Metabolic Engineering

KMBN05F, 7.5 credits

Valid from: Autumn 2021
Decided by: Åsa Håkansson
Date of establishment: 2022-04-04

General Information

Division: Applied Microbiology
Course type: Course given jointly for second and third cycle
The course is also given at second-cycle level with course codes: KMBN05, KMB040
Teaching language: English

Aim

Based on previous student knowledge in gene technology, mathematics and microbiology, the course aims to introduce the PhD 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 industrial biotechnology.

Goals

Knowledge and Understanding

For a passing grade the doctoral 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 doctoral student must

• - 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 present a critical report of results from scientific papers on metabolic engineering

Judgement and Approach

For a passing grade the doctoral 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

Course 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,. Exercises are performed on carbon balance, redox balance, flux analysis and metabolic control analysis.

Course Literature

Course compendium

Instruction Details

Types of instruction: Lectures, seminars, laboratory exercises, exercises, self-study literature review

Examination Details

Examination formats: Written exam, oral exam, written report
Grading scale: Failed, pass
Examiner:

Admission Details

Admission requirements: Application to the course responsible
Assumed prior knowledge: Microbiology, Gene Technology

Course Occasion Information

Contact and Other Information

Course coordinators:
Web page: https://canvas.education.lu.se/