3 ECTS credits
80 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4012687ENR for all students in the 1st semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.
In this course, students will gain deeper insights into the sensing and regulatory mechanisms that enable microorganisms to respond to changes in cell physiology and in the environment. These principles are looked at from the point of signal reception and transduction, down to the level of the resulting transcriptional, post-transcriptional and post-translational responses and finally to the changes in cellular physiology. Molecular mechanisms will be studied across different phylogenetic lineages (grampositive and gramnegative bacteria, archaea, eukaryal microorganisms). The course is divided into two partims: "Molecular regulation in microbial cells” (Prof. Dr. Ir. Eveline Peeters) and "Microbial physiology” (Prof. Dr. Han Remaut). In the first partim, the following topics will be discussed: transcription factors, two-component and phosphorelay signal transduction, alternative sigma factors, small regulatory RNAs, chemotaxis, quorum sensing and biofilm formation. In the second partim, the following topics are included: cell division, cell polarity, the bacterial cytoskeleton, bacterial defense/offense mechanisms, protein folding, thiol redox pathways and unfolded protein response. Throughout the course, students will gain an overview of the main research methodologies used in typical molecular microbiology studies, such that they can workout experimental approaches to test and validate research hypotheses.
Students need to pass for both partims in order to pass for the course. In case a score < 10/20 is obtained for one of the two partims and the average score is > 10/20, the final score corresponds to the lowest partim score. However, students obtain an exemption for every partim with a score > 10/20 and will only need to retake the failed partim exam(s).
Students can explain the molecular mechanisms and principles of (complex) regulatory responses and physiological processes in microbial cells.
Students can describe research methodologies used in molecular microbiology and can propose experimental approaches to test and validate research hypotheses.
Students can critically analyze original research papers in the field of molecular microbiology and can formulate the major research hypothesis, significance and key conclusions from each of these papers.
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 100% of the final mark.
Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Not applicable.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Bioengineering Sciences: Cell and Gene Biotechnology: Medical Biotechnology (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Bioengineering Sciences: Cell and Gene Biotechnology: Molecular Biotechnology (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Bioengineering Sciences: Cell and Gene Biotechnology: Agrobiotechnology (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Bioengineering Sciences: Chemistry and Bioprocess Technology: Food Biotechnology (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Bioengineering Sciences: Chemistry and Bioprocess Technology: Chemical Biotechnology (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Bioengineering Sciences: Chemistry and Bioprocess Technology: Biochemical Biotechnology (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Molecular Biology: Standaard traject
Master of Biology: Education (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Biology: Molecular and Cellular Life sciences
Master of Biology: Ecology and Biodiversity
Master of Teaching in Science and Technology: biologie (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)