ECOLOGY AND MICROBE PHYSIOLOGY

Microbial biodiversity. Metabolic biodiversity. Role of microrganisms in the biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen, sulfur, carbon and phosphorus.
The carbon cycle: hydrolysis of organic polymers (lignin, cellulose, starch) in aerobiosis and anaerobiosis. Methanogensis, acetogenesis, methanotrophy in aerobiosis and anaerobiosis. Chemioautotrophy and photosynthesis.
The nitrogen cycle: nitrification, denitrification, nitrogen fixation. Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (ANAMMOX), applications, eco-physiology and biodiversity of ammonium oxidizing bacteria.
The phosphorus cycle : Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal by Poli-P bacteria
Sociomicrobiology: quorum sensing (biofilm etc)