MICROBIOLOGIA E BIOTECNOLOGIE PER LA SOSTENIBILITA' AMBIENTALE

The course aims to provide integrated knowledge of microbiology and microbial ecology applied to the study of natural and contaminated environments, with particular emphasis on the role of microorganisms in environmental processes and on their biotechnological applications for bioremediation and the sustainable management of environmental matrices. The course also aims to illustrate the fundamental concepts required to understand the relationships between environment and health, with particular reference to the effects of climate change on disease distribution, the health risks associated with water contamination, and the consequences of air pollution on human health.

Knowledge and understanding

By the end of the course, students will be able to describe and explain the structure, physiology, metabolism, and growth of the main microorganisms of environmental interest and to understand their interactions within microbial communities. They will also be able to describe the microbiological characteristics of the main environmental compartments and extreme environments, as well as the role of microorganisms in biogeochemical cycles. Students will acquire knowledge of the mechanisms underlying microbial adaptation to contaminated environments, the degradation and transformation of organic and inorganic pollutants, and the microbiological and biotechnological principles of bioremediation, biostimulation, bioaugmentation, mycoremediation, and phytoremediation. They will also understand the role of microbial processes in wastewater treatment, organic waste management, composting, and the biodeterioration and restoration of cultural heritage. Students will also be able to explain the main relationships between environment, climate, and health, including how climate change may alter the geographical and seasonal distribution of vectors and the diseases they transmit. Finally, they will be able to describe the main health risks associated with microbiological contamination of water, the major infections transmitted via the fecal–oral route, infections associated with water systems and aerosols, the most harmful air pollutants, and their effects on health.

Applying knowledge and understanding

By the end of the course, students will be able to use the knowledge acquired to interpret the microbiological, environmental, and health risks addressed in the course; relate the characteristics of natural and contaminated environments to the composition and activities of microbial communities; distinguish the main processes involved in the degradation and transformation of pollutants; compare different bioremediation strategies and identify their principal fields of application; and interpret the role of microorganisms in water treatment, waste treatment, and composting. They will also be able to relate climate change to changes in vector distribution and to the risk of acquiring vector-borne diseases, recognize the main routes of transmission of infections associated with water contamination, and relate the major forms of air pollution to their effects on health.

Making judgements

By the end of the course, students will be able to critically analyse the interactions among microorganisms, the environment, and human activities, assessing the role of microbial communities in environmental contamination, transformation, and remediation processes. They will also be able to compare different microbiological and biotechnological strategies for bioremediation and environmental management, evaluating their principles, potential, and limitations in relation to the characteristics of contaminated environmental matrices. Finally, students will be able to integrate microbiological, environmental, and health-related knowledge in order to critically interpret the relationships between climate change and its effects on health.

Communication skills

By the end of the course, students will be able to clearly, coherently, and scientifically present the principles of microbiology, environmental biotechnology, and the relationships between environment and health, using the specific terminology of the discipline appropriately. They will also be able to establish connections among the different topics covered in the course, clearly illustrating the relationships among microorganisms, environmental contamination, bioremediation strategies, climate change, water and air quality, and health effects.

Learning skills

Students will be able to independently explore the topics covered during the course through the critical consultation of textbooks, teaching materials, and relevant scientific sources. Artificial Intelligence (AI) may also be used as a study-support tool, in compliance with current regulations, including those concerning copyright and the use of intellectual works, as described in Section 5.1 of the guidelines (https://www.unict.it/it/ateneo/cidia-centro-l%E2%80%99informatica-la-digitalizzazione-e-l%E2%80%99intelligenza-artificiale).

According to Article 12 of the University Academic Regulations (RDA) concerning University Educational Credits (CFU), the standard overall student workload corresponding to one credit is 25 hours. This may include 7 hours of lectures or equivalent teaching activities, with the remaining hours devoted to individual study; or at least 12 and no more than 15 hours of classroom exercises or equivalent supervised activities (laboratory sessions), with the remaining hours devoted to individual study and personal revision.

The course is delivered primarily through lectures, which fall within the framework of Direct Instruction (Didattica Erogativa, DE), aimed at fostering the acquisition and understanding of the theoretical and applied contents of microbiology, microbial ecology, and biotechnology for environmental sustainability, as well as the main relationships between environment and health. During the lectures, instructors use presentations, videos, and explanatory audiovisual materials selected to facilitate understanding of the course topics.

