526-307 Microbial ecology: Interactions & Applications

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Microbiology & Immunology 526-201 or 526-203 (1998 Handbook) or 526-201 and 526-221 (1999 Handbook); Biochemistry 521-211 and 521-212 (or 521-201); at least 12.5 more points of 200-level practical from Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Chemistry, Genetics or Microbiology. Microbiology & Immunology 526-204 highly recommended.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

By the end of this subject students should be able to:

• describe the ways in which different microorganisms satisfy their basic requirements for growth and in so doing catalyse the biogeochemical cycles for carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur and how to exploit them for use as agents for bioremediation.

• understand those symbiotic relationships between microorganisms and animals or plants or insects that are of particular relevance to man

• appreciate the roles of Archaea in extreme environments

• appreciate the factors involved in the pathogenicity of microorganisms for both animals and plants

• describe the systems of plants and animals that can be used to protect themselves from microbially induced diseases

• give examples to illustrate how the expression of microbial genes can be regulated by changes in the environment

• have a general knowledge of the ways by which the productivity of plants and animals may be increased by genetic modifications and by the biological control of potential pathogens

• understand the reasons for and principles of the current Australian Government quarantine regulations.

Assessment

A 3-hour end of semester written examination.