3 ECTS credits
90 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 1010274BNR for all students in the 1st semester at a (B) Bachelor - advanced level.
In this course the theoretical principles and concepts of microbiology and gene technology will be practically applied. Students will be familiarized with molecular-biological experimental techniques and research methods that are commonly implemented in a biotechnological research environment. Microbial diversity will be investigated by isolating microorganisms from environmental samples. Identification and characterization of these isolates will be done by a typical phylogenetic analysis by 16S rRNA sequencing, complemented with phenotypic analysis methods (microscopy, Gram staining, analysis of metabolic characteristics, catalase and oxidase test and analysis of the production of antimicrobial compounds, quorum sensing signaling molecules and siderophores). The study of microbial growth will be illustrated by quantitative growth experiments (in liquid culture and by plating). In another experiment we will connect microbial physiology with gene technology by performing a transposon mutagenesis experiment in Pseudomonas: here, a mutant library will be constructed and screened for siderophore-negative mutants. Selected mutants will be analyzed by PCR methods and sequence analysis to identify the disrupted gene in the genome. Finally, all steps will be followed in a molecular cloning experiment, starting from the design of oligonucleotide primer sequences, DNA-extraction and electrophoresis methods and transformation in Escherichia coli. Throughout the different course sections, students will also be introduced to basic bio-informatic tools that are used for sequence analysis.
Attendance is required for all practical sessions.
Students can explain and justify the different experimental steps in a biotechnological research project (such as molecular cloning or identification of a microbial strain).
Students can execute techniques that are inherent to molecular-biological and microbial research experiments (e.g. aseptic techniques and pipetting).
Students can interpret and explain results of microbial and gene-technological experiments in the framework of microbial fysiology and genetics.
Students can perform a sequence analysis by using basic bio-informatic tools.
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
PRAC Presentation determines 50% of the final mark.
PRAC Practical Assignment determines 30% of the final mark.
PRAC Report determines 20% of the final mark.
Within the PRAC Presentation category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the PRAC Practical Assignment category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the PRAC Report category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Not applicable.
This course offer isn't part of a fixed set of graduation requirements. Hence, it is a free elective.