BB2560 Advanced Microbiology and Metagenomics 7.5 credits

Recent years have seen an explosion of large datasets generated on microbial communities in natural and industrial environments, thanks to advances in metagenomics and related technologies. These new data can give insight into human health and disease, or the fitness of a natural environment. In addition, these data can inform biotechnological interventions into the microbiota for improved digestion or food production, or can be a source of new industrially relevant enzymes.
The course will cover five key themes:

T1. Introduction to advanced microbiology, and metagenomic methodology

T2. Metagenomics for enzyme discovery in biotechnology

T3. The human microbiome – roles in health and disease

T4. Current and emerging methods for microbial diagnostics in the clinical setting

T5. The environmental microbiome – function and metagenomic monitoring approaches

After passing the course, the student shall demonstrate profound understanding of selected microbial ecosystems and be able to design experiments and use meta-analysis in different microbiology applications. The specific learning objectives are to be able to:

• Explain and investigate the roles of microbes in natural ecosystems
• Explain the roles of the human microbiota in health and disease
• Describe how metagenomics can be used to diagnose environmental and human health
• Discuss the societal and scientific challenges with antimicrobial resistance
• Plan and conduct a microbial community analysis, including a full work-flow from sampling to DNA extraction and in silico data analysis, with discussion of safe sample handling and ethical concerns,
• Explain how metagenomics can be used for enzyme discovery.

Requirements for program students at KTH:
At least 150 ECTS from year 1, 2 and 3, of which at least 100 ECTS from year 1 and 2 and bachelor's degree work must be completed. The 150 ECTS must include completed courses in a program that includes: at least 20 ECTS in chemistry, 20 ECTS in biotechnology, biochemistry and molecular biology.

Requirements for non-programme students:
A total of 20 ECTS in biochemistry, microbiology and genetics / molecular biology. 20 ECTS in chemistry, as well as documented knowledge of English corresponding to English B.

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

• LAB1 - Laboratory course, 2.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
• TEN1 - Written exam, 4.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
• ÖVN1 - Exercise, 1.0 credits, grading scale: P, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Some lectures will be mandatory as they will involve student assessment tasks. Students who are unable to attend these compulsory lectures will be asked to submit alternative written assignments.

Students are required to PASS the LAB1 assignment (lab report) and to PASS the in-class exercises (OVN1) in order to pass the course. Students are also required to PASS the final exam (TEN1) to pass the course.
The final grade a student achieves is determined by their result on TEN1.

Anders Andersson

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.