Universität Wien

300125 VO Symbiosis - concepts and model systems (Part 1) (2025W)

3.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 30 - Biologie
Moodle
Fr 12.12. 09:45-11:15 Seminarraum 1.5, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.012, Ebene 1

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Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).
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Details

Language: English

Examination dates

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Please note that the above dates are automatically generated. See Moodle for the detailed schedule (contents and lecturers). All lectures will be held in presence to foster active participation.

  • Friday 03.10. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 1.5, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.012, Ebene 1
  • Friday 10.10. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 1.5, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.012, Ebene 1
  • Friday 17.10. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 1.5, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.012, Ebene 1
  • Friday 24.10. 08:00 - 11:15 Seminarraum 1.5, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.012, Ebene 1
  • Friday 14.11. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 1.5, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.012, Ebene 1
  • Friday 21.11. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 1.5, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.012, Ebene 1
  • Friday 28.11. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 1.5, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.012, Ebene 1
  • Friday 05.12. 08:00 - 09:30 Seminarraum 1.5, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.012, Ebene 1
  • Friday 19.12. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 1.5, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.012, Ebene 1
  • Friday 09.01. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 1.5, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.012, Ebene 1
  • Friday 16.01. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 1.5, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.012, Ebene 1
  • Friday 23.01. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 1.5, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.012, Ebene 1
  • Friday 30.01. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 1.5, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.012, Ebene 1

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Symbiosis is one of the driving forces in evolution. The eukaryotic cell and thus all plants, animals and fungi arose from a symbiosis between ancient prokaryotes and up to today, microbial symbioses pervade our planet.
This lecture series focuses on symbiotic associations between microbes and protists, plants, and animals, including humans.
Topics of introductory lectures include definitions of symbiosis and terminology, diversity of microbial symbioses and their habitats, the eukaryotic cell and endosymbiosis theory, transmission processes, host immune response to microbial symbionts, genome evolution and lateral gene transfer, as well as current evolutionary and game theory concepts of interspecies cooperation. Introductory lectures also discuss immunological, epigenetic, and cell biological underlying microbial symbioses.
Lectures on selected model systems discuss the ecological and evolutionary forces driving symbiotic associations at the molecular level, underscoring the importance of symbiosis from amoebas to humans.

Conceptual Lectures (mostly held during WS):
Some moments of confusion – what is symbiosis? Terminology and characterization of symbiosis
Should I stay or should I go - Immunity basics for symbiologists
Symbiont transmission
Symbiont cell biology
How symbionts influence the host epigenome (and vice versa)
God bless endosymbiosis: The origin of the eukaryotic cell

Model system Lectures (mostly held during Summer Semester, in Symbiosis - part 2):
A sea of symbionts: cnidarian symbioses
Solar powered sea slugs
Thanks to hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen, methane, carbon monoxide) - an overview of chemosynthetic symbioses
Hot and toxic - giant tubeworms at deep-sea hydrothermal vents
Clam and mussel symbioses in chemosynthesis-based ecosystems
Ship worms on wood - zombie worms on bones
Do bury your head in the sand: symbiotic marine nematodes, flatworms and ciliates
Sponge symbioses
Fiat lux: the squid-Vibrio symbiosis

Assessment and permitted materials

Written open book exam in presence. Use of personal notes and print-out of uploaded material is allowed. Use of electronic media is NOT allowed.
Please also note that, even if you have studied the same notes as your colleague, your answers should not be identical to their answers.
Duration of the exam: 1.5 h
The exam comprises four questions (one question per lecturer). Each question is graded by one lecturer and the average of all four grades (between 1 and 5) is the final grade.

If you need an extra exam date please contact:
silvia.bulgheresi@univie.ac.at

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Participants get familiar with our current understanding and perception of symbiotic associations. They have an overview of the molecular mechanisms shared by many symbiotic systems and possess in-depth knowledge of the presented model systems, including their ecology and evolution.

Examination topics

Content of lectures (see Moodle platform)

Reading list

Selected literature and transcripts of lectures are available online for the participants (see Moodle platform)

Association in the course directory

MBO 7, MEC-9, MES5, MMEI II-1.2, MMEI II-2.2, UF MA BU 01, UF MA BU 04, MMIC 4, MMIC 5

Last modified: Tu 11.11.2025 14:07