Microbial Biotechnology BIPH 3223

Course description:

This course covers how microbes are used to manufacture components of food and consumer products, biologics and biomaterials using recombinant DNA and is organized following the steps in discovery and development of biologics.  An introduction to microbial growth kinetics is included as well as discussions on generating products from genetically modified microorganisms (GMOs).  A minor portion of this class will also present schemes for choosing microbial hosts & vector expression systems for the production of heterologous peptides, proteins, or post translational-modified proteins and how this affects overall process strategy.  Methods for production of industrial enzymes and selected applications of enzyme technology; for the pharmaceutical, chemical industries and for environmental remediation are presented. 

Course Aims:

  • Introduce the student to new era of Microbial biotechnology. 
  • Familiarize the student of the industrial application of microorganism such as enzymes, antibiotics production, bioremediation etc...
  • Familiarize students with the concept of genetics in microbes. 
  • Introduce the principle of genetic transfers and gene expression.

Course outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:  
  • Demonstrate how microbiology is applied to manufacturing in the pharmaceutical industry.
  • Explain the importance of patents for commercial development of a microbial bioprocess; the impact of GMO versus non-GMO organism in processes, the pathway of biologics development.
  • Explain the advantages and disadvantages of production of peptides, proteins, glycoproteins, in Gram negative, Gram positive, yeast expression systems.
  • Know the production methods for pharmaceuticals of microbial origin such as Antibiotics and vaccines.
  • Know microbe DNA structurally and genetically. 
  • Understanding of mutagenesis and gene expression in microbes.