Duration
25h Th, 25h Pr
Number of credits
| Master in biochemistry and molecular and cell biology (120 ECTS) | 5 crédits |
Lecturer
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The objectives of this thematic week are to tackle the following questions: which are the actual physico-chemical limits of Life on Earth? Which is the phylogenetic and metabolic diversity of the organisms living in extreme conditions? Which mechanisms have they invented to accomplish their life cycle in these conditions?
The adaptations of organisms to extreme conditions (pH, temperature, pressure, osmotic pressure) will be analysed. The phylogenetic analyses allow to localize the extremophilic organisms in the three branches of the Tree of Life, and we will examine their diversity in the global context of the rise and evolution of Life in our solar system. Moreover, for evolution and diversity, it is necessary that new mechanisms allow for genetic 'novelty' and adaptations. The different types of mechanisms will be presented, from mutations to lateral gene transfer. Then, 2 particular groups of microorganisms will be presented in more details (Cyanobactéries et Archébactéries).
Three courses are given in the frame of the Thematic week:
1) Biodiversity of the extremophiles (A.Wilmotte) 1H30
2) Generation of the genetic diversity (A. Wilmotte) 1H30
3) Cyanobacteria, Archea (A. Wilmotte) 2H
Two courses will be given in the frame of the thematic week:
adaptation to extreme pressure (1 h)
adaptation to extreme pH (1h)
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)
25 Hours of teaching
Language: French/English
Recommended or required readings
Copy of the Powerpoint presentations and transparencies
Assessment methods and criteria
Presentation of papers
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
Course given in collaboration with Prof. Moreno Galleni and Dr Georges Feller. Foreign scientists are invited to give seminars.
Contacts
Fr Annick Wilmotte
Centre for Protein Engineering B6
University of Liège
4000 Liège Belgium
32 4 366 38 56