Microbiology

Part 1 : Phycology and mycology

[UPDATED IN 2019] An introductory lecture (1h40) covers the large-scale organization of living organisms and makes a point of showing the unexpected diversity of "protists" (eukaryotic microbes), including "algae" and "fungi". Take-home messages of this first lecture are the need for a natural classification and the inadequacy of traditional groupings.
The next ten lectures paint a picture of the different groups of algae (including cyanobacteria) and fungi (sensu lato) and replace them in a proper evolutionary context, as deduced from molecular phylogenetics. For each group, a range of key species are discussed in more detail.
The general outline of these ten lectures is given below.
2. Presentation of biochemical and ultrastructural characters, of which variation among main groups of algae makes that those organisms display a much greater diversity of cellular organization than animals and land plants, in spite of a deceivingly simple morphology.
3. Introduction to the fungal way of life.
4. Presentation of blue-green algae, whose prokaryotic nature places in a peculiar phylogenetic position ("cyanobacteria") but whose ecological role is similar to that of other algae. Main themes: importance in present ecosystems, nitrogen fixation, toxins and morphological evolution.
5-8. Presentation of eukaryotic algae, mainly red, green and brown algae, as well as the main planktonic algae (e.g., dinoflagellates, diatoms). Main themes: evolution of eukaryotes (origin, loss or gain of plastid, origin of land plants), ecological and economical (mucilages) importance of benthic algae, primary production, trophic role and toxic blooms of planktonic algae, dinoflagellate symbioses.
9. Presentation of Ascomycetes. Among those organisms, a special attention is given to yeasts as technological and scientific tools (small and completely sequenced genomes, transformations, fermentations). Other themes: parasites and symbionts (lichens), mycotoxins and antibiotics.
10. Presentation of Basidiomycetes, insisting on their role as mycorhizal symbionts or wood-rotters (ecological importance, destruction of timber, biotechnological potential of the capacity to metabolize lignin).
11. [If possible...] Presentation of other groups of fungi, with emphasis on Mucorales (moulds) and Glomales (endomycorhizae), downy mildew (economical and historical importance) and Dictyostelium (tool of molecular biology).
Practical teaching is based on the collection of fungi in the surrounding of the Botanical Institute, their observation in the laboratory and attempts at cultivation. Algae from the pond near the Institute are treated in the same way.

Part 2 : Bacteriology

Chapter I: The bacterial cell: architecture and composition Chapter II: Biosynthesis and assembly of bacterial envelopes Chapter III: Bacterial growth Chapter IV: Nutrition Chapter V: Metabolism Chapter VI: The control of bacterial growth Chapter VII: Antibiotics

Part 1 : Phycology and mycology

They are four objectives to this course:

• To get used to the main groups of organisms traditionally considered as algae and fungi.
• To understand their position in the diversity of Life as well as the main lines of their classification.
• To discover a range of organisms that broadly sample these groups and that are interesting for evolutionary, ecological, medical, experimental or industrial reasons.
• To experiment with observing and identifying some species living in the surroundings of the Sart Tilman.

Part 2 : Bacteriology

Get an overview of the bacterial cell, its structures and its physiology. Understanding and mastering the control of bacterial growth by physical and chemical agents

Part 1 : Phycology and mycology

A minimal knowledge of general biology and biochemistry.

Part 2 : Bacteriology

A basic knowledge of biology and biochemistry

Part 1 : Phycology and mycology

Laboratory practicals require four half-days (two for algae, two for fungi) in laboratories located at the -1 floor of the Botanical Institute B22 in the Sart Tilman campus. Fresh material is collected in the surroundings of the building, located near the forest, at the beginning of the course. Some of the laboratory manipulations will be common to the bacteriology course.

Part 2 : Bacteriology

Practical works are mandatory and include three half-days of individual work with a final report to be evaluated

Part 1 : Phycology and mycology

Assistance to the lectures is useful for they are interactive, which helps to digest the course content. Further, teaching is supported by a large number of original illustrations.
For laboratory practicals, one needs A4 paper, pencil, eraser and a pocket lens 10-15x.

Part 2 : Bacteriology

Face-to-face

Part 1 : Phycology and mycology

PowerPoint slides will be made available to students at the latest after each class. A summary of the lecture (with missing words to find) will be also given to the students at the beginning of each class.

Part 2 : Bacteriology

Lecture notes will be given at the beginning of the year. The slide presentations will be made available to students.
Reference Books:
Prescott LM Harley JP and Klein DA Microbiology. De Boeck, Brussels Wesmael S. A.
M.F. Madigan, Martinko J.M., Parker J. Brock Biology of Microorganisms. Prentice Hall International Inc.., London

Part 1 : Phycology and mycology

Final note is made up for 25% by appreciations of the laboratory reports and 75% by the written examination (multiple choices form). WARNING: Missed practicals (for whatever reason) ARE WORTH ZERO when computing the average note for laboratory reports. Moreover, laboratory practicals can be taken only once a year.
When this part is selected with Part 2 Bacteriology, one has to get at least 8/20 in each part to pass the course (an arithmetic mean of 10/20 is not enough).

Part 2 : Bacteriology

Written exam in January and oral in September

Part 1 : Phycology and mycology

Taking notes on a laptop or tablet is allowed. However, students are expected not to surf or chat in the classroom.

Part 2 : Bacteriology

It is important to notice that as for the  other part of te course, an evaluation note of 8/20 is required in order to succeed.

Part 1 : Phycology and mycology

Prof. Denis Baurain Institut de Botanique B22 (P70) denis.baurain@uliege.be
Assistant: Dr. Damien Sirjacobs Institut de Botanique B22 (P70) 04/366.38.54 D.Sirjacobs@uliege.be

Part 2 : Bacteriology

Bernard Joris, Chargé de coursInstitut de Chimie B6a Bureau 1.50b E-mail : bjoris@ulg.ac.be

Part 1 : Phycology and mycology

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Part 2 : Bacteriology

Contents (powerpoints and podcasts)  uploaded on MyULiege space

Part 1 : Phycology and mycology

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Part 2 : Bacteriology

Remote oral evaluation via Lifesize  or  Blackboard Collaborate web platform

Part 1 : Phycology and mycology

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Part 2 : Bacteriology

bjoris@uliege.be

Part 1 : Phycology and mycology

exam training: Multiple Choice Questionnaire
This training set questionnaire allows you to get prepared fot the exam, which takes usually around 2h30