Microbial ecology of the gastrointestinal system
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Course Description
COURSE CONTENT
Human gastrointestinal microbiota. The role of the microbial population in gastrointestinal system. The metabolic activity of intestinal microbiota. Useful and harmful effects of the indigenous colon microbiota. The impact of nutrition on intestinal microbiota. Effect of antibiotic therapy on the gastrointestinal microbiota. Metabolism of non-digestible carbohydrates in the colon. The production of short chain fatty acids. Production of exopolysaccharides by intestinal lactic acid bacteria. Molecular interactions of indigenous microbiota with intestinal epithelium and their impact on the mucosal immune system. The application of molecular methods in determining the composition and activity of the intestinal microbiota: qualitative and quantitative analysis of intestinal lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria. The role of the gastrointestinal microbiota in resistance to infectious diseases and therapeutic role of probiotics and prebiotics.
Lectures
Lectures: 10
Seminars: 10
Description of course requirements: Presentation and defense of seminar and oral exam
Literature
| 1. | Fuller, R., Perdigon, G. (2003). Gut fora, nutrition, immunity and health, Blackwell Publishing, Oxford. |
| 2. | Tsakalidou, E., Papadimitriou, K. (2011). Stress responses of lactic acid bacteria, Springer, New York. |