Learning objectives
The course aims to provide a broad perspective and basic background knowledge on standard biotechnological processes used for the production of industrial compounds with the use of microorganisms, by exploiting their capacity to carry out biochemical transformations (fermentations) and to catalyze specific simple chemical conversions (bio-conversions). The description of the resulting biotechnological processes will be based on fundamental processes, with special emphasis on the main features and functionality of the key agents operating in such processes (microorganisms and enzymes) as well as on the underlying industrial plants. There will also be a section focusing on the biosynthesis of the major classes of therapeutic antibodies and on the methods utilized for the search of novel antibiotics. A related goal of this course is thus to provide the knowledge tools to understand the most innovative applications of Industrial Microbiology, including specific case-studies/application examples from the most recent scientific literature.
Prerequisites
Good basic knowldege in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Bio-organic Chemistry, Genetics and Microbiology.
Course unit content
1. Industrial processing microorganisms. Metabolic routes of biosynthetic processes. Search of primary and secondary metabolites. Genetic improvement and development of a “producer strain”. Culture media and substrates for industrial fermentation processes. Fermentation technology: laboratory and plant/machinery. Fermentation methods, types of bioreactors. Fermentation process planning. Isolation and purification of the final fermentation products.
2. Products and analyzed processes (biochemical bases, production methods, applied science, technological and market issues). Organic raw material (alcohol and chetones): ethanol, acetone, butanol, glycerol. Organic acids: citric acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, gluconic acid, itaconic acid. Amino acids: glutamic acid, aspartic acid, lysine, tryptophan, phenylalanine. Vitamins: B12, B2, C. Enzymes: amylases, proteases, lipases, lactases, L-asparaginase, penicillin acylase. Bioconversion processes: steroid hormones, amino acids, antibiotics, chemicals. Exocellular polysaccharides, SCP, bio-insecticidals. Secondary metabolism: functions and relationships with primary metabolism. Ergot alkaloids. Antibiotic producing microorganisms: morphological, biochemical and genetic aspects. Antibiotic biosynthesis: experimental methods and biosynthetic classes. Regulation and control of antibiotic biosynthesis. Gene organization of antibiotic-producing strains. Biosynthesis of the major classes of therapeutic antibiotics. Biotransformation-modified antibiotics. Searching for a novel antibiotic: from producing microorganism isolation to the patenting of the active compound.
Full programme
1. Industrial processing microorganisms. Metabolic routes of biosynthetic processes. Search of primary and secondary metabolites. Genetic improvement and development of a “producer strain”. Culture media and substrates for industrial fermentation processes. Fermentation technology: laboratory and plant/machinery. Fermentation methods, types of bioreactors. Fermentation process planning. Isolation and purification of the final fermentation products.
2. Products and analyzed processes (biochemical bases, production methods, applied science, technological and market issues). Organic raw material (alcohol and chetones): ethanol, acetone, butanol, glycerol. Organic acids: citric acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, gluconic acid, itaconic acid. Amino acids: glutamic acid, aspartic acid, lysine, tryptophan, phenylalanine. Vitamins: B12, B2, C. Enzymes: amylases, proteases, lipases, lactases, L-asparaginase, penicillin acylase. Bioconversion processes: steroid hormones, amino acids, antibiotics, chemicals. Exocellular polysaccharides, SCP, bio-insecticidals. Secondary metabolism: functions and relationships with primary metabolism. Ergot alkaloids. Antibiotic producing microorganisms: morphological, biochemical and genetic aspects. Antibiotic biosynthesis: experimental methods and biosynthetic classes. Regulation and control of antibiotic biosynthesis. Gene organization of antibiotic-producing strains. Biosynthesis of the major classes of therapeutic antibiotics. Biotransformation-modified antibiotics. Searching for a novel antibiotic: from producing microorganism isolation to the patenting of the active compound.
Bibliography
W. Crueger, A. Crueger, “Biotechnology: a textbook of industrial microbiology” second edition, ed. Sinauer Associates.
GLAZER, NIKAIDO “Microbial Biotechnology” Ed Freeman
A.L. Demain, N.A. Solomon. “Manual of industrial microbiology and biotechnology” ed. American Society for Microbiology (1986)
“Basic Biotechnology” ed. C. Ratledge, B. Kristiansen Cambridge
G.C. Lancini, F. Parenti, G.G.Gallo “Biochimica e biologia degli antibiotici” seconda edizione ed. Momento Medico
G.C. Lancini, R. Lorenzetti “Biotechnology of antibiotics and other bioactive microbial metabolites” ed. Plenum Publishing Corporation, 233 spring street N.Y.
Teaching material made available by the lecturer.
Teaching methods
The course, which is based on classroom lectures, will also include seminars and case-study presentations on specific topics. Slides used to illustrate concepts and applications will be made available to the students.
Assessment methods and criteria
Learning verification will be conducted through an intermediate written test focusing on the first part of the program. By passing this first test, the student will be admitted to a final oral examination centered on the second part of the program. Alternatively, the student can choose to take the entire exam in a single oral examination touching upon the entire program. This kind of examination will allow to verify the comprehension of the various topics addressed by the course, the knowledge acquired and also to test the ability of the student to make proper connections between different topics and specific issues. In this way, it will also be possible to evaluate the capacity of the student to communicate and present things in a logical and understandable manner.
Verification of Dublin descriptors:
-Knowledge, application of knowledge and learning ability are verified
during the discussion of specific exam issues.
.
-Communication ability is verified on the basis of the capacity of the student to answer the various questions and of the overall quality of his/her presentation.
Other information
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