Ateneo - UPO

The course is focused on the study of environmental bacteria in their context. Bacteria from different matrices will be analyzed: soil, water and food.

- Atlas. Handbook media for environmental microbiology
- Microbiologia agroambientale (CEA edizioni)
-Laboratory protocols provided by the teacher
- Courses slide
- Scientific paper and review

The course aims to provide the student the ability to use the main laboratory methods for the study and analysis of environmental bacteria.

The student must have the basic knowledge of microbiology and safety in the laboratory

The lessons will take place in the laboratory with the help of scientific articles, protocols and slides.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services- students-physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The exam includes the presentation of a paper / report on the activity and on the results obtained during the laboratory experiences an oral test. The oral exam consists of a first part in which the activity carried out in the laboratory is discussed and a second part in which the student is asked some questions on the main topics covered during the course. To pass the test, the student must demonstrate that they know and understand the fundamental concepts and be able to explain in a clear and understandable way. To achieve sufficiency it is necessary to know the basic techniques used in microbiology laboratories and to be able to demonstrate that they have acquired the main methods used in a laboratory.
To achieve a high grade, the student must demonstrate an autonomy of judgment and a critical sense of the topics covered, expressing their conclusions in a clear and logical way.
The evaluation is expressed out of thirty (minimum grade 18).

Introduction to the laboratory: preparation of the material and different sterilization methods (autoclave, sterifiltration), use of biological hoods. Outline of environmental legislation and soil microbiological sampling. Extraction and isolation of soil bacteria and counting of CFU / g at three and seven days. Extraction of nitrogen-fixing bacteria on specific soil starting from the rhizosphere. Study of cell morphology and colony of isolated bacteria. Physiological activities of isolated bacteria: solubilization of phosphate in various forms and of potassium. Screening for the production of hydrolytic enzymes from isolated bacteria: protease, cellulase, amylase. Fluorescein diacetate (FDA). Identification of isolated bacteria. Microbiological analysis of water. Microbiological control in food: standards and analytical methods. Detection of lactic acid bacteria in yoghurt.

Acquisition of the basic knowledge of the environmental microbiological laboratory and knowledge of the main techniques and their applications in the study of environmental bacteria. Acquisition of the skills to work in the laboratory independently and / or in working groups. Ability to interpret and implement scientific protocols.