COURSE OUTLINE

Biol 5801


Biotechnology Aspects of Microbial Ecology
I.  Cultivation of Microorganisms
     A.  fungi (morels, shitake, oyster mushrooms)

II.  Mineral Extraction
  A.  bioleaching
     B.  tertiary recovery of oil

III.  Energy Production
  A.  methane, alcohol, and hydrogen

IV.  Soil Management 
  A.  control of nutrient cycling
     B.  composting

V.  Waste Management
  A.  wastewater disposal (organic matter removal, pathogens and disenfection, alternative 
                systems like lagoons, constructed wetlands)
     B.  landfills 

VI.  Water treatment

VII.  Bioremediation
  A.  Microbial control of pest species (Bacillus thuringiensis, Dutch elm disease, viral control 
                 of rabbits, cyanobacterial blooms)
     B.  Controlling biodeterioration
     C.  Inorganic pollutants
     D.  Organic pollutants

VIII.  Application of Genetic Engineering
  A.  GEMS (genetically engineered microogansims) for agricultural and bioremediation 
                purposes
     B.  mer-lux reporter system for following GEMS