Learning objectives

The course aims at providing students with an in-depth knowledge of microbially catalyzed reactions in different environmental contexts in order to understand the potential that microbial populations have in influencing ecological niches with their own metabolism and to be, in turn, conditioned by the physical-chemical and tropho-edaphic parameters of the habitats which they live in. All that above with the objective of transferring competences for the exploitation microbial biocatalysis in actions aimed at clean up of polluted sites, as a consequence of human activities. Furthermore, different processes of phytoremediation for the reclamation of soils and waters polluted with heavy metals and organic compounds will be analysed and plant species suitable for this goal will be described. The role of plant-microorganism interactions as well as the potential of biotechnological applications for the environmental reclamation will be explained.