Alexander Franz Perhal - Teaching Overview and Online Resources
Laboratory Course in Microbiology (B17)
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The following topics will be covered in this two-hour practical course:
Part 1 of the Lab Course (General Microbiology)
- Aseptic (sterile) transfer
- Microscopy of microbiologically and biotechnologically relevant microorganisms
- Differential staining (Gram staining)
- Streak plating for isolation (fractionated streak method)
- Identification of an unknown microorganism by biochemical characterization (“Kleine Bunte Reihe” = small biochemical test series)
- Determination of the mutagenic effect of test substances using the Ames test
- Production of streptomycin by Streptomyces griseus and subsequent characterization of its antibiotic effect on microbes
- Transformation of competent bacteria, followed by evaluation using blue-white screening and single-colony PCR
- Testing of eye drops for sufficient preservation (according to Ph. Eur., European Pharmacopoeia)
- Determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Penicillin G against staphylococci
- Determination of the microbial count of a probiotic by Koch’s plate count method
Part 2 of the Lab Course (Specific/Pharmaceutical Microbiology)
- Examination of pharmaceutical preparations (syrup, gel, etc.)
- Examination of water samples
- Sterility testing of solid (e.g., wound dressing material) and liquid (e.g., shampoo) substances
- Preparation of a culture medium
- Investigation of yeasts and molds
- Determination of microbial counts on surfaces
- Preparation of an antibiogram (antibiotic susceptibility test)
- Determination of endotoxin content in aqueous solutions (LAL test)
Biochemistry and Immunology (B10)
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The following topics will be covered in this five-hour lecture:
Biochemistry:
1. Molecular Architecture of Life
* Building blocks: nucleic acids (DNA, RNA), proteins, lipids, carbohydrates.
* Cells are the fundamental units of life.
* Macromolecules determine structure and function.
2. Proteins – Structure, Function, and Analysis
* Levels of structure:
- Primary (amino acid sequence)
- Secondary (α-helix, β-sheet)
- Tertiary (3D folding)
- Quaternary (multi-subunit complexes)
* Protein Functions: enzymes, transport, signaling, structural proteins, antibodies.
* Analysis methods: SDS-PAGE, Western blot, mass spectrometry, X-ray crystallography, NMR.
3. Storage & Expression of Genetic Information
* DNA stores genetic information.
* Central dogma: DNA → RNA → Protein (replication, transcription, translation).
4. Recombinant DNA Technologies
* Restriction enzymes, PCR, cloning, vectors, CRISPR/Cas.
* Applications: genetic engineering, medicine, biotechnology.
5. Alteration of Genetic Information
* Mutations (point, insertion, deletion).
* DNA repair mechanisms.
* Artificial modification (knock-out/knock-in, genome editing).
6. Signal Transduction
* Intercellular: hormones, cytokines, neurotransmitters.
* Intracellular: second messengers (cAMP, Ca²⁺), kinases, phosphatases.
* Key pathways: Gs, Gi, Gq, MAPK, JAK-STAT.
7. Cell Cycle & Programmed Cell Death
* Phases: G1, S, G2, M.
* Checkpoints: cyclins & cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs).
* Apoptosis: caspases, mitochondrial signals, death receptors.
8. Energy Conversion & Biosynthesis
* Catabolism (breakdown): glycolysis, citric acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, β-oxidation.
* Anabolism (synthesis): gluconeogenesis, fatty acid synthesis, protein synthesis, nucleotide biosynthesis.
* Cholesterol: essential for membranes, precursor of steroid hormones.
Immunology:
1. Innate Immune System
* Barriers: skin, mucosal surfaces.
* Cells: macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells, NK cells.
* Mechanisms: phagocytosis, complement system, inflammation.
2. Adaptive Immune System
* B cells → antibody production (humoral immunity).
* T cells:
- CD4⁺ helper T cells (coordinate immune response).
- CD8⁺ cytotoxic T cells (kill infected cells).
* Immunological Memory
Hygienics, Microbiology and Infectiology (B14)
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The following topics will be covered in this two-hour lecture:
General Part 1:
- Hygiene (disinfection, preservation, sterilization)
- Fundamentals of general microbiology
- Classification/scale of microorganisms (morphology, systematics, origin, transmission, pathogenicity, identification of microorganisms)
- Bacteriology
- Mycology
- Virology
- Eukaryotic microorganisms (fungi, protozoa)
- Fundamentals of infectiology (terminology, virulence factors, transmission, vaccines)
Specific Part 2:
- Selection of important (human) pathogens and their infectious diseases
- Bacteria as pathogens (gram-positive and negative cocci, gram-positive and negative rods)
- Viruses as pathogens (DNA and RNA viruses)
- Fungi as pathogens
- Protozoa as pathogens