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