Microbiology (BI480/580; Fall and Spring)
We discuss advanced concepts and techniques used in microbiology. Addressed to senior
undergraduates and graduate students. The class is divided in three sections: (1) cell structure, function and regulation;
(2) microbial diversity and microbial ecology; and (3) Medical microbiology and microbial biotechnologies. Textbook: Madigan
et al., Brock Biology of microrganisms, ed.12.
Xenobiology
(BI410/BI510, Fall) We study key features of life also present in other
dynamic systems such as: fire, tornadoes, hurricanes, chemical automata, crystal growth, computer games, economy, society,
art, religion and GAIA. Xenobiology studies composition-independent properties of life and physical drivers of the origin
and evolution of life. The goal of Xenobiolgoy is to understand and simulate life's origin. Textbooks: Popa, 2010, Introduction
to Xenobiology ... (Fountainhead Press); Popa 2004, Between necessity and probability ... (Springer-Verlag).
Microbial Diversity (BI410/BI510; Summer) We discuss: Microbial phylogeny; Diversity cell structures; Diversity of Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya,
Viruses and Prions; Metabolic diversity; Chemotaxonomy; Biominerals; Molecular diversity; Methods to measure diversity. Textbook: Madigan et al., Brock Biology of microrganisms, eds. 11 or 12.
Microbiology Lab (BI235; Fall, Winter and Summer) Introduces
basic techiques of microbiology to begginers. Most students are: biology majors, pre-nursing, pre-med and pre-dental students.
Includes: manipulation and isolation of microbes, types of cultures, staining techniques, microscopy and physiological assays.
This lab is a pre-requisite for the the Advanced micro lab (BI488/588). Textbook: Boone and Popa, 2009, Basic techniques in
microbiology laboratories (Fountainhead Press).
Advanced
Techniques in Microbiology Lab (BI488/588; Fall and Spring) Addressed to upper
undergraduates and graduate students. This lab is constructed in a research and discovery
format. Content: molecular staining of microbes, identification of microbes by PCR with specific primers, molecular fingerprinting,
genetic manipulation of bacteria. BI235 is pre-required to take this lab. Textbook: Boone and Popa, 2010, Molecular techniques in microbiology laboratories (Fountainhead Press).
