Objectives and competences
The main objectives of this Unit are:
- To explain the diversity of filamentous, yeast-like and dimorphs fungi and their relevance to humans from environmental, clinical, food and biotechnological perspectives;
- To impart knowledge on the classification, cellular organization, metabolism and types of reproduction used by fungi;
- To train students to isolate and identify fungi in the laboratory.
At the end of this Unit, the students should be able to:
- Recognize the importance of fungi to humans and to the biosphere;
- Dominate and explain scientific concepts related to the subjects taught in the classes;
- Execute in the laboratory, autonomously and using correct procedures, the isolation of fungi from environmental samples, sub-culturing of fungi in appropriate growth media, and the identification of filamentous fungi using macro and microscopic observations, classical and genetic/molecular tests.
Teaching Methodologies
The Unit includes theoretical lectures, practical (laboratory) classes and tutorial sessions. In theoretical lectures, expository, inquiry and discussion methods will be used to encourage the active participation of the students. In practical classes the teachers will demonstrate the main techniques and procedures used in fungi manipulation in the lab. In tutorial sessions, active methods will be used with a focus on student-teacher interactions.
Syllabus
- History, taxonomy, and importance of Fungi. Morphology (yeast-like, filamentous and dimorph) and cell structure. Mycelium growth and functional organization of hyphae. Water and nutrient translocations.
- Physiology and nutrition of fungi. Saprophytic, parasitic and symbiotic fungi.
- Reproductive processes (asexual, sexual). Characteristics and life cycles of fungi from the main phyla;
- Physicochemical factors that affect fungal growth. Media and growth conditions for the isolation, identification, and preservation of fungi. Enriched, selective and differential media. Fungi conservation methods.
- Identification of filamentous fungi and yeasts – morphological, biochemical, and molecular/genetic studies. Polyphasic approach.
- Fungi of clinical, environmental and food relevance. Biotechnological applications of fungi. Fermentation processes and industrial applications of fungi.
