Enzyme Technology
Enzymteknologi

KBK031F, 7.5 credits

Valid from: Autumn 2016
Decided by: Mats Ohlin
Date of establishment: 2017-02-09

General Information

Division: Biotechnology
Course type: Course given jointly for second and third cycle
The course is also given at second-cycle level with course code: KBK031
Teaching language: English

Aim

The aim of the course is to give advanced knowledge about the technical use of enzymes and the possibilities to change and improve enzyme performance for adaptation to technical applications

Goals

Knowledge and Understanding

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• be able to describe and evaluate methods for modifying enzymes intended for technical use
• be able to describe and evaluate methods for enzyme immobilization and for characterization of the properties of immobilized enzymes
• describe and evaluate methods for the use of enzymes in non-conventional media
• describe the technical use of enzymes

Competences and Skills

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• practically carry out enzyme immobilization, characterization of the properties of immobilized enzymes and using enzymes in organic solvents
• design, carry out and evaluate enzymatic transformations
• make written reports from laboratory practicals in which the experiments and results are described and commented upon and where deviations from expected results are analyzed and discussed

Judgement and Approach

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• in a group forum orally discuss scientific reports from the literature
• analyze, interpret and critically evaluate scientific reports related to enzyme technology

Course Contents

The theoretical part of the course describes how the catalysts of the biological world, the enzymes, can be used in a variety of contexts. Examples are the use in bioanalysis, refining of food, washing powder, textile treatment and transformation of chemicals. The general properties of enzymes are well known from previous courses. In this course is described how enzyme molecules can be modified in order to get improved properties for technical use. Examples include genetic and chemical modification and immobilization. Immobilization, i.e. the coupling of enzymes to carrier material, is treated thoroughly. Likewise are the kinetic properties of immobilized enzymes and ways to quantify these properties emphasized. In the cell the enzymes function in an aqueous environment. Under certain circumstances enzymes can also work efficiently in a non-aqueous environment or in an environment with a low water activity. This opens up for unique possibilities for an enzymatic synthesis of a number of substances, including chiral substances. This kind of use of enzymes in non-conventional media is treated in great detail. The laboratory practical has two parts. One part where basic techniques concerning immobilization of enzymes are investigated and one research related part where untested experiments with enzymes in organic solvents are designed and carried out.

Course Literature

P., Danielsson, B., Larsson, P.-O., Månsson, M.-O., Ramanathan & K.: Enzyme Technology.

Instruction Details

Types of instruction: Lectures, laboratory exercises, exercises

Examination Details

Examination format: Written exam. passed reports from the laboratory practicals and passed literature discussion
Grading scale: Failed, pass
Examiner:

Admission Details

Assumed prior knowledge: KBK011 Biokemi
Selection criteria: Undergraduate students have priority for the practical part of the course

Further Information

Course coordinator: Dr Cedric Dicko, cedric.dicko@tbiokem.lth.se; Professor Patrick Adlercreutz, Patrick.Adlercreutz@biotek.lu.se

Course Occasion Information

Contact and Other Information

Course coordinators:

• Patrick Adlercreutz <patrick.adlercreutz@biotek.lu.se>
• Cedric Dicko <cedric.dicko@tbiokem.lth.se>