Two component regulatory systems

24 setembro 2018, 09:00 • Jorge Humberto Gomes Leitão

The two component regulatory systems used by prokaryotes to sense and adapt  to environmental changes were presented and discussed. The EnvZ/OmpR and the PhoR/PhoB systems, involved in osmolarity and phosphate sensing, respectively were presented and discussed. The ArcA/ArcB two component regulatory system was introduced and discussed, together with the roles of SoxR, NarP/NarQ,  NarL/NarX and FnR, on the adaptation of E. coli metabolism to aerobic or anaerobic conditions. Bacterial responses to oxidative stress and heat shock were also presented and discussed.

Introductory notes on the Prokaryotic cell structure, organization and biochemistry

19 setembro 2018, 09:00 • Jorge Humberto Gomes Leitão

The origins of life and the evolution of different forms of life during planet Earth history were presented. The tree  with 3 domains of  life and the molecular basis for classification of life forms was discussed. The main differences between the prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell were revised and discussed. The basic chemical composition, structure and functioning of the prokaryotic cell was presented. The composition and biosynthesis of prokaryotic structures like peptidoglycan, lipopolysaccharide, flagella, teicoid acids, capsules and slimes was presented and discussed. 

International Microorganism Day 2018

17 setembro 2018, 09:00 • Isabel Sá-Correia

The students were invited to attend the commemorations of the International Microorganism Day 2018 (IMD 2018) at Instituto Superior Técnico (https://internationalmicroorganismday.wordpress.com/). IMD 2018 was organized on the 17th of September as an initiative of the Portuguese Society of Microbiology (SPM), in collaboration with Ordem dos Biólogos, Ciência Viva Agency, the Portuguese Society of Ecology and the high patronage of the Portuguese National Commision for UNESCO. The activities organized by SPM took place at IST, in connection to diverse activities organized around Portugal and Europe, promoted by several Microbiology Societies associated to FEMS (Federation of the European Microbiology Societies), that, together with the European Culture Collection Organization (ECCO) and the International Society for Microbial Ecology (ISME), sponsored the event.

This Day’s celebrations aim to disseminate and promote Microbiology as a field of professional activities, and to raise awareness among young people and the society in general on the essential role that a multitude of invisible living beings plays in our health, environment and quality of life, as well as of their biotechnological potential.

The full programme can be seen at https://internationalmicroorganismday.wordpress.com/program/