Entry requirements

120 credits inclusive Mikrobiology and 5 credits on advanced level. Completed Macromolecular Machines.

Learning outcomes

This course focuses on regulatory mechanisms that microbes - primarily bacteria - employ in

responses to physiological or environmental changes.

After attending this course, the student should be able to

• understand the special conditions of life of importance for bacteria
• understand, in general and in mechanistic detail, how the adaptations of microbes to

  changed internal and external environments result from adaptive responses

• understand and explain in detail how regulatory mechanisms work at the

  transcriptional and post-transcriptional level

• have a good insight into the relationships between environmental signalling, molecular

  mechanisms of gene regulation, and physiological responses at a cellular or population level

• understand the importance of extrachromosomal elements for gene flow and the

  acquisition of new traits

• understand the special properties of plasmids, in particular concerning stable

  maintenance and replication control

• have a good insight into the increasing significance of RNA-mediated control of gene

  expression and its mechanisms of action

• understand primary publications, in general and in specific detail, and develop the

  skills to summarise, discuss, and critically analyse their content and evaluate their

  conclusions

• analyse critically, interpret and evaluate, and summarise obtained experimental

  results

Content

This course is mainly focused on mechanisms of gene expression that form the basis for

adaptive responses in bacteria. In this course the following questions will be addressed.

Overview of and deeper insights into the particular life conditions that are relevant for

bacteria. Focus on conditions such as starvation, bacterial stress, differentiation processes and

virulence. Understanding how changes in the internal and external environment determine

phenotypic changes. In-depth analysis and understanding of connections between signals that

are received by bacteria and regulation of gene expression that is required to meet

physiological requirements and to mount adaptive responses. Levels of gene regulation:

trancriptional regulation (DNA level) by activator and repressor proteins, post-transcriptional

regulation at the mRNA level, with emphasis on regulatory RNAs and cis-acting RNA

elements (riboswitches). Bacterial differentiation - sporulation. Bacterial communication -

quorum sensing. Gene transfer between bacteria, the horizontal gene pool, plasmids and other

extrachromosomal elements. RNA-based acquired immunity against invading DNA in

bacteria and archea (CRISPR/cas).

Practical lab work will be based on recent research in the subject area.

Instruction

Teaching comprises lectures, seminars, lab practicals and site visits. Participation in seminars, lab practicals and lectures

connected to them, is compulsory.

Assessment

Written examination (3 credits), seminars (1 credit), laboratory practicals (1 credit).