Fundamentals of Bacteriology

Fundamentals of Bacteriology will provide you with a detailed understanding of bacterial cell structure including a particular focus on the cell surface. These surface-located structures mediate a variety of functions (motility, signalling and sensing, transport and attachment) and these will be discussed in some detail.  You will also be introduced to the key emerging technological developments, such as next generation sequencing and the concept of the microbiome as well as the role of CRISPR as a bacterial defence system and gene editing tool. Finally, you will study the emerging issues of antibiotic resistance and the potential role of bacteriophage therapy. 

BIOL10532 is a mandatory pre-requisite for BIOL21181

This unit will provide students with a comprehensive overview of bacterial cell structure/function with a particular focus on the key cell surface components. The major signalling and sensing systems will also be discussed. Students will also be introduced to key emerging technological developments such as next generation sequencing, the concept and role of the microbiome and the CRISPR defence system and its applications. 
 

Students will appreciate and be able to describe:

• The detailed molecular structure and functioning of the key components of the bacterial cell particularly the cell surface

• The principal sensing and regulatory mechanisms employed by bacteria

• The concept of the microbiome and its significance

• The role of CRISPR as a defence system and its applications

• The importance of antibiotics and the issues of resistance 

 

• Cell envelopes: Cell envelope structure of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, peptidoglycan, LPS, S-layers
• Cell division & cell shape: processes involved in cell division & variety of cell shapes
• Motility: Structure and function of flagella, and control via chemotaxis systems
• Bacterial signalling and sensing: Sporulation in Gram-positive bacteria, quorum sensing and two component regulatory systems
• Structures associated with bacterial outer membrane: OMPs and porins, pili/fimbriae
• Protein secretion systems: diversity of pathways for protein secretion in Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria
• Horizontal gene transfer including DNA uptake systems
• The emergence of the microbiome concept through next generation sequencing technologies and modification through bacteriophage therapy
• The role of CRISPR as a bacterial defence system and its significance as a genome editing tool
• Antibiotics and antibiotic resistance

e-Learning Activity
MCQ-based formative and summative assessments will be delivered online via Blackboard
 

 

A 2 hour written examination comprising of 30 MCQs (50% of exam mark) and a single essay from a choice of four (50% of exam mark). Exam makes up 90% of unit mark.  

The MCQ based summative assessments will develop data analysis using research data relevant to course content (10% of unit mark).   
 

 

Face-to-face sessions will combine active learning and more didactic lectures. The MCQ-based coursework will also provide feedback when marked. Feedback on exam performance will be made available through a drop-in session to view exam scripts. There will also be an opportunity to write a practice exam-style essay prior to the exam with detailed individual feedback provided by course coordinator. There will be dedicated sessions run by unit coordinator to address more challenging material as identified by students on course Padlet and to advise and answer student questions regarding approach to exam.

Up-to-date review articles recommended in lectures.

Recommended Reading

1. Brock Biology of Microorganisms - Sixteenth edition. Michael T Madigan et al. (2021)