Syllabus 2011/2012 KMB040

Syllabus academic year 2011/2012
(Created 2011-09-01.)

METABOLIC ENGINEERING

KMB040

Credits: 7,5. Grading scale: TH. Cycle: A (Second Cycle). Main field: Technology. Language of instruction: The course will be given in English. Alternative for: MBIO1. Optional for: B4mb, B4pt. Course coordinator: Professor Marie Gorwa-Grauslund, Marie-Francoise.Gorwa-Grauslund@tmb.lth.se, Applied Microbiology. Prerequisites: KBK041 Gene technology, KMB060 Microbiology. The course might be cancelled if the number of applicants is less than 8. The number of participants is limited to 30 Selection criteria: Credits remaining for the degree. Assessment: A written examination as well as a graded lab report and a graded oral presentation based on a literature study. Home page: http://www.tmb.lth.se.

Aim
Based on previous knowledge obtained from courses particularly in gene technology, mathematics and microbiology, the course aims to introduce the students to the field of metabolic engineering, discuss tools and strategies used in the field and give the students insight in how the technology can be used in white biotechnology.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

· understand the fundamentals of metabolic engineering tools (including mass balances, metabolic flux modeling, metabolic control analysis, omics)

· understand how these tools can be applied for the analysis of metabolically engineered microorganisms

· have acquired in depth knowledge on metabolic pathways and their regulation and on how metabolic pathways can be engineered for the improvement of various bioprocesses.

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

Obtain skills to

· show ability to carry out relevant calculations concerning mass balances, metabolic flux analysis, metabolic control analysis in biological systems

· show ability to carry out experimental work to characterize genetically modified microorganisms and corresponding control organisms

· show ability to understand and master the terminology in the field in verbal and written form and to organise and structure the scientific content into a whole

· show ability to critically report, both in oral and writing forms results from scientific papers and/or his/her own experimental work

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

- show ability to do assessments of other students' performances in the field of metabolic engineering

- show ability to relate and distinguish between evidence and argument

Contents

the course includes lectures on the following topics: starin engineering, metabolic fluxes, metabolic control analysis, metabolic flux analysis, omics and systems biology.
the literature study consists of a thorough study of research strategies on a specific topic within metabolic engineering.
in the practicals, a biofuel or a bulk chemical is produced from sugars with wild-type and genetically engineered micro-organisms. The practical exercise entails the preparation of fermentation substrates, growth and product formation, calculations of mass balances, yields and productivities based on experimental data and critical evaluation of the results.
exercises will be performed on carbon balance, redox balance, flux analysis and metabolic control analysis.

Literature
Compendium in metabolic engineering