Course syllabus
Metabolic engineering
Metabolic Engineering
KMBN05, 7,5 credits, A (Second Cycle)
Valid for: 2021/22
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering, LTH
Decided by: PLED B/K
Date of Decision: 2021-04-14
General Information
Main field: Biotechnology.
Elective Compulsory for: MBIO2
Elective for: B4-mb, B4-pt
Language of instruction: The course will be given in English
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.
Learning outcomes
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)
- 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.
Competences and skills
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 analyse experimental work aiming at
characterising 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 student and researcher
contributions 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:
strain engineering, advanced genetic tools, metabolic pathways,
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 lab simulation, the objective is to critically
evaluate data arising from a set of experiments where a biofuel or
bulk chemical is produced from sugars with wild-type and
genetically engineered microorganisms. This includes the analysis
of growth and product formation, enzyme activity and omics data,
among others.
- exercises will be performed on carbon balance, redox
balance, flux analysis and metabolic control analysis.
Examination details
Grading scale: TH - (U,3,4,5) - (Fail, Three, Four, Five)
Assessment: A written examination, a graded oral presentation based on a literature study and a graded lab simulation report
The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.
Admission
Admission requirements:
The number of participants is limited to: 36
Selection: Completed university credits within the programme. Priority is given to students enrolled on programmes that include the course in their curriculum.
The course overlaps following course/s: KMB040
Reading list
- Compendium in metabolic engineering.
Contact and other information
Course coordinator: Professor Marie Gorwa-Grauslund, Marie-Francoise.Gorwa-Grauslund@tmb.lth.se
Teacher: Ed van Niel, ed.van_niel@tmb.lth.se
Course homepage: http://www.tmb.lth.se
Further information: The course contains obligatory sessions: introduction lecture, lab simulation sessions, literature study presentation.