MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND MICROBIAL FOOD SAFETY

Course Description

The course aimed at providing a basic food safety and hygiene information in terms of molecular biology. At the beginning students will understand the importance of food safety, the characteristics of food-borne illness, methods of waste disposal, importance of pest control, the nature of food safety hazards (microbiological, physical, chemical and allergenic), the types, sources, vehicles and routes of contamination. Later on the lecture will focus on genes - their structure and function - therefore, students will study nucleic acid structure and the mechanics of replication, repair, transcription, and translation in any microorganisms related with foodstuff. Students will also learn how to use molecular biology and molecular biologic methods to analyse the presence of biological, chemical and physical contaminants.

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND MICROBIAL FOOD SAFETY

Evaluation Tools (Active Term)

Course outcomes

1. 01 Explain molecular aspects
2. 02 Identify microbiota
3. 03 Explain Foodborne illness and food poisoning
4. 04 Explain what is safe food
5. 05 Implement molecular techniques to microbial food safety
6. 06 Apply methods for detection

Course Syllabus

Reference Books & Course Materials

1. 01 Microbial Food Safety: An Introduction , Omar A. Oyarzabal, Steffen Backert , Springer, 2016 , ISBN : 978-1493939541
2. 02 Global Food Safety: Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements , Saher Islam , Devarajan Thangadurai , Jeyabalan Sangeetha , Natália Cruz-Martins , 2023 , ISBN : 978-1774910108
3. 03 S.J. Forsythe. The Microbiology of Safe Food. 2000. ISBN: 9780470999431
4. 04 Oyarzabar, Omar A, Backert, Steffen. Microbial Food Safety. 2012

Learning Outcomes

1. L01 Demonstrate an understanding of food preservation and basic methods SOLO 0
2. L02 Examine microorganisms with regards to food safety SOLO 0
3. L03 Apply fundamentals and practical skills of food microbiology SOLO 0

Program Outcomes

1. P01 PO1: To identify and use theoretical and applied knowledge as well as up-to-date/cutting edge laboratory techniques and analyses methods in the field of molecular biology and genetics.
2. P02 PO2: To identify problems related to molecular biology and genetics.
3. P03 PO3: To design and conduct experiments through hypothesis driven scientific research; and to analyze and interpret data to find solutions to molecular biology and genetics related problems.
4. P04 PO4: To work independently and as part of research group in a multidisciplinary team setting
5. P05 PO5: To apply the principles of scientific research ethics and academic integrity
6. P06 PO6: To interpret, explain and present primary scientific literature and novel findings in oral, written and visual presentation formats
7. P07 PO7: To evaluate experimental data and theoretical findings by using critical and analytical thinking techniques.
8. P08 PO8: To use the currently acceptable process of preparing research proposals and manuscripts for publishing in scientific journals.
9. P09 PO9: To apply the principles of molecular biology and genetics in generating/finding solutions to social problems / issues.
10. P10 PO10: To identify and implement environmental and laboratory safety procedures.
11. P11 PO11: To identify and apply the necessary professional skill set in projects and jobs involving independent and competitive careers in academia, industrial, medical or clinical research, science education, scientific writing and communication, health care, health care policy and civil service.

Po-Lo Matrix