Genetics of microorganisms

Course unit title

Scientific direction

Scientific code

Faculty

Department (s)

Biology N 010

Life Sciences Center

Institute of Biosciences

Mode of studies

Number of credits

Mode of studies

Number of credits

Lectures

0

Consultations

1

Self-studies

7

Seminars

0

Aims of course

To provide knowledge about the genomes of microorganisms. Their structure. Gene transfer in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Bacterial TA systems and resistance mechanisms. Bacterial secretory systems, their biological significance for the survival of microorganisms. Structure, biology and genetics of eukaryotic microorganisms. Genetic organization and potential of yeast and mold fungi for the synthesis of biologically active compounds. The nature and structure of non-cellular biological systems (viruses, viroids, prions). Their use in gene therapy and biotechnology. Enzymes are synthesized viruses. Vector based on viruses. Genetic methods and their application to the modification of microorganisms.

Main topics

1. Bacterial genome structure. Regulation of gene expression. Advantages of microorganisms as genetic objects. Mutations, types of mutations, frequency of mutations in microorganisms. Isolation, identification, classification of mutants.
2. Bacterial plasmids. Plasmid stability, inheritance, distribution mechanism. Plasmid transfer between bacteria. DNA transfer in the genus Agrobacterium. Conjugation in G + and G- bacteria, principles, differences.
3. Secretory systems in bacteria. Their structure and principles of operation. Bacterial virulence and pathogenesis. Organization of virulence genes. Bacterial toxins and the principle of their action. Antigen variation, phase variation in bacteria.
4. Toxin-antitoxin systems in bacteria. TA systems structure, operating principles. Application of TA systems in molecular biology and biotechnology.
5. Interactions between bacteria. Quorum sensing mechanism, main components and principles of operation in G + and G- bacteria. Biofilm formation. Interbacterial communication in biofilms.
6. Eukaryotic microorganisms. Yeast mitosis, cell cycle, its regulation. Meiosis, induction of meiosis. Yeast genome, proteome - protein interaction analysis. Yeast hybridological analysis: random spore selection, tetrad analysis.
7. Catabolic repression. Major activators and repressors. Genes are regulated by an alternative carbon source. Cloning, methods, their selection, reporter genes. Complementation. Yeast plasmids and vectors. Yeast transformation. Suppression, synthetic lethality, yeast dihybrid system.
8. Yeast - model organisms. Yeast prions. The concept of prion. Discovery of prions. Structure and propagation of prions. Inheritance of prions. Prion diseases. Other biotechnologically and genetically important yeasts. Their biology and application in research and biotechnology. Kluyveromyces lactis, Yarrowia lypolytica, Hansenula polymorpha, Pichia pastoris, Schwanniomyces occidentalis, Candida guilliermondii, Pichia methanolica, Arxula adenivorans, Candida maltosa, Trichosporon.
9. Microscopic fungi, their structure and propagation properties. Biologically active substances are produced by microscopic fungi. Regulation of synthesis of secondary metabolites. COP9 signalosome and Velvet complex. Strategies for activating sleeping gene clusters. Pathogenic yeasts. Their biology, virulence gene organization, and morphology change in them.

Main literature

• Tina M. Henkin, Joseph E. Peters, Snyder and Champness Molecular Genetics of Bacteria, 5th Edition, 2020
• H.Feldman. Yeast Molecular and Cell Biology, 2012
• R.J. Brooker. Genetic analysis and principles. 2012
• Prescott's Microbiology 11th edition, 2020
• Dale, Park, Molecular Genetics of Bacteria, 5th edition, 2010;
• Jerey S. Smith, Daniel J. Burke, Yeast genetics: methods and protocols, 2014.
• Recent scientific publications on the topic of the seminar.

Assessment strategy

Assessment criteria

Seminar

One 45-60 minute report on a pre-agreed topic is prepared:

The notification is assessed according to the following criteria:

• The relevance and novelty of the examined issues of genetics of microorganisms are revealed.
• Novelty, expediency, appropriate presentation of used literature.
• Regularity of language, suitability of style.
• Appropriateness and regularity of the presentation structure and order.
• Demonstration of required skills: apply knowledge, define, describe, interpret, analyze, summarize, interpret, classify, justify, oppose, synthesize, evaluate.

The presentation of the seminars is evaluated:

10 - Excellent knowledge and skills. The problem is analyzed in detail. The structure of presentation is logically defined and suitable. The conclusions drawn are reasonable. The seminar is prepared in accordance with the requirements for the presentation of scientific work. There are no style or spelling errors.

9 - Very good knowledge and skills. The issue has been sufficiently analyzed. The structure of presentation is logically defined and suitable. The conclusions drawn are reasonable. The seminar is prepared in accordance with the requirements for the presenting scientific work. There are almost no style and spelling errors.

8 - Good knowledge and skills, there may be minor mistakes. The structure of the work is appropriate. The conclusions drawn are reasonable. The work is prepared in accordance with the requirements for the presenting scientific work.

7 - Average knowledge and skills, there are insignificant mistakes. The problem of work is not fully analyzed. The seminar does not completely meet the requirements for the presenting scientific work.. The conclusions are messy and do not reflect the problems. There are style and spelling mistakes.

6 - The problem is not analyzed in detail, there are shortcomings related to the structure of the presentation, there are gross style and spelling mistakes. Satisfactory knowledge and skills, there are mistakes.

5 - Weak knowledge and skills that still meet the minimum requirements. There are many mistakes.

0-4 - Minimum requirements not met.

0 points – Seminar is not given.

Eglė Lastauskienė

prof.

Approved by the Council of Doctoral School of Life Sciences Center No (4.10)600000-KT-… on the 14th of October 2021

Chairman dr. Daiva Baltriukienė