Module Description: the module will provide a broad exposure to microbial and mammalian production systems, taking a process-led approach to illustrate the integrated nature of the technologies used in the modern biotechnology industry. TheModule Description: the module will provide a broad exposure to microbial and mammalian production systems, taking a process-led approach to illustrate the integrated nature of the technologies used in the modern biotechnology industry. The module aim is to provide a theoretical and practical understanding of bioprocess technology, and the applications of industrial microbiology in the pharmaceutical and food sectors. The course emphasis will be on upstream processing aspects of the ‘Cell factory’. module aim is to provide a theoretical and practical understanding of bioprocess technology, and the applications of industrial microbiology in the pharmaceutical and food sectors. The course emphasis will be on upstream processing aspects of the ‘Cell factory’.
Lecture programme
Introduction to the history, scope and current status of biotechnology. Overview of microbial metabolism and its relevance to common fermentations. Microbial nutrition. Culture media. Cell banking. Regulation of enzyme activity. Regulation of transcription: induction and repression.
Growth kinetics of industrial micro-organisms and mammalian cells. Types of fermentor/bioreactor systems. The move towards disposable bioreactors. General design principles. Stirring and mixing. Gas exchange and mass transfer. Sterilization of nutrient solutions and gases. Cleaning-in-place. Scale-up and scale-down. Monitoring of bioreactor processes.
Production of primary metabolites: beer, single cell protein. Production of secondary metabolites: antibiotics. Therapeutic proteins: insulin case study. Production of polyclonal sera. Mammalian cell production of monoclonal antibodies.
Practical programme
Accessing information on biotechnology on the internet. A review of common mathematical calculations encountered in the biotechnology laboratory. Screening soil microorganisms for the production of antibiotics and enzymes of commercial value (amylases, proteases, lipases). Studying the kinetics of bacterial cell growth: determination of specific growth rate and doubling time for E. coli. Penicillium chrysogenum growth studies and penicillin production: introduction to the laboratory fermentor. P. chrysogenum fermentation monitoring cell growth, penicillin production and medium pH. Penicillin recovery: centrifugation, solvent extraction, evaporation. Measuring penicillin concentration (ELISA) and activity-potency (bioassay). Image analysis of fungal macromorphology (ImageJ).
Cell factory concept
Introduction to the history, scope and current status of biotechnology. Overview of microbial metabolism and its relevance to common fermentations. Microbial nutrition. Culture media. Cell banking. Regulation of enzyme activity. Regulation of transcription: induction and repression.
Bioreactor aspects
Growth kinetics of industrial micro-organisms and mammalian cells. Types of fermentor/bioreactor systems. The move towards disposable bioreactors. General design principles. Stirring and mixing. Gas exchange and mass transfer. Sterilization of nutrient solutions and gases. Cleaning-in-place. Scale-up and scale-down. Monitoring of bioreactor processes.
Case studies
Production of primary metabolites: beer, single cell protein. Production of secondary metabolites: antibiotics. Therapeutic proteins: insulin case study. Production of polyclonal sera. Mammalian cell production of monoclonal antibodies.
Practical programme
Accessing information on biotechnology on the internet. A review of common mathematical calculations encountered in the biotechnology laboratory. Screening soil microorganisms for the production of antibiotics and enzymes of commercial value (amylases, proteases, lipases). Studying the kinetics of bacterial cell growth: determination of specific growth rate and doubling time for E. coli. Penicillium chrysogenum growth studies and penicillin production: introduction to the laboratory fermentor. P. chrysogenum fermentation monitoring cell growth, penicillin production and medium pH. Penicillin recovery: centrifugation, solvent extraction, evaporation. Measuring penicillin concentration (ELISA) and activity-potency (bioassay). Image analysis of fungal macromorphology (ImageJ).
Learning outcomes will be achieved through a combination of lectures, practicals, problem solving exercises and self-directed learning.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Formal Examination | 60 |
| Other Assessment(s) | 40 |