The Chair of Microbial and Molecular Biosciences is an organisational unit for teaching, research, knowledge transfer and professional issues in the fields of microbial and molecular biosciences.
Our mission is:
- to develop knowledge in the fields of microbial and molecular biosciences (microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics and biotechnology) by studying microbes from various natural and industrial environments using classical microbiological approaches, modern molecular biology methods and bioinformatics tools;
- knowledge transfer through the development and implementation of courses in the field of microbial and molecular biosciences in study programmes at all university levels: first-cycle undergraduate, second-cycle master’s and third-cycle doctoral programmes;
- knowledge transfer through the implementation of continuous professional development and lifelong learning in the fields of microbial and molecular biosciences for biology and natural sciences teachers;
- participation in working groups to solve professional issues in the field of microbial and molecular biosciences in private, public and government institutions;
- participation in professional societies (Slovenian Microbiological Society, Slovenian Biochemical Society, Slovenian Genetic Society) and in public discussions in the fields of microbial and molecular biosciences.
Laboratory:
Within the Chair of Microbial and Molecular Biosciences, there is the Laboratory for Microbial and Molecular Analyses, which enables modern research in this field.
Research areas with selected publications:
- Molecular biological studies of bacteria, including the bacterium Escherichia coli, which is known for its extraordinary biodiversity, since it contains strains that live in a mutualistic relationship with their host, as well as strains that cause intestinal infections, as well as strains that cause extraintestinal infections at different anatomical sites.
- Link to the paper.
A scanning electron micrograph of a bacterial E. coli cell attached to a 19-day-old Caco-2 intestinal cell (image source: Introductory Chapter: The Versatile Escherichia coli | IntechOpen)
- Development and application of advanced techniques for the isolation and identification of microbes from different (natural) environments, with a focus on the use of microbes and their componenets in sustainable and industrially relevant processes.
- Link to the paper.
Formation of crystals visible to the naked eye on a solid medium in a Petri dish. The crystals are formed by a specific protein of a bacterium isolated from the leaves of white mulberry (Morus alba), which is released into the medium.
