LBIK10180U Applied Microbiology

The aim of the course is to give the students broad theoretical and practical skills in applied microbiology at an advanced level. During the course, the students will obtain hands-on experience with a number of classical as well as new cutting-edge techniques for characterization of microorganisms and for studying interactions between microorganisms. These  include: plate screening, PCR typing, fluorescent in situ hybridization, fluorescent marker gene technology, and quantitative PCR.

The following experimental areas of applied microbiology will be covered:
- Microbial bioprospecting and population analysis: Screening for enzyme or metabolite producers; genotyping of microorganisms and assessment of biodiversity of cultivated populations.
- Detection of specific microorganisms: Application of marker gene tagging and molecular methods to detect and enumerate specific microorganisms in complex environments.
-  Demonstration of activity of specific microorganisms: Methods to demonstrate metabolic activity or specific gene expression by microorganisms in complex environments.

Furthermore, the students will achieve theoretical knowledge on microorganisms related to environmental and biotechnological issues.

The following theoretical areas of applied microbiology will be covered:
- Extremophilic organisms: Strategies for life and metabolic adaptations of cells to extreme conditions. Applications of extremophilic microorganisms.
-  Microbial interactions in agriculture: Plant-microbe and microbe-microbe interactions such as microbiological control of plant pathogens by microorganisms producing antifungal secondary metabolites.
- Aquaculture microbiology: Biology of taste-and-odour producing bacteria in fish ponds and their impact on fish quality.