Microorganisms, Biotechnology and Sustainability: The Power of the Unseen

Are you a student in Agricultural Engineering, Environmental Microbiology, Ecology, Biotechnology, or Environmental and Natural Sciences? This course is for you!

With an imminently practical methodology, this course will investigate the techniques adopted for the exploitation and reduction of waste through the use of environmental microorganisms, with particular reference to composting techniques. It will be also analyzed the use of microorganisms, deepening in the possibility of converting them into potential producers of antibiotics and substances of interest to agriculture and the agro-food industry. (see PDF):

The different modules would be taught by Doctors and Professors specialized in Biotechnology, Microbiology, Agricultural Engineering, Chemistry and Biochemistry. Also, during the course, you will visit some composting and microbiology related companies to learn from the in-site.

We cannot deny the importance of microorganisms: they are the origin of life on Earth, and they rule Science! Register now if you want to know the biotechnical potential of environmental microorganisms!

Note: the course can also be taught in Spanish.

Course leader

María José López López & Francisca Suárez Estrella

Target group

Undergraduated, master, and PhD students

Course aim

1. To study global climate change and the increase of greenhouse effect, caused byanthropogenic action, through the observation of variations suffered by microbial populations.

2. To study different techniques for the exploitation, reduction and recovery of waste through the use of environmental microorganisms, especially composting because it is a sustainable technique, economically and ecologically.

3. To study the biotechnological potential of environmental microorganisms, in particular, those isolated from composting piles, as potential producers of antibiotics and substances with an interest on agriculture.

4. To study the obtaining of microbial products and by-products related to the agri-food industry.