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of Microbiology for students of Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences

University of Palermo, Faculty of Pharmacy
DEGREE IN APPLIED PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
Program of General Microbiology and Biotechnology Applications Academic Year 2008/2009


brief history of microbiology, microbial diversity and classification of Woese. Microorganisms
prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Structural and functional characteristics of bacterial cell morphology, size, cell wall in Gram positive and Gram-negative peptidoglycan, outer membrane, lipopolysaccharide. Cell membrane in bacteria and archaea. Accessory structures of the cell bacterial flagella, pili, capsule, extracellular polymeric substances.
chemical and physical factors affecting the growth of bacterial growth curve of a bacterial population, quantitative measurement of microbial growth.
bacterial spores and the process of sporulation.
metabolism of prokaryotes: energy production and biosynthesis. Main metabolic models. Metabolic versatility and features in prokaryotes. Peptidoglycan synthesis.
Principles of microbial genetics: information flow genetics and genome organization in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Plasmids and main processes of horizontal gene transfer. Control of gene expression: structure and function of 'lactose operon of' tryptophan operon, quorum-sensing sigma factors and two-component systems. General

virus: biological characteristics, structural and replication cycle of bacterial viruses and animal viruses. General information on viral diseases.
host-microorganism ratio: symbiotic associations, microbiota, probiotics, pathogenic action of microorganisms, virulence factors, nonspecific defense mechanisms and immune system. Infections caused by bacterial biofilms. Features fungal cell and the general fungal infections. Main classes of antifungal drugs.
Antibiotics: producing organisms and general characteristics. Mechanisms of action of major classes of antibiotics. Methods of assessing the activity of antibiotics: MIC susceptibility testing. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics: biochemical mechanisms and genetic basis.

biotech Applications:
Definition of biotechnology. Traditional biotechnology: microbial metabolism and the production of common foods (bread, cheese, yogurt, wine, beer). Microbial metabolism and biofuels. Biotechnology and Recombinant DNA: key materials and methods used. Biotechnological applications: proteins for human vaccines, the search for new antibiotics, genetically modified plants, gene therapy. Considerations for Biotechnology.