Department of Biological Sciences

BIOL 52900 Bacterial Physiology

Session Offered:

Spring Credit 3.0

Prerequisites:

BIOL 43800 and 43900 and BCHM 56100 or CHM 53300.  May not be enrolled as the following classifications: Freshman 0-14 hours, Freshman 15-29 hours, Sophomore 30-44 hours and Sophomore 45-59 hours.

Description:

 

A detailed consideration of several of the following topics from the primary literature:  function and regulation of central metabolic routes; mechanisms controlling intercellular signaling and differentiation; transport and secretion; specialized metabolism, including photosynthesis, methanogenesis and microbial alternative energy production; evolution and interaction of regulatory systems. 

The course emphasizes metabolic features that are common for all bacteria or for large groups of organisms and is intended for students in many different departments who need an understanding of bacterial physiology.  A major section of the course revolves around genomics and high-throughput techniques such as transcriptomics, proteomics and next-generation sequencing.  As part of this section, students are taught how to use free, web-based computer software that is available for finding and analyzing such information.

Instructor(s):

Louis A. Sherman

Louis A. Sherman
Thomas Walter

E-mail:

lsherman@purdue.edu
waltert@purdue.edu

Textbook(s):

Text 1:  The Physiology and Biochemistry of Prokaryotes
Year/Edition:  2011-4th
ISBN Number: 
Author(s):  White, David
Publisher:  Oxford University Press

Grading:

Grades will be based on student preparation for class, 4 homework assignments, in-class discussions plus written take-home exams, followed by oral exams.  The emphasis is on critical reading and understanding of the primary literature and on improved written and verbal skills, and not on facts alone.  The textbook provides important fundamental information on most of the topics covered.

Course Format:

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