Syllabus
Please note that the lectures are given in Czech language only.
1. Introduction Cell cycles and life cycles, methods of cell cycle analysis.
2. Cell cycle of E. coli Overlapping cycles, replication, role of membrane and cytoskelet, septum formation.
3. Sporulation of Bacillus subtilis Sporulation phases, switch of vegetative cycle to sporulation, two-component regulatory system, temporal and spatial regulation of sporulation, role of membrane, sigma factors.
4. Differantiation of Streptomyces Airy mycelium formation, role of extracellular signal molecules.
5. Cell cycle of Caulobacter crescentus Asymmetric cell cycle, role of two-component regulatory system.
6. Myxobacteria – social behaviour Gliding; model of gliding, rippling, cooperative nutrient degradation, fruiting body formation, role of extracellular signal molecules.
7. Cell cycle of yeasts Cell components important during cell division. Regulation of mitosis (p34, cyclines, replication).
8. Life cycle of yeasts Mating types of yeasts and their change, conjugation (mating), meiosis (sporulation), pseudohyphal growth, apoptosis. Signal pathways participating in these processes and their regulation.
9. Yeast cell polarity Polar growth of yeast. Different features of haploid and diploid cells. Septins and other cell polarity proteins. External factors affecting cell polarity.
10. Life cycle of Dictyostelium discoideum Regulation of cell cycle, differentiation and spore formation.
11. Chemotaxis Regulation of chemotaxis in E. coli.
12. More examples of “metazoan” behaviour of microorganisms. Quorum sensing bacteria, biofilms, formation and organisation of microbial colonies. References: Reviews and journal papers, actualised every year
Annotation
The lecture is focused on basic principles regulating cell and life cycles, differentiation and some other cellular processes like chemotaxis, cell polarity establishment and others. Individual cellular processes are documented on model organisms, predominantly prokaryotic or eukaryotic microorganisms.
In particular cases, analogous processes in higher eukaryots are emphasised. The course is recommended for students in 4th or 5th year of the study and requires the knowledge of molecular biology and genetic engineering.