Applied Biocatalysis
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The course is aimed to provide to the students the basic knowledge necessary to develop a bioprocess based on the application of enzymes and/or microbial cells, which needs to gather tools across different biotechnological techniques. Specific objects of the course are the following:
- Learning how to apply the biotechnological techniques learned during the first year of the master degree for the evolution of enzymes or microbial cells into efficient biocatalysts;
- Learning from consolidated and/or more innovative and recent successful examples on how a biocatalytic process is developed and optimized;
- Assessing the most suited technologies for intensifying a biocatalytic process
- Learning how to apply the biotechnological techniques learned during the first year of the master degree for the evolution of enzymes or microbial cells into efficient biocatalysts;
- Learning from consolidated and/or more innovative and recent successful examples on how a biocatalytic process is developed and optimized;
- Assessing the most suited technologies for intensifying a biocatalytic process
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student will know why biocatalyses is strategic for the bioeconomy in a bio-based industry context. The student will be familiar with the essential steps in the development of biocatalytic processes from concept to completion, by the application of the best suited methodologies (protein engineering, metabolic engineering, immobilization, continuous processes) to develop an innovative biocatalytic process of industrial interest. The focus will be on bioprocesses relevant in the agri-food and bioenergy fields.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
The course will be delivered in hybrid mode.
Lessons will be held both in the classroom (in person) and by videoconference using Microsoft Teams (remotely) according to the scheduled time (synchronous).
The face-to-face lessons will be approximately 50%, also depending on the general health situation; depending on the regional health conditions, the lessons given in the presence may also be to a different extent from what is expected.
Students who do not participate in face-to-face lessons will still be able to carry out the same online activity in order to develop the same skills acquired through the activities proposed in the classroom.
The lesson times and all the details of the activities will be published on the study course website (https://scienzealimentari.cdl.unimi.it/it) by the start of the lessons.
Any updates will also be communicated through direct notices to students (consult often the mail @ students.unimi.it).
Also often consult the ARIEL teaching site for specific notices.
The methods and criteria for participating in face-to-face lessons, which require a reservation with the appropriate app, will be published in time in the online course.
The lab practices will be carried out face-to-face
Lessons will be held both in the classroom (in person) and by videoconference using Microsoft Teams (remotely) according to the scheduled time (synchronous).
The face-to-face lessons will be approximately 50%, also depending on the general health situation; depending on the regional health conditions, the lessons given in the presence may also be to a different extent from what is expected.
Students who do not participate in face-to-face lessons will still be able to carry out the same online activity in order to develop the same skills acquired through the activities proposed in the classroom.
The lesson times and all the details of the activities will be published on the study course website (https://scienzealimentari.cdl.unimi.it/it) by the start of the lessons.
Any updates will also be communicated through direct notices to students (consult often the mail @ students.unimi.it).
Also often consult the ARIEL teaching site for specific notices.
The methods and criteria for participating in face-to-face lessons, which require a reservation with the appropriate app, will be published in time in the online course.
The lab practices will be carried out face-to-face
Course syllabus
- Introduction to biocatalysis: why? how? The myth and the reality (0.5 CFU);
- Biocatalysis: how enzymes work (0.5 CFU);
- Biocatalysis at work: biotransformation of feedstocks into added-value molecules (0.5 CFU);
- Enzyme discovery and high throughput fermentation (0.5 CFU);
- Biocatalyst preparation (0.5 CFU):
- whole cells or isolated enzymes?
- immobilization;
- Techniques in biocatalysis: how biocatalysts can be improved? (1.0 CFU);
- protein engineering, directed evolution
- metabolic engineering
- Examples of industrial biocatalytic processes (1.0 CFU);
- Biocatalytic reactor design and operation (0.50 CFU);
- Lab practice (1.00 CFU)
- Biocatalysis: how enzymes work (0.5 CFU);
- Biocatalysis at work: biotransformation of feedstocks into added-value molecules (0.5 CFU);
- Enzyme discovery and high throughput fermentation (0.5 CFU);
- Biocatalyst preparation (0.5 CFU):
- whole cells or isolated enzymes?
- immobilization;
- Techniques in biocatalysis: how biocatalysts can be improved? (1.0 CFU);
- protein engineering, directed evolution
- metabolic engineering
- Examples of industrial biocatalytic processes (1.0 CFU);
- Biocatalytic reactor design and operation (0.50 CFU);
- Lab practice (1.00 CFU)
Prerequisites for admission
The course should be attended by students after the first semester, when courses concerning molecular methodologies, fermentation, and structure and function of biomolecules are given.
You can contact the teacher to obtain indications about texts and bibliographic references that can be studied to fill eventual knowledge gaps.
You can contact the teacher to obtain indications about texts and bibliographic references that can be studied to fill eventual knowledge gaps.
Teaching methods
The course will be delivered in hybrid mode, with synchronous online lectures using Microsoft Teams and in-presence lessons with group activities.
Students who do not participate in face-to-face lessons will carry out an alternative online activity that will allow them to develop the same skills as the activity proposed in the classroom.
The schedule of lessons and all the details of the activities will be published in the online course. Any updates will also be communicated through announcements in the online course (please read often mail @studenti.unimi.it)
The methods and criteria for attending face-to-face lessons will be published in time in the online course. Booking via app is required to attend the lesson in presence.
Lab practices will be held in presence
Students who do not participate in face-to-face lessons will carry out an alternative online activity that will allow them to develop the same skills as the activity proposed in the classroom.
The schedule of lessons and all the details of the activities will be published in the online course. Any updates will also be communicated through announcements in the online course (please read often mail @studenti.unimi.it)
The methods and criteria for attending face-to-face lessons will be published in time in the online course. Booking via app is required to attend the lesson in presence.
Lab practices will be held in presence
Teaching Resources
Notes and monographs made available by the teacher
Assessment methods and Criteria
The student will be assessed through an oral presentation of a case-study chosen and selected with the teacher and after a discussion (20 minutes) which will encompass different issues and topics discussed during the course. You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
CHIM/11 - CHEMISTRY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY OF FERMENTATION - University credits: 6
Laboratories: 8 hours
Lessons: 44 hours
Lessons: 44 hours
Professor:
Molinari Francesco Enzo
Professor(s)
Reception:
by personal appointment
via Luigi Mangiagalli 25, DeFENS building, third floor