Universidade Nova de Lisboa

Universidade Nova de Lisboa

Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia

Microbiology B

Code

3804

Academic unit

Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia

Department

Departamento de Ciências da Vida

Credits

6.0

Teacher in charge

José Paulo Nunes de Sousa Sampaio, Paula Maria Theriaga Mendes Bernardo Gonçalves

Weekly hours

4

Total hours

55

Teaching language

Português

Objectives

- Lectures: To comprehend the extent and relevance of microbial diversity in the broader context of biodiversity. To discover and study the different aspects of microbial diversity: molecular, cellular, morpho-physiological, metabolic, phylogenetic and ecological. To be able to integrate the different microbiological concepts and features studied into an all-embracing view of microbial biology.

- Lab sessions: To learn the basic laboratory techniques of microbiology: optical microscopy; microbial culture and aseptic technique; isolation of microorganisms.

Subject matter

Lectures: Unity and diversity of life on Earth; major groups of microorganisms and their importance. Microbial cell structure; prokaryotes: eubacteria and archaebacteria; comparison with microbial eukaryotes. Microbial nutrition and metabolism: diversity of biosynthetic (C & N) and bioenergetic processes and their classification; consequences of microbial metabolism. Classification and evolution of cellular organisms: historical perspective; current classification systems; molecular phylogenies; origin of the eukaryotic cell. Introductory Mycology: fungal classification; overview of morphological, physiological and metabolic characteristics; ecological and biotechnological impact of fungi. Introductory Bacteriology: bacterial taxonomy and major phylogenetic lineages of eubacteria and archaebacteria; overview of morphological, physiological and metabolic characteristics; ecological, clinical and biotechnological impact of bacteria.

 

Lab sessions: Basic microbiological techniques: preparation of culture media; sterilization; aseptic technique. Introduction to laboratory culture of microorganisms. Light microscopy: eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Microscopical examination of environmental samples (soil/water). Basic methods for the isolation of microorganisms:isolation of endospore-forming bacteria (Bacillus) from soil; isolation of yeasts from fermenting fruit.

Bibliography

- Lecture handouts and other learning support items posted in the course Moodle webpage.

- M.T. Madigan et al., “Brock Biology of Microorganisms”, 12thed., Pearson, 2009 (or other editions of the same book).

Teaching method

Teaching strategy involves 1.5 hour lectures and 3 hour lab sessions.

Courses