% of the highest score of the two written tests (each contains open questions).
The course will be evaluated based on a written examination composed of open and closed questions. A score of 55% is required to pass the examination. A student must receive lab credit before he/she can take the exam
Bibliography
1) Madigan M.T., J.M. Martinko „Brock Biology of Microorganisms”, XI wydanie, Prentice Hall, 2006 and all next editions.
2) Wetzel R. Limnology. Lake and river ecosystems. Academic Press, 2001.
Additional information
Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: