MCB 5408

Anaerobic Microbiology & Biotechnology

Dr. Julie Maupin-Furlow and Dr. Madeline E. Rasche

Department of Microbiology and Cell Science
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611-0700

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MCB 5408 Anaerobic Microbiology and Biotechnology. Credits: 3; Prereq: MCB3020, MCB3020L, MCB4403, and BCH 4024 or CHM 4207 with a grade of C or higher. For graduate students, the MCB4403 prerequisite is recommended but not required. Structure, physiology, and principles of energy and biosynthetic metabolism of anaerobes. Problem solving skills, experimental approaches used to understand anaerobic microorganisms, microbial biotechnology of anaerobes.

SPRING SEMESTER 2006

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

MCB 5408 Anaerobic Microbiology and Biotechnology. Credits: 3; Prereq: MCB3020, MCB3020L, MCB4403, and BCH 4024 or CHM 4207 with a grade of C or higher. Structure, physiology, and principles of energy and biosynthetic metabolism of anaerobes. Problem solving skills, experimental approaches used to understand anaerobic microorganisms, microbial biotechnology of anaerobes.

COURSE Dr. Madeline E. Rasche Dr. Julie A. Maupin-Furlow

INSTRUCTORS Rm.1147, Rm.1153,

& OFFICE HOURS: Microbiol. & Cell Sci. Bldg. Microbiol. & Cell Sci. Bldg.

Mondays 3-3:50 p.m. Tuesdays 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Fridays 4-5 p.m. or by appt. Thursdays 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. or by appt.

Phone: 392-1192 Phone: 392-4095

E-mail: E-mail:

Recommended Reference Books:

White, D. 1999. The Physiology and Biochemistry of Prokaryotes.

Second Edition. Oxford University Press, New York, NY. ISBN 0195125797.

Ljungdahl, L. G., M. W. Adams, L. L. Barton, J. G. Ferry, and M. K. Johnson (eds.). 2003.

Biochemistry and Physiology of Anaerobic Bacteria. Springer-Verlag, New York, NY. ISBN 0-387-95592-5.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

• To develop a conceptual framework for analyzing the biochemistry and physiology of anaerobic microorganisms.

• To develop concepts and skills to apply the theory of anaerobic bacterial cell physiology to practical research, ecological, and industrial applications.

• To identify a problem or controversial issue in the field of anaerobic microbiology, perform a literature review, and write a research proposal on the topic.

• To participate in an oral presentation on a key concept of anaerobic microbiology.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

ATTENDANCE:

Class attendance is highly recommended to achieve the objectives of this course.

DEADLINES:

1. Two equally weighted exams (100 points each). Makeup exams are given only under the most extreme circumstances.

2. One assignment (100 points) which will involve identifying a problem or controversial issue in the field of anaerobic microbiology, performing a literature review, and writing a research proposal on the topic. The proposal should be 10 pages double-spaced. The proposal will be formally reviewed by both instructors according to National Science Foundation guidelines and graded accordingly.

3. The student will also prepare and present a lecture on a current topic in the field of anaerobic microbiology or biotechnology (100 points).

Final grades will be based on the following performance standard:

90 - 100 % = A

85 - 89 % = B+

80 - 84 = B

75 - 79 % = C+

70 - 74 = C

60 - 69 % = D

Less than 60 % = E

COURSE OUTLINE:

Classes: January 9 to April 26, 2006

Final Exam Week: April 29 to May 5, 2006

Holidays/No Classes: January 16, 2006 Martin Luther King Jr. Day

March 11-18, 2006 Spring Break

Dr. Rasche lectures – Weeks 1 - 4

Week 1

Jan. 9 - 12 Course Introduction; Anaerobic Microbiology and the Origins of Life

Anaerobes in the Environment; Bioremediation; Anatomy of a Grant Proposal

Week 2

Jan. 16 - 20 The Microbial Carbon Cycle: Methanogenesis and methanogenic coenzymes

The Microbial Nitrogen Cycle: Nitrogen Fixation

Week 3

Jan. 23 - 27 Anaerobic Metalloenzymes: Nitrogenase and Hydrogenases

The Microbial Nitrogen Cycle: Denitrification

Week 4

Jan. 23 –

Feb. 3 Denitrification (continued) / Sulfur Metabolism

Week 5

Feb. 6 - 10 Exam I

Dr. Maupin-Furlow lectures Weeks 6-8 and 11

Week 6

Feb. 13 - 17 Biochemistry of Oxygen, Oxidative Damage, Cellular Repair Systems

Week 7

Feb. 20 - 24 Biochemistry, Assembly and Synthesis of Metalloenzymes and

Pyrrolysine-containing Enzymes

Week 8

Feb 27 – Anaerobic Oxidation of Methane and Ammonium

March 3 Anaerobic Microbial Dehalogenation

Week 9

March 6 – 10 Research Proposal Preparation

Week 10

March 13-17 Spring Break

Week 11

March 20-24 Biotechnology:

e.g. Heavy Metal Mining Using Microbes

Week 12

March 27-31 Exam II

Week 13 – 16

April 3 – 26 Oral Presentations and Research Proposals

REFERENCES:

Research articles on each topic will be assigned during lecture.

ACADEMIC HONESTY:

The University requires all members of its community to be honest in all endeavors. Cheating, plagiarism, and other acts diminish the process of learning. When students enroll at UR they commit themselves to honesty and integrity. Your instructor fully expects you to adhere to the academic honesty guidelines you signed when you were admitted to UF.

As a result of completing the registration form at the University of Florida, every student has signed the following statements:

“I understand that the University of Florida expects its students to be honest in all their academic work. I agree to adhere to this commitment to academic honesty and understand that my failure to comply with this commitment may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the University.” Furthermore, on work submitted for credit by UF students, the following pledge is either required or implied: “On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment.”

It is to be assumed that all work will be completed independently unless the assignment is defined as a group project, in writing by the professor.

This policy will be vigorously upheld at all times in this course.

SOFTWARE USE:

All faculty, staff and students of the University are required and expected to obey the laws and legal agreements governing software use. Failure to do so can lead to monetary damages and/or criminal penalties for the individual violator. Because such violations are also against University policies and rules, disciplinary action will be taken as appropriate.

CAMPUS HELPING RESOURCES:

Students experiencing crisis or personal problems that interfere with their general well-being are encouraged to utilize the university’s counseling resources. Both the Counseling Center and Student Mental Health provide confidential counseling services at no cost for currently enrolled students. The Counseling Center is located at 301 Peabody Hall (next to Criser Hall). Student Mental Health is located on the second floor of the Student Health Services in the Informary. For further information on services and how to make an appointment, call the Counseling Center at 392-1575 or Student Mental Health at 392-1171. See the following web sites for additional resources: Counseling Center: www.counsel.ufl.edu and Student Mental Health: http://www.hsc.ufl.edu/shcc/smhs.htm

The Dean of Students Office provides individual assistance to students with documented disabilities based upon the need and impact of the specific disability. There is no requirement for a student to self0identify his/her disability. However, students requesting classroom accommodations must register with the Dean of Students Office in 202 Peabody Hall, 392-1261 (Voice) 392-3008 (TDD).

Resources are available on-campus for students having personal problems or lacking clear career and academic goals that interfere with their academic performance.

These resources include: