Lectures will present laboratory activities and provide basic knowledge of methods (molecular and traditional) for analysing the genetics and functions of microorganisms in environmental samples.
During the laboratory activities, students will apply techniques for bacterial isolation and enrichment of specific microbial groups (e.g., Actinobacteria) from different environmental matrices (e.g., soil, plants). Metabolic/enzymatic assays of the isolated bacterial strains will be performed in order to identify bacteria producing antibiotics and specific enzyme activities (e.. amylase and urease) involved in biogeochemical cycles. Finally, analysis of the soil microbiota will be performed by DNA extraction and amplification of the 16S rRNA gene that will be cloned to construct libraries in E.coli. The clone libraries will be then analyzed by molecular methods to determine the different bacterial groups present in the soil sample.
During the laboratory activities, students will apply techniques for bacterial isolation and enrichment of specific microbial groups (e.g., Actinobacteria) from different environmental matrices (e.g., soil, plants). Metabolic/enzymatic assays of the isolated bacterial strains will be performed in order to identify bacteria producing antibiotics and specific enzyme activities (e.. amylase and urease) involved in biogeochemical cycles. Finally, analysis of the soil microbiota will be performed by DNA extraction and amplification of the 16S rRNA gene that will be cloned to construct libraries in E.coli. The clone libraries will be then analyzed by molecular methods to determine the different bacterial groups present in the soil sample.
- Docente: Martina Cappelletti