Metabolic processes

Course unit title

Scientific direction

Scientific code

Faculty

Department (s)

Metabolic processes

Biology N 010

Life Sciences Center

Institute of Biosciences

Mode of studies

Number of credits

Mode of studies

Number of credits

Lectures

0

Consultations

3

Self-studies

4

Seminars

0

Aims of course

The objective of the course is to deepen PhD students‘ knowledge of metabolic processes of prokaryotes, diversity, biochemistry, genetics, molecular control mechanisms, and evolution of these processes.

Main topics

Classification of the types of metabolism of prokaryotes. Metabolism of C1 compounds: methanogenesis, methanotrophy. Phototrophy and photosynthesis. Aerobic and anaerobic chemoorganotrophy. Sugar and amino acid fermentation. Energy metabolism in prokaryotes: microbial nitrogen, sulfur, and hydrogen metabolism. Energy metabolism of metals and metalloids. Quorum sensing systems of prokaryotes. Signal transducing systems for interspecies communication. The stringent response in prokaryotes. The phenomenon of the stationary phase. Interspecies metabolic processes: syntrophy. Electron transfer mechanisms in syntrophy. Main biosynthetic reactions. Diversity of autotrophic carbon fixation pathways. Diazotrophy. Regulatory mechanisms of metabolic pathways. Energy taxis in prokaryotes. Two-component signal transduction systems. Carbon catabolite repression in bacteria. Electron confurcation and bifurcation. The role of regulatory small non-coding RNAs in the regulation of metabolic processes. Global regulation of metabolism at the level of transcription. The global regulatory proteins. Global regulation of carbon and energy metabolism. Global regulation of nitrogen metabolism. Global coordination of carbon and nitrogen metabolism. Global regulatory metabolites in the regulation of microbial metabolism.

Main literature

Madigan M.T., Bender K.S., Buckley D.H., Sattley W.M., Stahl D.A. (2020) Brock Biology of Microorganisms, 16th Edition. Boston: Pearson.

Annual Review of Microbiology Annual Review of Microbiology | Home (annualreviews.org)

FEMS Microbiology Reviews FEMS Microbiology Reviews | Oxford Academic (oup.com)

Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews Home | Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews (asm.org)

Nature Reviews Microbiology Nature Reviews Microbiology

Assessment strategy

Assessment criteria

Seminar

Duration of seminar – 30-40 min. Minimum 10 publications published during the last five years must be discussed.

Assessment:

1.     Substantial mistakes, limited biological knowledge – a negative score.

2.     The problem isn‘t discussed in detail, the newest scientific discoveries are not reported and discussed, problematic aspects of the topic are avoided – the score is 5-7.

3.     The problem is discussed in detail, the newest scientific discoveries are reported and discussed, problematic aspects of the topic are discussed in detail – the score is 8-10.

Nomeda Kuisienė

PhD

Prof.

Approved by the Council of Graduate School of Life Sciences Center No 600000-…-… on the …. of …… 2021

Chairman