Environmental Biochemistry and Microbiology

The course aims to train the student on the structure, function and interaction of biomolecules, with particular reference to: i) metabolic processes and their regulation mechanisms; ii) information translation mechanisms, from informational molecules to cellular functions; iii) modalities of degradation of complex molecules and energy generation.

At the end of the course the student will know: i) the general bases of bacterial biochemistry that will be used to understand concepts related to higher cellular mechanisms, ii) the principles relating to the engineering of microorganisms for industrial or bioremediation purposes, ii) the principles related to symbioses and interactions between organisms.
The course will allow the student to acquire competences related to various methodologies and basic instrumentations for biochemical analysis relating to biochemical techniques for monitoring environmental pollutants, energy production and bioremediation.