Courses

Course title:Biology of endosymbionts and endosymbiotic organelles
Faculty:Faculty of Science
Department:Department of Biology and Ecology
Course code:KBE / WBEEO
Credits:5
Semester:Winter
Level of study:Mgr.
Format of study:Lecture 2 [Hours/Week]
Name of the lecturer:prof. Mgr. Marek Eliáš, Ph.D. (G)
Language:English
ISCED F broad:Natural sciences, mathematics and statistics
Annotation:The aim of the course is to provide a broad overview of the phenomenon of endosymbiosis and its diverse manifestations, including the extreme cases represented by endosymbiotic organelles (above all mitochondria and plastids). The topics covered include anoverview of different types of endosymbionts, prokaryotic as well as eukaryotic, in diverse hosts, their physiology and interaction with their hosts, characteristic evolutionary patterns associated with endosymbionts and their genomes. Selected cases of special importance(e.g. bacterial endosymbionts in sap-feeding insects, dinoflagellate endosymbionts of corals) are discussed in more depth as illustrative examples. Another major block of lectures is devoted to the mitochondrion, discussing its origin andfunctional diversification in eukaryotes, including cases of drastic modifications of mitochondria in anaerobic lineages. A similar approach is taken to introducing major aspects of the evolution and function of plastids, including the intricate history of secondary and other higher-order endosymbiosis. The topicsdiscussed for both major organelle types include evolution and diversity of their genomes, endosymbiotic gene transfer, molecular mechanisms of protein import, main functional pathways hosed by the organelles, and the functional differences between mitochondria and plastids of the major groups of eukaryote. The final part of the course is devoted to cases representing "nascent" organelles, such as the chromatophores of Paulinella.The material presented is based on the most recent literature, framed with relevant excursions to the history of the scientific inquiry related to endosymbiosis. Note: THE COURSE IS TAUGHT ONLY IN ODD-NUMBERED ACADEMIC YEARS (eg. 2021/2022, 2023/2024 etc.)