Duration
25h Th, 25h Pr
Number of credits
Master in oceanography (120 ECTS) (MER - Erasmus mundus) | 6 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
About 20 years ago, it became apparent that the study of the diversity of marine microorganisms cannot be conducted without a molecular approach, given that only a fraction of them can be isolated and cultured. In addition, as for the microorganisms that can be observed through a microscope, genetic diversity is larger than that which is determined on the basis of phenotypical characteristics (morphology....). The determination of diversity at the genetic level also allows us to understand ecological characteristics (geographical distribution, endemism, etc.). More recently, the whole-genome sequencing has brought new information on all the evolutionary processes and the metabolic pathways present in the microorganisms.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
To give to the students the knowledge that will allow them, on one hand, to understand and read in a critical manner the literature concerning the diversity of marine microorganisms, and on the other hand, to use molecular techniques in order to solve problems concerning the molecular diversity and ecology on which they may be working (master thesis, PhD, etc).
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Having basic knowledge of genetic material: DNA, RNA, proteins. If this prerequisite is not met, part of the course may be devoted to a review.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Practical work in a laboratory on a small problem involving diversity of marine microorganisms (often cyanobacteria).
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Additional information:
Course given in presence
Further explanations:
Face-to-face teaching, in the 1st quadrisemester
1) Definitions and why?
2) Systematics, the notion of bacterial species and molecular markers of diversity
3) How is generated the genetic diversity at the basis of evolution?
4) Phylogenetic analyses and the construction of phylogenetic trees
5) Molecular microbial ecology
6) Practical work with extraction of genomic DNA from strains, PCR, electrophoresis, sequencing, analysis of sequences obtained during practical work
7) Genomic approaches (Dr. Luc Cornet course)
- Reminder of the basics on genomic diversity and the contribution of genomes for taxonomy and evolution (with example of cyanobacteria)
- Phylogenomics
- How to study metabolism with bioinformatics?
- Reproducibility in bioinformatics
- A concrete example
Recommended or required readings
Copies of transparencies used in class
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
oral exam
Additional information:
3 questions taken at random, preparation of the answers during 20 mins and oral presentation
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Contacts
A. Wilmotte, InBios, Chimie B6,
Phone : 04/366.33.87/38.56,
e-mail : awilmotte@uliege.be
Association of one or more MOOCs
Items online
1st course on molecular systematics
1st course
2nd theoretical module on the GEneration of Genetic diversity
How is the genetic diversity created?
3rd Theoretical module on Phylogenetic reconstruction methods
3rd Theoretical module on Phylogenetic reconstruction methods
4th theoretical module: Molecular diversity
Molecular diversity in natural communities
Practical exercise: molecular characterization of marine cyanobacterial strains
Practical exercise: molecular characterization of marine cyanobacterial strains and principle of DNA extraction
DNA quantification for TP
Methods to quantify DNA
TP phylogeny: Treatment of sequences before phylogenetic analysis
Treatment of sequences before phylogenetic analysis
TP principles of electrophoresis
Principles of electrophoresis for the Pratical exercise
TP Principles of PCR
Theory of PCR
TP: Protocol DNA extraction
1st TP: Protocol and result
Unusual origin of the PCR
Article by K Mullis