Teaching activities are organized to promote the progressive acquisition of the knowledge required to achieve the expected learning outcomes, particularly with regard to knowledge and understanding, applying knowledge and understanding, making judgements, and communication skills.

If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above in order to ensure consistency with the programme set out in this syllabus.

Fundamentals of Microbiology and Microbial Ecology

Structure and organization of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells: bacteria, fungi, algae, and protozoa of environmental interest.

Basic concepts of virology.

Classification, nutrition, metabolism, and growth of microorganisms of environmental interest.

Biological associations and interactions among microorganisms.

Microbial biofilms: formation, structure, properties, and environmental relevance.

Microbiology of the main environmental compartments: soil, water, and atmosphere; microbiology of extreme environments.

Biogeochemical cycles of the elements and the role of microorganisms.

Microbiology of Contaminated Environments and Biotechnologies for Bioremediation

Microbial adaptation to contaminated environments.

Microbial degradation and transformation of organic pollutants.

Microbial transformation of inorganic pollutants and interactions with metals.

Microbiological principles of in situ and ex situ bioremediation.

Biostimulation and bioaugmentation.

Mycoremediation and phytoremediation.

Microbial biotechnologies for the decontamination of soils, water, and sediments.

Microbiological Processes Applied to Environmental Management

Microbiology of water and wastewater.

Microbiological indicators of water contamination.

Microbiological principles of wastewater treatment plants and biological processes for wastewater treatment.

Natural wastewater treatment systems and phytoremediation.

Solid waste and biological treatment of organic waste.

Microbiological principles of composting.

Microbial biodeterioration of artistic artifacts and biotechnological applications for the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage.

Environment–Health Relationship

Relationship between environment, climate, and health.

Effects of climate change on the geographical distribution of arthropod vectors and the pathogens they transmit.

Influence of temperature, precipitation, humidity, and ecosystem changes on vector survival, reproduction, and vector competence.

Latitudinal and altitudinal expansion of vectors and changes in the seasonal duration of transmission.

Globalization, human mobility, and the introduction of vectors and pathogens into new geographical areas.

Climate change and the risk of emergence or re-emergence of vector-borne diseases in the Mediterranean region.

Environmental and epidemiological surveillance of vector-borne diseases.

Water–Health Relationship

Microbiological contamination of water and indicators of fecal contamination.

Role of fecal contamination in the spread of infections.

Main waterborne pathogens and factors affecting their persistence and transmission in the environment.

Main infections transmitted via the fecal–oral route.

Infections associated with water systems and aerosols.

Exposure to other contaminants and associated health risks: mycotoxins.

Principles of prevention, control, and surveillance of diseases associated with water contamination and water quality.

Air Pollution and Health

Main air pollutants and their sources.

Biological effects of air pollutants and tissue damage.

Indoor air pollution: molds, allergens, and microbiological air quality in confined environments.

Air pollution and its effects on health.

Chronic exposure to air pollutants and cancer risk.

Effects of air pollution on particularly susceptible population groups.

Prevention and reduction of exposure to air pollutants.

1. Fanti F., Biologia, microbiologia e tecnologie di controllo ambientale, Zanichelli.
2. Biavati B., Sorlini C. (a cura di), Microbiologia agroambientale, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.
3. AA.VV., Igiene ambientale, EdiSES.

1. Describe the process of microbial biofilm formation and discuss its relevance in natural and contaminated environments.

2. Explain the role of microorganisms in biogeochemical cycles, with particular reference to the nitrogen cycle.

3. Explain how microorganisms degrade or transform organic pollutants present in the environment.

4. Compare biostimulation and bioaugmentation, discussing their principles, possible applications, advantages, and limitations in bioremediation.

5. Explain the principles of biological wastewater treatment and the significance of microbiological indicators of fecal contamination.

6. Describe the role of microorganisms in composting.

7. Explain how climate change can alter the geographical and seasonal distribution of arthropod vectors and the risk of transmission of vector-borne diseases.

8. Explain the relationship between microbiological contamination of water and infectious risk.