Molecular Microbiology

Course Objective

Students following this course will obtain in-depth theoretical knowledge of various microbiological topics, including the techniques applied to investigate those topics. Furthermore, the Laboratory research project will allow students to combine theory and experimental approaches to answer research questions that are related to the topics discussed in the theoretical part of the course. For that purpose, the complex molecular processes in the bacterial cell serve as central theme. The emphasis is on structure and function of the cell envelope, its role in bacterial pathogenesis and vaccine development. At the end, the students are able to understand and know:  Fundamental molecular processes that are important for growth, functioning and pathogenicity of micro-organisms. Practical and experimental approaches in molecular microbiology, immunology, bacterial DNA technology, protein techniques.

Course Content

This course consists of two parts: 1. A theoretical series of 12 lectures (24h contact) 2. A Laboratory project of 3 weeks.
1. The Lectures focus on bacterial processes that enable them to colonize and survive in their niches, which can be an underlying cause
for bacterial infections. A major topic is the biogenesis of the complex cell envelope of Gram-negative bacteria, because this bacterial compartment is directly involved in contact with the environment and plays a pivotal role in host-pathogen interactions. 2. The Laboratory project involves a small experimental project that is performed by the student personally (no groups). It involves a microbiological research project that is related to the work performed in the Molecular Microbiology department. The project involves three stages: Reading two scientific papers for background followed by a literature discussion; The actual experimental work in the Laboratory (week 2 and 3 several
days of lab work and working out the experiments at home; this project is busy and requires full days); Writing a lab journal and presenting the work in work discussion meetings (compulsory; 4h contact).

Teaching Methods

Theory; Lectures series. Research project: in a small group with a supervisor planning and conducting a research project in the laboratory of that supervisor. The full participation in the laboratory project is obligatory (requires full days).

Method of Assessment

Deliverables for the course are:
- A written Lab journal (75% of Lab project mark))
- Presentation at work discussions (presence required)
- Presentation of final results (25% of Lab project mark)
- A written exam on the lectures series (the exam consists of essay questions)
The Lab project and the Exam each count for 50% towards the final mark.

Additional requirements:
- You pass the course when the Research project has been completed, including the lab-journal (handed in digitally via Canvas).
- The mark for the written exam should be 5 or higher, or the course is marked as Fail).

Additional Information

Guest Lecturer: Dr. P. van der Ley; Laboratory of Vaccine Research, National Institute of Health and the Environment, Bilthoven.
Course with a lot of direct contact with the professors, associate and assistant professors, PhD's and postdocs.

Additional Information Target Audience

This course is part of the Minor Biomolecular Sciences. However, when available, students of other biomolecular- or biomedical-oriented minors can enroll.