Head of laboratory: Prof. Dr. Dirk Schwartz
Assistant: Thomas Horn

 In the Molecular Biology laboratory, students acquire basic knowledge of microbiology and molecular biology. In the practicals, they learn how to isolate microorganisms from a variety of samples, how to set up a pure culture and how to carry out a phenotypical characterisation of the resulting isolates using microscopic, biochemical and physiological methods. Selected bacteria are tested to determine their ability to produce effective, natural, antimicrobial substances. Further, students carry out a phylogenetic classification of microorganisms by means of 16S rDNA analysis. They learn how to isolate DNA and then undertake its characterisation using restriction analysis and agarosis-gel-electrophoresis. During the cloning of DNA fragments, different methods are used to insert the DNA into bacterial cells.

Incubation cupboards, incubation shaker, safety workbench,  contrasting phase microscopes, microcentrifuges, PCR apparatus, gel-electrophoresis apparatus, gel-documentation equipment, heating systems, water baths, electroporation apparatus