3 ECTS credits
75 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4024398ENR for all students in the 1st semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.

Semester
1st semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Enrollment Requirements
Enrolling in ‘Advanced Molecular Microbiology’ means that you simultaneously follow 'Molecular Microbiology' or have successfully passed ‘Molecular Microbiology'.
Taught in
English
Faculty
Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences
Department
Bio-Engineering Sciences
Educational team
Eveline Peeters
Han Karel Remaut (course titular)
Activities and contact hours
10 contact hours Lecture
32 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
Course Content

In this elective, students will gain advanced insights into the working of microbial cells and the molecular strategies, sensing and regulatory mechanisms that enable microorganisms to respond to changes in cell physiology and in the environment, including parasitic and commensal interactions with eukaryotic cells. The course builds on the fundamental concepts taught in the course Molecular Microbiology (4012687ENR) and adds a theoretical module “Cellular microbiology” and a practical session.  

In the module on cellular microbiology, following topics will be discussed: molecular and cellular biology of prokaryote-eukaryote interactions, virulence factors of plant and animal pathogens, host defense mechanisms and diversity and evolution of pathogens, and the genetic and biochemical methods to study these phenomena. Throughout the course, students will gain an overview of the main research methodologies used in typical molecular microbiology studies, such that they can work out experimental approaches to test and validate research hypotheses, and can critically read and assess the advanced scientific literature in the field. Students will be introduced to biosafety aspects with regards to working with transgenic and pathogenic organisms. During the WPO sessions, students will perform typical molecular-microbiological research techniques in the context of ongoing research in one of the microbiology-oriented research laboratories (e.g. gene expression analysis by means of qRT-PCR and Western Blotting, gene reporter assays, microscopy, genetic and biochemical approaches to pathway discovery, phenotypic characterization of loss or gain of function mutants …). 

Course material
Digital course material (Required) : Handouts of powerpoint slides as well as recent research papers are provided
Additional info

n.a.

Learning Outcomes

General competencies

After completing this course, students will be able to:

  • explain the molecular mechanisms and principles of (complex) regulatory responses and physiological processes in microbial cells, as well as of interactions with other organisms.
  • describe research methodologies used in molecular microbiology and can propose experimental approaches to test and validate research hypotheses.
  • critically analyze original research papers in the field of molecular microbiology and can formulate the major research hypothesis, significance and key conclusions from each of these papers.
  • present research results within the field of molecular microbiology under the form of a poster presentation.
  • view molecular pathways, mechanisms and components as modular units that can be used in biotechnology and synthetic biology. 

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 40% of the final mark.
Practical Exam determines 60% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Oral Exam with a relative weight of 40 which comprises 40% of the final mark.

Within the Practical Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Practical Exam with a relative weight of 60 which comprises 60% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

n.a.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Molecular Biology: Standaard traject