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Engineering biochemistry covering enzyme kinetics, metabolism and applied molecular biology.
Cell organelles, enzymes, metabolism, genetic engineering (GE), GE medical and industrial applications, molecular biology for bioprocessing; industrial microbiology, biochemical engineering, bioreactors, bioproducts, formulation.TOPICSSection 1: Industrial Microbiology (12 lectures, Dr. Gabriel Visnovsky)• Formulation: Definition & main concepts• Basic functions of formulations• Additives: antioxidants and synergists. Product Stabilization• Culture media • Culture medium design for industrial fermentations• Case study 1: Large scale production of a biological control agent• Case study 2: Large scale formulation of a biological control agent • Case study 3: Large scale production of beerSection 2: Biochemical Engineering and Algae Biotechnology (12 lectures, Dr. Gabriel Visnovsky)• Algae Biotechnology: Introduction• Open and close production systems• Bioreactor design and scale up• Factors affecting microalgae and secondary metabolites produced by algae• Carbon dioxide sequestration • Algae Biotechnology: Case study 1: Astaxanthin production• Algae Biotechnology: Case study 1: PUFAs production• Microbial growth kinetics• Microbial stoichiometrySection 3: Genetic Engineering (12 lectures, Dr Sean Pourazadi)Part 1 – Genetic engineering basics 1. Molecular biology refresher• The central dogma (from DNA to protein synthesis)• DNA structure and function • Protein structure and function2. Manipulating and analysing DNA 1: main steps in DNA cloning• DNA extraction techniques• Building recombinant DNA: restriction enzymes and ligation• Cloning vectors (types and choice of)• Transformation into host cells3. Manipulating and analysing DNA 2: PCR and sequencing• Principles of PCR and site-directed mutagenesis• DNA sequencing • Illustration: PCR and sequencing in DNA forensics4. Proteins: post-translational modifications and folding• Overview of the translation process• Typical post-translational modifications (and reasons for), illustration: formation of disulfide bridges during the production of insulin• The importance of folding: example of pathologies related to protein misfolding (focus on neurodegenerative diseases)• Analysing proteins, classical techniques (including folding analysis)Part 2 - Medical and industrial applications 5. Overview of protein expression systems• currently marketed recombinant products and corresponding expression systems (recombinant therapeutic proteins, antibodies, vaccines,..)• overview and comparison of expression systems (bacteria, yeasts vs CHO & mammalian), tools for host selection (process requirement and cost criteria)6. Study case 1 : producing recombinant therapeutics• production of insulin from bacterial cells • Examples of protein therapeutics production from mammalian cells7. Study case 2 : genetic engineering and viruses• Production of recombinant hepatitis B vaccine from yeast cells• Viral vectors and gene therapy8. Transgenic plants and genetically modified foods• Transgenic plant proteins: examples and process of production• Transgenic plants: complex systems• Genetically modified foods: gene-implantation technologies (soil bug Agrobacterium tumefaciens, electroporation, gene guns)• Currently marketed modified crops, and global presence9. Animal transgenesis• Gene transfer strategies in animal transgenesis• Transgenic animals and their current use (medicine and industrial)• study case 1: “pharming” - transgenic animal proteins (example of anti-cancer antibodies from milk products)• study 2: transgenesis in the improvement of production traits (examples of wool and milk)
ENCH281 or subject to approval of the Director of Studies
36 Lectures
Gabriel Visnovsky
Sean Pourazadi
Bailey, James E.1944- , Ollis, David F; Biochemical engineering fundamentals ; 2nd ed; McGraw-Hill, 1986.
Ratledge, Colin. , Kristiansen, B; Basic biotechnology ; 3rd ed; Cambridge University Press, 2006.
Shuler, Michael L.,1947- , Kargi, Fikret; Bioprocess engineering : basic concepts ; 2nd ed; Prentice Hall, 2002.
ConcernsStudents with concerns about the course should contact first the course coordinator and 3rd Pro Director of Studies (Dr Gabriel Visnovsky), or the 2nd Pro Director of Studies (Dr. Daniel Holland).General Policies of the DepartmentStudents may obtain the general policies of the University on matters such as the special considerations, appeals procedures, reconsideration of grades and special provision for students with disabilities from the University Calendar. The Department assessment details, Departmental Safety Handbook, Electrical Safety Supplement and Disposal of Chemical Wastes Policy are distributed to the students at the beginning of the New Year.
Domestic fee $919.00
International fee $5,000.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Chemical and Process Engineering .