Ateneo - UPO

The course provides students with knowledge on the structure and function of microbial communities and in particular on the human gut microbiota. The main methodologies used in the study and analysis of the microbiota will be described

Suggested book: Jacques Izard and Maria Rivera “Metagenomics for Microbiology”

The course aims to teach the student the meaning and the importance of the metagenomics. Students will be provided with the tools for understanding the methodologies used in this discipline, from next generation sequencing (NGS) to bioinformatics analysis of data.

Basic knowledge of molecular biology and genetics.

Class lectures with PowerPoint projections

Learning control will be carried out through collegial discussion of the topics covered

Oral exam. The oral exam includes few questions on the main topics of the program and/or the discussion of scientific articles presented during the course. To pass the exam the student is required to know and understand the fundamental concepts of the subject and be able to explain them in an understandable and scientifically correct way.

Description of the main Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) platforms and format of the files of NGS data.
Introduction to metagenomics and metatranscriptomics and their potential applications on human physiopathology.
16S rRNA sequencing: applications, pro and cons.
Shotgun sequencing: applications, pro and cons.
Post-processing of de novo assembly genomes: quality controls and further analyses (metaproteomics).
Metatranscriptomics: analogies and differences compared to metagenomics (hints).
Hints on the principal tools for the analysis of metagenomics data

"Understanding" the importance of metagenomics to detect genetic and taxonomic diversity of microbial communities, in particular of the human gut microbiota and its possible implications on health. "Know" the techniques of high-throughput sequencing, those of data analysis and, in theory, be able to apply them.
"Communication skills": ability to expose the topics of the course in a clear and understandable way and with the use of appropriate scientific terminology.
"Learning skills": to deepen the knowledge of metagenomics on scientific publications, to follow the advancement of the discipline with a critical attitude.