ABOUT THE COURSE:To introduce students to the diversity of microbial world, classification of microorganisms (MOs), and various molecular biology techniques useful in characterizing and classifying MOs. To teach the students about the physiology, structure, nutrition, and growth kinetics of different MOs and the methods for culturing bacteria and different types of bacterial cultures with their characteristic growth kinetics. To teach about the various aspects, including microbial pathogenesis, the ecological roles of MOs, and various symbiotic associations of MOs with other organisms. The types and formulation of media, sterilization systems, and optimization of bioprocesses will be taught. The adjustment of conditions to suit the production of primary and secondary metabolites, and the downstream processing of products is also included.INTENDED AUDIENCE: Students of PG Biotechnology/Biochemistry/Microbiology/Molecular Biology), UG Biotechnology, Ph.Ds Biotechnology/ Biochemistry/ MicrobiologyPREREQUISITES: Basic Biology background at XII / UG levelINDUSTRY SUPPORT :Pharma Industries and Food ndustries

Syllabus

Week 1

History of Microbiology: Theory of spontaneous generation, Experiments of Pasteur and Tyndall, Koch's Postulates
Microbial Diversity & Systematics Classical and modern methods and concepts
Domain and Kingdom concepts in classification of microorganisms

Week 2

Criteria for classification; Classification of Bacteria according to Bergey's manual
Molecular methods such as Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE); Temperature Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (TGGE); Amplified rDNA Restriction Analysis and Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (T-RFLP)
6S rRNA sequencing and Ribosomal Database Project

Week 3

Microbial growth: Growth cycle of bacteria, synchronous growth.
Culture and its characteristics; pure culture, mixed culture; media and its types; Batch culture; fed- batch; continuous kinetics.
significance of quantitative measurement

Week 4

Methods of growth estimation; direct microscopic count; electronic enumeration method, viable count through CFU method; membrane filter count; turbidimetric method.
Extremophiles
Microbial Interactions and Infection

Week 5

Ultrastructure of Archaea (Methanococcus); Eubacteria (E. coli); Unicellular Eukaryotes (Yeast)
Types of Viruses, structure and life cycle

Week 6

Host—Pathogen interactions; pathogenicity and virulence; Microbial adherence; type of microbial penetration
Microbial virulence factors; exotoxins and endotoxins

Week 7

Pathogenicity islands and their role in bacterial virulence
Horizontal gene transfer; Conjugation, transformation, transduction

Week 8

Microbes and Environment Role of microorganisms in natural system
Influence of Microbes on the Earth's Environment and Inhabitants
Microbial communication system; Quorum sensing
Prebiotics and Probiotics

Week 9

Industrial Applications Basic principles in bioprocess technology
Media Formulation; Sterilization; Thermal death kinetics; Batch and continuous sterilization systems
Primary and secondary metabolites

Week 10

Extracellular enzymes; Biotechnologically important intracellular products; exopolymers
Bioprocess control and monitoring variables such as temperature; agitation; pressure

Week 11