Biology of eukaryotic microorganisms

Basic knowledge of cell biology and microbiology.

Classroom

Eukaryotic microorganisms represent the majority of eukaryotic diversity. Students explore the diversity of eukaryotic microorganism classified in five super-groups: Opisthokonta, Amoebozoa, Archaeplastida, SAR and Excavata. We introduce origin and structure of eukaryotic microorganisms, as well as key representatives (their ecological significance, plant and animal pathogens and model organisms). The course sheds also light on processes that led to such a wide diversity of this group. This lecture is complementary to general microbiology course, which is focused mainly on prokaryotic microorganisms.

The lecture focusses on the diversity and evolution of eukaryotic microorganisms. The lecture covers topics related to the origin of eukaryotes and the role of endosymbiosis in their evolution as well as historical and contemporary views on the eukaryotic tree of life and hypotheses on the origin of the eukaryotic cell.

The central part of the lecture is an overview of eukaryotic microorganisms belonging to five super-groups: Opisthokonta, Amoebozoa, Archaeplastida, TSAR (Telonemia, Stramenopila, Alveolata, Rhizaria) and 'Excavata'. Emphasis will be placed on the evolutionary origin of those groups, the most important features of cell structure, ecological importance, and unique features of the genome. For each group, examples of microorganisms that have played an important role in the development of humanity, for example parasites, or model organisms, will be presented in detail. The genome diversity and evolution of microbial eukaryotes and unique molecular features (e.g. RNA editing, autocatalytic RNA, mitosis without nuclear envelope loss, dikaryotic phase, etc.) will be discussed.

Classes are planned to familiarize students with the diversity of eukaryotic microorganisms with particular emphasis on microscopic fungi, fungi-like organisms, algae, and heterotrophic protists. The exercises allow students to learn about aquatic and soil microbial communities. Laboratories allows learning research methods used to study specific groups of microbial eukaryotes: sampling, isolation techniques, and culturing of fungi and protists. Each student will carry out the project focused on the description of the eukaryotic microorganism and will learn the microscopic techniques, including staining, material fixation, and preparation of slides for light and fluorescence microscopy. The classes also cover principles of scientific documentation and scientific publications.

The course relies mainly on scientific articles.

Textbooks:

1. Eukaryotic Microbes (2011) ed. M. Schaechter

2. Genomics and Evolution of Microbial Eukaryotes (2006) eds. L. A. Katz and D. Bhattacharaya

3. Hanbook of Protists (2017) ed. J. Archibald, A. G. B. Simpson, C. H. Slamovits

KNOWLEDGE

1. Has the knowledge about structural, genetic, metabolic and functional diversity of eukaryotic microorganisms (K_W03)

2. Understand relations between eukaryotic microorganisms and environment, applying the hypothesis of temporal and spatial determinants of biodiversity (K_W04)

3. Understand rules and molecular, cellular and physiological mechanisms of development and functioning of eukaryotic microorganisms (K_W05)

4. Has up-to-date knowledge in the main areas of biology of eukaryotic microorganisms including the scientific terminology concerning eukaryotic microbiology (K_W06)

5. . Understands the relationship of microbial eukaryotes and the phylogenetic methodology that allows to determine the relationships between these organisms (K_W07)

6. Understand relationships of eukaryotic microorganisms. Is familiar with up-to-date methods for estimating phylogenetic trees, which allows to determine the relationships between organisms (K_W10)

7. Is familiar with up-to-date laboratory techniques of data collection used in eukaryotic microorganisms biology (K_W12)

Knows the principles of planning research and performing experiments with the use of specialized methods to study microbial eukaryotes (K_W13)

ABILITIES

1. Is able to choose proper tools and techniques for solving problems of eukaryotic microbiology (K_U01)

2. Uses scientific and popular science biological texts in English and communicates in English at the B2+ level (K_U03)

3. Is able to critically analyze and select biological information in the field of eukaryotic microorganisms biology, especially from electronic sources and media (K_U04)

4. Under the supervision of a scientific supervisor can plan and perform an experiment using the known methods of studying the diversity and biology of eukaryotic microorganisms (K_U07)

5. Writes research papers in the field of biology of microorganisms in English based on own research and source literature (K_U10)

6. Has the ability to prepare and deliver oral presentations in English at the B2+ level (K_U11)

SOCIAL AWARENESS

1. Understands the need to discover new species and identify known species of eukaryotic microorganisms and is able to pass this knowledge on to others (K_K01)

2. Understands the need for informing the public about latest achievements in biology of microbial eukaryotes and is able to explain the importance of scientific research on eukaryotic microorganisms (K_K03)

3. Is able to work in a team, carrying out his/her own research and co-organizing the work of the entire team (K_K04)

4. Understands the need for continuous training and updating of knowledge in the area of biology of eukaryotic microorganisms using scientific and popular science sources (K_K07)

5. Demonstrates responsibility for assessing the risks arising from working with toxic and pathogenic eukaryotic microorganisms (K_K08)

6. Critically analyzes media information on the biology of eukaryotic microorganisms and is able to use them in practice (K_K10)

Presentations, written assignments and final exam with open questions.

No.