LFU:online

Graduates of this course will be qualified to work in a safe and clean way with the three major groups of microorganisms in the laboratory, and will learn how to conduct simple experiments to get basic insights into the diverse life styles of bacteria, yeasts and filamentous fungi. The majority of experiments can be transferred into school lessons.

The course will convey the basic knowledge for the isolation, pure cultivation and conservation of microorganisms, including bacteria, yeasts and filamentous fungi, as well as teach microscopical techniques for their identification, staining, phenotypic analysis and cell number determination.  Fundamental lab calculations, such as molarity and dilutions, will be taught in order to conduct experiments focusing on the sterilisation and growth restriction of microbes by means of antimicrobial substances. 

• determination of cell number by counting chamber and via optical density
• dilution calculations and preparation of cell suspensions with defined cell number
• preparation of nutrient media, pure cultivation, isolation and conservation of microbes
• fundamentals of light microscopy for the characterisation of microorganisms by staining
• killing of microbes by means of microwave treatment, vapor sterilization, UV irradiation and alcohol
• evaluation of antimicrobial agents, such as spices and antibiotics

• practical individual and group work
• slide presentation of experimental data as group work
• solving comprehension questions as individual work

Optional for self-teaching; not required for conducting the course!

Eckahrd Bast, Mikrobiologische Methoden: Eine Einführung in grundlegense Arbeitstechniken, Spektrum Verlag, 2010 (ISBN 978-3-8274-1072-6)

Alexander Steinbüchel et al., Mikrobiologisches Praktikum: Versuche und Theorie, Springer Spektrum, 2012 (ISBN 978-3-642-25150-4)

Preliminary meeting and final group allocation for the exercises: Monday 01.03.2021, 10:00 eLecture online

Please note: (Course 5+6): 28.06-02.07 optional, only if courses 1-4 are full.