Content (Syllabus outline)

Short history of microbiology in extreme environments, biodiversity of extremophilic microorganisms, their biotechnological importance and potential. Study of extremophilic microorganisms using various microscopic, biochemical and molecular techniques. Presentation of major groups of Archaea, Bacteria, Fungi and viruses, inhabiting hypersaline environments, environments with high concentrations of sugars, cold, hot, acidic, alkaline environments and oligotrophic environments. The adaptation of model extremophilic microorganisms on the level of cell morphology and organization, functional differences in the adaptations to extreme conditions between prokaryotic and eukayotic extremophilic microorganisms. Classification and phylogeny of extremophilic microorganisms. Microbial growth: physicochemical growth requirements for cultivation of extremophilic microorganisms (high/low pH, high hydrostatic pressure, high/low temperature, high salinity, low water activity, oligotrophic conditions), media (chemically defined, complex, differential), methods of cultivation (selection, non-culturable microorganisms), genetically stable preservation of extremophilic microorganisms. Microbial ecology: growth and population dynamics of extremophilic microorganisms in the environment, biogeochemical role of extremophilic microorganisms in nature,  basic ecological methods in microbiology, molecular biology and biochemical techniques for the detection of microorganisms in the environment. Biotechnological potential – extremozymes, compatible solutes, transgenic plants... The laboratory exercises will illustrate topics presented at class lectures

Prerequisites

Enrolment in  the 1st or 2nd year of Microbiology MSc program.

Passing grade in seminar and laboratory course to enter the final written exam.