Duration
20h Th, 10h Pr
Number of credits
| Bachelor in biology | 3 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
General properties of prokaryotes, essential structures of the bacterial cell and major difference between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
Accessory structures of the bacterial cell and their role: flagellum, pilus and fimbriae, bacterial capsule and other external layers, plasmids.
The bacterial cell wall; structure, function and biosynthesis of peptidoglycan.
Bacterial growth and metabolism. Cellular division in prokaryotes. The growth curve. Energy sources and biosynthesis of essential metabolites. Diauxic growth. Environmental factors relevant to bacterial growth and adaptation.
The control of bacterial growth, methods and applications.
Antibacterial agents. Antibiotic resistance, implications and mechanisms (genetics and biochemistry of resistance). Difference between commensal, opportunistic and pathogenic bacteria, the mechanisms underlying bacterial infections and pathogenicity.
Bacteria and environment: importance and contribution of bacteria to geochemical cycles, nitrogen-fixing species, examples of bacterial phytopathogens, Agrobacterium tumefaciens and GMOs, extremophiles.
Introduction to bacterial genetics and practical applications (microbial biotechnologies).
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
This course aims at consolidating the student's knowledge of biology and diversity of prokaryotes, as well as their importance in the environment, the agro-food industry, human health and microbial biotechnologies.
The student will also acquire detailed knowledge of the molecular aspects related to the structure and function of essential and accessory structures of the bacterial cell, the diversity of metabolism, and the interaction of bacteria with other biological entities (plants, human beings).
Considering the importance of bacteria in various fields of scientific research, the methods underlying their study and their manipulation in the laboratory will be described during both the lectures (metabolism and its control, environmental factors and molecular adaptations, cultivation in the laboratory and the control of bacterial growth, antibacterial agents, genetic engineering) and the practical sessions, during which the student will have the opportunity to consolidate his/her knowledge of these aspects.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Course "Introduction à la Microbiologie" (MICR0719). Basic knowledge of general and cellular biology and of chemical biology.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Lectures ex cathedra (20 hours). Remote teaching could be implemented in relation to the evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic or other necessities.
The practical sessions (10 hours) will be organized in the laboratories of the Institute of Botany (B22). Students (groups of 2) will carry out various experiments each illustrating a specific aspect of the course, also allowing a better understanding of and acquaintance with the basic methodologies specific to bacteriology (aseptic manipulation, ecc.).
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Blended learning
Additional information:
See "Planned learning activities and teaching methods" for details.
Recommended or required readings
Mandatory readings: the slides used during the lectures (as well as other relevant material, including e. g. podcasts) will be available on the University e-learning platform.
Recommended readings: the following textbooks, available at the University libraries, could be used as an additional support for the study of the course. Chapters corresponding to the different parts of the course will be clearly indicated in the provided slides.
- Brock Biologie des micro-organismes, Madigan & Martinko, Pearson (ISBN, 9782744058400) ;
- Microbiologie, Prescott, Willey, Sherwood, Woolverton ; De Boeck Supérieur (ISBN, 9782807308022).
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )
- Remote
oral exam
Additional information:
Written exam in January and September, combining both multiple choice questions and open questions (depending on the evolution of the COVID-19 epidemiological situation, this exam could be converted to a remote oral examination).
The students will provide a laboratory report at the end of the practical sessions, whose evaluation will contribute 20% of the final rating.
Work placement(s)
None.
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
The presence at the practical sessions is MANDATORY.
Students are required to wear a laboratory coat and other personal protection equipment (PPE) during the practical sessions. Access to the laboratory will be refused to incompliant student.