Microorganisms

Dr. Tattoo introduces the lecture, aiming to highlight the significance of studying bacteria, not only for preventing and treating illnesses but also for their broader applications.
Personal background: Dr. Tattoo's interest in microbiology developed during their Ph.D. project, which focused on mobile genetic elements called integrons that enable bacteria to share genes, aiding their adaptation but also contributing to antibiotic resistance.
Current research: The lab at Victoria University studies plant, animal, and human microbiomes, identifying microbes associated with health and disease, and investigates microbial responses to human pollutants and the movement of mobile genetic elements.

Classification of microbes.
Microbial capabilities and variability in the microbial world.
Mechanisms by which microbes acquire new abilities through gene transfer.
Case studies: Microbial super villains and superheros.
The importance of studying microbes for health, industrial applications, and more.

Microorganisms are life forms too small to be seen without microscopes.
Includes bacteria, archaea, and some eukaryotes; viruses are sometimes included.
Microbes are studied for their role in causing infectious diseases.
Infectious diseases are caused by bacteria, viruses and fungi.

Microbes were the first life forms on Earth and are found in diverse environments (e.g., deep underground, hot springs).
They constitute a large proportion of life and are essential for waste breakdown and element cycling.
Microbes establish symbiotic relationships that are vital for their host's health.
Historical uses: Microbes have been used in making wine and bread.
Modern uses: Microbes are used to make useful products and bioremediation.
The concept of the microbiome highlights the understanding that we are covered in microbes.

Genetic diversity: Microorganisms constitute a significant portion of the planet's genetic diversity.
Prokaryotes: Bacteria and archaea.
Eukaryotes: Also include microorganisms.
Structural diversity: Microbes exhibit a variety of shapes and sizes and can form complex structures.
Energy sources: Microbes can use various energy sources, including chemicals and light.
Chemoautotrophs: Inorganic substances.
Photo synthetic: Energy from light.
Microbes in hydrothermal vents utilize chemicals like hydrogen sulfide as energy sources, supporting complex communities.

Microbes often live attached to surfaces forming biofilms.
Biofilms: Microbial communities attached to surfaces, encased in a slime layer, facilitating communication and protection.
Dental plaque: An example of a biofilm.
Biofilms protect microbes from antibiotics.
Microbes exhibit diverse relationships: Commensalism, parasitism, and mutualism.
Commensal: Don't do any harm to us.
Parasites: If get out of control, will make us sick.
Mutualistic: Helping us out.

Microbes can rapidly change their genomes by acquiring new genetic information.
Horizontal gene transfer: The transfer of genetic material between organisms, facilitating rapid adaptation.
Strains: Different strains of E. coli can have different genome sizes and capabilities due to varying gene sets.
Mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer: Transformation, transduction, and conjugation.
Acquisition of virulence factors: Harmless microbes can become pathogenic by acquiring genes that enable them to cause disease.
Virulence Factors: Factors that allow the Micro to produce disease in its host.
Conjugation: Bacteria directly transfer plasmids (circular DNA molecules) via a pilus.
Transduction: Viruses (bacteriophages) transfer DNA between bacteria.
CRISPR systems: Bacterial defense mechanism against mobile DNA.

E. Coli: A well-studied microbe found in the human gut.
In the lower intestine lining.
Normally commensal: Providing benefits without causing harm.
It is easy to grow and manipulate genetically.
Vitamin K is provided.
Helps digest food we can't digest on our own.
Genomic plasticity: Allows E. coli to acquire new genes.
Pathogenic E. coli: Can acquire genes for invasion, toxin secretion, and iron uptake.
E. coli O157:H7: A food poisoning strain acquired through horizontal gene transfer.
Shiga toxin: A toxin produced by E. coli O157:H7 that damages the kidneys.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs): Caused by E. coli strains with factors for adherence and antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotic resistance: Increasing difficulty in treating E. coli infections due to acquired resistance genes.

E. Coli can be engineered to produce useful substances, e.g., human insulin.
E. Coli expresses human insulin.
30\% of various conditions are made in E. Coli.
Synthetic biology: Designing microbes to convert waste into useful products like biofuels.

Microbiology is important for addressing infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance.
Research is needed to understand and combat the movement of resistance genes.
Studying microbiomes can lead to the development of new probiotics and biotechnological applications.
Course offerings: Second-year microbiology and molecular biology course, third-year applied medical microbiology course.