All programmes > Microbial Physiology

Microbial Physiology (B-KUL-I0I22A)

5 ECTSEnglish48 First termCannot be taken as part of an examination contract
Michiels Jan (coordinator) |  Michiels Jan |  Steenackers Hans
POC Bio-ingenieurswetenschappen

Aims

Students are able to describe the physiology of microbial cells and its regulation, cellular differentiation processes and behavior of microorganisms as members of complex communities, and relate the different aspects to each other.

The students are able to describe the structure and function of bio-macromolecules and complexes involved in processes that take place at the level of microbial membranes and relate them to each other and to the level of the functioning of cells.

The students are able to describe the cellular and molecular basis of the interactions between microorganisms mutually, between microorganisms and higher organisms, and between microorganisms and their environment.

Previous knowledge

Knowledge of these topics is required in order to start this course:

  • Genetics (Bachelor’s level)
  • Biochemistry (Bachelor’s level)
  • Microbiology (Bachelor’s level)

 

Knowledge of these topics is an advantage:

  • Molecular cell biology
  • Biomolecular technology and analysis

Identical courses

This course is identical to the following courses:
I0P48A : Microbiële fysiologie (No longer offered this academic year)

Is included in these courses of study

Activities

4 ects. Microbial Physiology (B-KUL-I0I22a)

4 ECTSEnglishFormat: Lecture33 First term
Michiels Jan |  Steenackers Hans
POC Bio-ingenieurswetenschappen

Content

1) Global regulatory networks in micro-organisms in connection with nutrition and stress (stringent response, catabolite repression, heat shock response, pH-stress, osmotic stress, protein folding and proteolysis, ...)

2) Structure and functioning of microbial transport systems of bio-molecules (protein secretion systems, receptors, ABC-transporters, cellular casing, ...)

3) Morphological differentiation (cell cycle, sporulation, quorum sensing, biofilms, ...)

4) Molecular mechanisms, ecology and evolution of (i) beneficiary and pathogenic microbe-host interactions and (ii) cooperative and competitive microbe-microbe interactions and (ii) cooperative and competitive microbe-microbe interactions

Course material

- Course: Slides Microbial physiology through Toledo
- Optional reference work: Molecular Genetics of Bacteria, Snyder and Champness, Washington DC: ASM Press

1 ects. Microbial Physiology: Exercises (B-KUL-I0J30a)

1 ECTSEnglishFormat: Practical15 First term
Steenackers Hans
POC Bio-ingenieurswetenschappen

Content

Molecular mechanisms, ecology and evolution of (i) beneficiary and pathogenic microbe-host interactions and (ii) cooperative and competitive microbe-microbe interactions: exercises, project and discussions

 

Course material

Course: Slides Microbial physiology through Toledo

Evaluation

Evaluation: Microbial Physiology (B-KUL-I2I22a)

Type : Partial or continuous assessment with (final) exam during the examination period
Description of evaluation : Written, Paper/Project, Participation during contact hours
Type of questions : Open questions, Closed questions
Learning material : Course material

Explanation


The assessment consists of a combination of (i) an exam during the examination period and  (ii) continuous assessment.

The exam during the examination period is a written, closed book exam. This part counts for 80% of the grade and will be divided in two parts: the part of Professor Michiels (50%) and that of Professor Steenackers (30%).

The continuous assessment (Professor Steenacker’s part) is based on written or oral partial exams, project work and participation during the contact hours. This part will count for 20% of the grade.

The final scoring is as follows: 50 % on Professor Michiels’s part and 50% on Professor Steenacker’s part.

All parts of the evaluation are mandatory. A student who does not participate during the continuous assessment, except for valid reasons timely communicated to Professor Steenackers, will be excluded for the exam and the retake.

Information about retaking exams

The continuous assessment cannot be repeated during the third examination period. The grades for this part will therefore be transferred to the third examination period.

 

The written exam can be retaken, provided that the student did not score an ‘NA’ on the continuous assessment.