MICROBIAL BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

16:681:520:01

Welcome to Microbial Biochemistry and Molecular Biology!

The prerequisites for this course include general microbiology (681:501 or equivalent) and general biochemistry (115:511,512 or equivalent); undergraduate equivalents are satisfactory. The introductory course, Microbial Physiology and Metabolism (681:521), is a recommended prerequisite.

This course will focus on selected topics of current and general interest, and will involve a lecture/review format of assigned readings and group discussion of reviews of current research. Relevant background information will be discussed in detail during the class when a review paper is assigned; the following class will include a class discussion of the assigned reading.

An outline of the course requirements, a general statement about microbial cell growth, and a listing of potential paper topics will be handed out.

The text used for primary background information is Albert Moat, John Foster and Michael Spector, "Microbial Physiology", Fourth Edition, John Wiley and Sons, 2002. The book is available at the Student Co-op Store, Inc. on the Cook/Douglass campus at Nichol Avenue and Lipman Drive.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS -

Two papers of nearly equal weight (90% of grade):

1. Two separate papers on different topics which focus on microbial biochemistry and molecular biology with a major emphasis on biochemical and molecular characterization. (40%)

2. Seek originality in topic objective and the written presentation. Attempt to provide your own interpretation and analysis of the data and results utilized. Include real scientific data and results to support your discussion and conclusions. Avoid plagerism! (30%)

3. Format your papers according to a journal (e.q. American Society for Microbiology) style of your choice and use the same format for both papers. A modified format would include an abstract, a brief introduction, minimal methodology, results, discussion, and a conclusion section that would summarize the most essential points and give a personal perspective about the future of the research in progress. (10%)

4. A bibliography should be included and it should be reasonably current (75% of the references within the last ten years). Give complete references. References should be listed in alphabetical order for all authors first, and then by date secondarily for repeated authors. Utilize primary references only. Use reviews to focus topic and identify primary references. (5%)

5. Select a journal style format for correct citation entries for primary reference material, including quotes and data (i.e. tables and figures). Avoid plagerism! (5%)

6. The written work must be grammatically correct and without typographical and spelling errors. Use proper Greek letters and sub- and superscripts. (5%)

7. The length of each paper should be a minimum of 10 and 15 double-spaced pages, respectively, for the two papers including the abstract, main body (introduction, methods, data, results, discussion, and conclusion), and bibliography. This page count excludes the title page. (5%)

Class participation (10% of grade):

Regular attendence and oral discussion is expected from all class registrants attending the class discussions and lectures. Excessive absences will result in grade reduction. Topic readings will be assigned for class review.

Topics that may be covered during the semester:

Peptidoglycans and teichoic acids, Peptidoglycan composition of Escherichia coli, Organs of locomotion, Chemotaxis and motility regulation, Outermembrane proteins and protein trafficking; Solute-binding proteins, Lipopolysaccharide synthesis, Endo/exotoxin production, Lipid metabolism/membrane structure, Regulation of fatty acid synthesis, Membrane transport, PEP-PTS vs. active transport systems, Cellulose metabolism, Hydrocarbon metabolism, Aromatic and polycyclic hydrocarbons, Iron uptake and metabolism; siderophore synthesis, Heavy metal resistance, Energy-generating systems, Halophilic respiration, Metabolic inhibitors, Multidrug resistance pumps, Methanogenesis and methylotrophy, Bioenergetics of the Archaea, Host-parasite interactions.