The Module of the Course dedicated to the Laboratory of General Microbiology is designed to provide students with an overview of traditional methodologies and latest innovative procedures in order to become able in manipulating prokaryotic (bacteria) and eukaryotic (yeasts and fungi) microorganisms for experimental studies, by adopting appropriate safety behaviors.

The programme of the lectures includes: 1) Basic laboratory techniques for the isolation, the cultivation and the characterization of microbial cultures; 2) Principles and practice of
microscopy; 3) Main staining techniques for microbial specimen preparations
capable of both improving differential visualisation and differentiating organisms and their cell structures; 4) Procedures for the massive cultivation of microorganisms based on specific nutritional requirements and physical-chemical factors, associated to procedures for microbial counting; 5) Presentation of the main biochemical essays aimed at to highlighting the different enzymatic activities of the major microbial groups for their identification and taxonomic attribution; 6) Protocols for the isolation of soil microorganisms, associated with the different biogeochemical cycles of the main elements as well as with the presence of organic pollutants (e.g. hydrocarbons) or inorganic contaminants (e.g. heavy metals); 7) Techniques for the identification of microorganisms by culture independent molecular methods.

The frequency of not less than 75% of the lectures is requested along with the necessity to pass a final written examination, concerning laboratory techniques described in the lecrures.