Bioorganic Synthesis
Bioorganisk syntes

KBT015F, 7.5 credits

Valid from: Spring 2019
Decided by: Head of department Mats Ohlin
Date of establishment: 2018-11-22

General Information

Division: Biotechnology
Course type: Third-cycle course
Teaching language: English

Aim

The course aims at giving PhD students in-depth knowledge of how enzymes can be used as catalysts for the synthesis of different products. They should gain an understanding of all stages of the development of a large-scale enzymatic process, from choosing an appropriate synthesis path to a simple sketch of an industrial process.

Goals

Knowledge and Understanding

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• be able to describe main groups of enzymes which may be of practical interest as catalysts and what reactions they catalyze.
• be able to describe how the reaction medium and reaction conditions influence enzymatic reactions.
• be able to describe how the steroespecificity of enzymes can be utilized to produce chiral substances and how the enzyme properties and reaction conditions influence the outcome of the reactions.

Competences and Skills

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• for a defined reaction, choose appropriate enzymes to catalyze this.
• with the help of available databases, be able to find detailed information about the sequence, structure and properties of enzymes.
• independently carry out a theoretical study comprising the different steps in the design of an enzymatic process and summarize it in a written report and in an oral presentation.

Course Contents

The main parts of the course are: Overview of enzyme classes and enzyme catalyzed reactions. Reactions catalyzed by hydrolytic enzymes, incl. reverse hydrolysis and transfer reactions. Redox reactions and redox enzymes. Reaction medium's impact on enzymatic reactions, incl. choice of reaction medium. Thermodynamics and kinetics of enzymatic reactions. Stereoselective enzymatic synthesis. Carbohydrate active enzymes. Databases of importance in enzyme technology. Introduction to modeling of enzymes and enzyme-substrate interactions. Enzymatic cascade reactions and chemo-enzymatic reactions. Process technology for enzymatic reactions. As part of the course, participants conduct individual theoretical studies that include all steps in the development of an enzymatic process, from choosing an appropriate synthesis path to a simple sketch of an industrial process.

Course Literature

Faber, K.: Biotransformations in Organic Chemistry. Springer, 2011. ISBN 9783642173929.
Reading instructions are given at the beginning of the course. In addition to the course book, selected scientific articles also constitute course literature

Instruction Details

Types of instruction: Seminars, exercises, project

Examination Details

Examination formats: Written exam, written report, seminars given by participants
Grading scale: Failed, pass
Examiner:

Admission Details

Admission requirements: Course participants should be PhD students in chemistry or related areas
Assumed prior knowledge: Basic knowledge of enzyme technology, such as the course Enzyme Technology KBKN01
Selection criteria: Maximum number of participants is 12. In case of a greater number of applicants, priority is given to those who have a PhD project with the most connection to bioorganic synthesis / enzyme technology.

Further Information

The course is given when the course coordinator has the opportunity and there are at least 5 interested doctoral students.

Course Occasion Information

Contact and Other Information

Course coordinator: Patrick Adlercreutz <patrick.adlercreutz@biotek.lu.se>