Course: Structure and Function of the Gut Microbiota (4503-411)

Persons:

• Prof. Dr. Jana Seifert (verantwortlich)

Type of Course:

lecture with seminar

In-Class Hours Per Week:

4

Contents:

Students are introduced to the diversity of the microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract of livestock and humans. Key phylogenetic groups and the metabolic pathways as well as interaction mechanisms between microorganisms and the host will be elucidated. This is framed by the introduction of novel genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomics techniques which are used to investigate the gut microbiota.
The seminar will strengthen the knowledge obtained in the lectures. The students have to elaborate a scientific topic based on given publications. An extended abstract (4 pages) and an oral presentation (20 min) have to be presented. The content of the presentation will be discussed across the students. Within the seminar, a lab course will introduce the students to DNA- and protein-based analytical methods. The samples used for this will be generated during the course by a simple in vitro system using rumen samples.

Literature:

Brock Biology of Microorganisms; Madigan, Martinko, Stahl, Clark; Pearson Education Inc.
Key publications for the seminar presentations will be provided by the tutor.

Location:

Hohenheim

Module:

• 4503-410 Structure and Function of the Gut Microbiota (compulsory)