Presentation

The Microbiology Section of the Biology, Health and Environment Department of the University of Barcelona was created in the 1930s, and since then it has been dedicated to education and research in Microbiology. The academic staff is composed of seven associated professors and nine assistant professors. The educational activities of the Section mainly take place in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, where we are responsible for different courses in the Pharmacy degree (Microbiology I, Microbiology II, Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Analyses, Clinical Microbiology and Parasitology, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Industrial Microbiology, Virology and Human Health), Food Science and Technology degree (General Microbiology, Food Microbiology and Parasitology, Practicals in Food Analysis, Food Biotechnology) and Human Nutrition and Dietetics degree (Microbiology and Parasitology). The Unit is also involved in teaching Master’s degree courses of the University of Barcelona (Drug Research, Development and Control, Food Research, Development and Innovation, Molecular Biotechnology, and Science and Integrated Management of Water) and a postgraduate course in Pharmaceutical Specialization in Galenics and Industrial Pharmacy.

The main research lines developed by the Section are: studies of microbial biofilms; taxonomy and molecular phylogeny of bacteria; bacterial population genetics; biotransformation of agro-industrial wastes into high value chemicals; research and characterization of surfactants of bacterial origin; isolation and characterization of Antarctic microorganisms for the production of biopolymers and Helicobacter pylori genetic markers associated with gastric cancer risk. The Section is responsible for the microbiological control of bars and restaurants belonging to the University of Barcelona and collaborates with Pharmaceutical, Cosmetic and Food companies.

Mª Carme Fusté Munné

Head of the Departmental Section