MICROBIOLOGICAL METHODS
cod. 1005850

Academic year 2019/20
3° year of course - Second semester
Professor
Academic discipline
Microbiologia agraria (AGR/16)
Field
A scelta dello studente
Type of training activity
Student's choice
44 hours
of face-to-face activities
3 credits
hub:
course unit
in ITALIAN

Learning objectives

The aim of the course is to provide the tools necessary to deepen the knowledge about the microbiological analysis in food. During the course the student will acquire extensive knowledge on classic and innovative microbiological techniques used in phenotypic and genotypic studies of food isolates. Knowledge of these aspects will provide essential skills to manage the microbiological analysis and to understand which protocol apply, depending on the purpose of analysis.

Prerequisites

None.

Course unit content

The first part of the course will focus on the design and the choice of experimental protocols for study the microbial population in food. In this context, will be acquired the potential application of cultures dependent techniques and culture independent techniques. Different cases reported in the literature will be studied to better understand microbiological techniques application.The second part of the course will be about the different protocol for taxonomic identification of isolates. Moreover different approaches to study the genotypic and phenotypic biodiversity will be acquired.

Full programme

Lessons on the design and the choice of experimental protocols for study the microbial population in food. Food microbiological analysis by the application of cultures dependent and cultures independent techniques: study of microbial species, biotypes and genotypes present in food matrix. Isolation protocols. Taxonomic identification of isolates. Microbiological techniques for the analysis of intra-species heterogeneity by study of phenotypic and genotypic characters.

Bibliography

Vaughan A., Buzzini P., Clementi F. Laboratorio didattico di microbiologia. Casa Editrice ambrosiana 2008. Galli Volonterio. Microbiologia degli alimenti. Casa Editrice ambrosiana 2005. Lessons' slides

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons will be carried out with the help of slides that represent educational material for students. Slides will be available on line. During the course, some lessons will be devoted to student presentation and discussion of "study cases useful to understand the application of different techniques for food microbiological analysis. The course will provide for practical experience in microbiological laboratory. Lessons frequency is strongly encouraged. Lab experiments are mandatory: the student will be admitted to the final examination only if he/she has attended all the lab experiments, eventually without one justified absence.

Assessment methods and criteria

Specific lessons aimed to assessing the state of learning will be carried out at the end of each part of the course. Final examination will be carried out by a written examination with 31 closed questions. The student should be able to posses specific knowledge and competences to pass the exam . Each right answer will be evaluated with 1.5 points. The final vote will be obtained from the sum of the points reached within the 31 questions.

Other information

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