Microbial Biotechnology
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| LIFE2020 | Life Sciences | 2 | 10 | Spring UK |
- Code
- LIFE2020
- School
- Life Sciences
- Level
- 2
- Credits
- 10
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
The course will cover the key groups of eukaryotic and prokaryotic microorganisms relevant to microbial biotechnology, principles of GM and strain improvement in pro- and eukaryotes. Microbial biotechnology in the food industry, including dairy and alcohol products, organic acids. Relevance to agriculture, including biological control. The pharmaceutical industry, e.g. microbiological production of therapeutic entities. Microbial production of industrial ethanol and other biofuels. The impact of "omics", systems biology, synthetic biology and effects of stress on industrial microorganisms.
Target Students
Whilst the module is open to all, Life Sciences students will be given priority and students may be removed from the module if capacity is reached.Students should have studied aFirst year module(s) with basic microbiology content; for example, Genes Molecules and Cells (LIFE1029) and Life on Earth (LIFE1030) or Molecular Biology of the Cell (BIOS2027)
Classes
This module may be delivered through lectures, seminars, workshops and labs etc
Assessment
- 100% Exam 1 (2-hour): Written based essay exam
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
The aim of the course is to describe the use of yeasts, filamentous fungi and bacteria in biotechnology as it relates to the food, agriculture, medicine and other industries. The course will demonstrate how an understanding of the biology and genetics of microorganisms allows their use as cell factories for the production, and models for the discovery, of enzymes and metabolites. The course will also explore how microbial activities themselves can be exploited in processes ranging from food production to biocontrol of disease-causing organisms. The course will cover the key types of product, metabolic pathways, their regulation at the gene level, and methods for strain improvement including the use of recombinant DNA technology for ameliorating product yield and the synthesis of new products. The impact of genomics and synthetic biology on microbial biotechnology will be presented.Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding of
A2 (current trends and developments between Biology and other disciplines)
A3. (the importance of Biology in human health and disease and its relevance to biotechnology)
A4. (appropriate terminology, nomenclature and classification) and A5 (genetics). Other aspects are also relevant, e.g.A6,A7 and A10.
Intellectual Skills -
The ability to critically analyse and interpret published information and data (B1)
Think independently while giving due weight to the arguments of others (B2).
The course will help students to understand complex ideas and relate them to specific problems or questions (B3)
Acquire substantial quantities of information systematically, process it effectively, and draw appropriate conclusions (B4).
Transferable Skills
The ability to communicate effectively in writing (D1),
Organise and manage your working time, schedule tasks,
Meet deadlines (D3)
Work productively with others (D7).