Environmental Biochemistry and Microbiology

The course aims to provide the student with basic biochemistry and microbiology notions on the structure and function of key biomolecules in a living cell, together with the metabolic processes that allow the cell to extract energy from its surroundings to support its biological function, with an emphasis on the bacterial cell. In particular, the course will provide the student with an appreciation of how aspects (molecules and processes) from both disciplines are connected to environmental issues such as pollution and waste management, and how bacteria and biochemical reactions may be used in diverse ecological applications.

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.