Short Course in Geomicrobiology
by
Pieter T.
Visscher
Department of Marine Sciences, University
of Connecticut, USA
Location: ETH Geology Institute,
Sonneggstrasse 5, Room NO G33
Time: Friday afternoon 15:00 to
17:00
Dr. Pieter Vissher is presently a Guest
Professor at the Geology Institute of ETH. As part of his assignment he is
offering the following course. We recommend that collaborators of the Microbial
Ecology Group and students attend this course and participate at the field
trip.
Background
Prokaryotic microorganisms have inhabited
the Earth’s lithosphere, hydrosphere, and possibly atmosphere for over 3
billion years. During this time span, these organisms have demonstrated great
biological flexibility that has modified the geological and chemical
characteristics of the particular environment they inhabit. Some of these
prokaryotic communities may have survived without much alteration for 3.8
billion years.
In order to understand their role in
geochemical signatures, it is important to appreciate the metabolic capacities
and ecophysiological functioning of bacteria. This encompasses basic chemistry
of energy generation, conservation and use, as well as metabolic pathways and
specific mechanisms of adaptation to particular environmental
conditions.
Objectives
This review course is coined to provide a
better understanding of the extent to which microbes adapt to a set of
environmental (physicochemical) conditions, and in turn, alter the environment
they live in through metabolic activities. Special attention will be given to
microbial responses on various temporal and spatial scales.
Lectures
The current state of microbiology,
especially as it relates to biogeochemical processes, will be reviewed in a
series of lectures, which will be held on the following Friday afternoons from
15:00-17:00 in NO G33.
5 April
- Microbial energetics (biochemistry and
thermodynamics): chemiosmotic theory, electron transfer systems, proton motive
force
- Metabolic diversity (molecular and
functional): specific metabolic groups of organisms, and what they do
(metabolically)
12 April
- The role of microbes in element cycling (C, N, S,
and others)
- Interactions between microbes
and surfaces (attachment mechanisms, biofilms, biostabilization, attached versus
free-living microbes)
19 April
- Microbial modification of the
environment
- Special topics I: Subsurface
microbiology – Current issues, approaches and
limitations
26 April
- Special topics II: Microbial mats –
Earth’s most resilient ecosystems; biogenic signatures in rocks and
atmosphere
3 May
From 13:00-17:00, a laboratory
exercise concerning microbial mats and the use of micro-electrodes will be
conducted in the Geomicrobiology Laboratory in NO F14.
A field
trip to the former Iron Mine in Gonzen near
Sargans is planned for May, 1.
Please sign up for it during the lecture.
Details can be found on the Internet under
<<EVERYONE IS
WELCOME!>>