Microbial Ecology and Biodiversity
Description
This virtual lab explores how microbes live, interact and keep ecosystems running. Students count microbes in samples and calculate diversity indices, and test how microbes help, compete with and harm each other. They build a Winogradsky column to watch the nutrient cycles at work, and use plate counts, DNA sequencing, FISH and SIP to find out who is present and what they are doing. Interactive experiments and quizzes accompany each section, followed by a final exam and a certificate of completion.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this lab, students will be able to calculate and compare microbial diversity and explain the main types of microbial interactions, including syntrophy and quorum sensing. They will also be able to describe the role of microbes in the nutrient cycles, choose suitable culture-based and DNA-based tools to study them, and explain why diversity keeps ecosystems and bioreactors stable.