Environmental Biochemistry and Microbiology

At the end of the Biochemistry course, the student will be able to describe:
-the four main biomolecule classes that constitute the cell (nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids)
- the main interactions that govern biomolecular interactions, bioenergetics and acid-base concepts and pH.
- the four levels of protein structural organization
- the general properties of enzymes, key catalytic mechanisms and modes of regulation (inhibition and activation).
- Carbohydrates and oxidative metabolism (glycolysis and the Kreb's Cycle) and fermentation processes.
- How the cell converts reducing energy into chemical energy (ATP) via oxidative phosphorylation
- Photosynthesis
- Biochemical techniques for studying DNA and proteins

When possible, each topic will be linked to environmental aspects.

At the end of the Environmental Microbiology course, the student will know how to describe:
- The structure and function of prokaryotic cells:
· Cell membrane and cell wall
· Bacterial DNA: genome, plasmids and horizontal gene transfer
· Transcription and examples of mechanisms controlling gene expression (nutrient-based regulation, quorum sensing)
- Microorganisms in the environment:
· Bacterial biofilms
· Energy metabolism and brief overview of biogeochemical cycles (carbon and nitrogen)
· Molecular taxonomy, overview of Next generation sequencing techniques and metagenomics for studying microbial communities in the environment.
· Interactions between microorganisms, plants, and animals: symbiosis
· Examples of applied environmental microbiology: bioremediation

All topics will be treated, whenever possible, in an environmental perspective.