Fungi, bacteria and bacilli of industrial interests. Yeasts. actinomycetes. Method for identification, growth, enrichment, screening and improvement. Technology of industrial processes. Production of metabolites. Vaccines, probiotics, phage therapy. Metagenomics. Synthetic and systems biology. Yeast as a model in microbial cell biology and biotechnology.
S. Donadio, G. Marino “Biotecnologie microbiche”, 2008, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano.
M. Manzoni “Microbiologia industriale”, 2006, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano.
C. Ratlegde, B. Kristiansen “Biotecnologie di base”, 2004, Zanichelli, Bologna.
Selected papers and reviews that can be downloaded from the website www.duccioknights.org.
Learning Objectives
Knowledge acquired: Knowledge on the most relevant groups of microorganisms involved in industrial biotechnology: biology and taxonomy of fungi, yeasts bacilli and actinomycetes. Strategies for selection and improvement of microorganisms for production of enzymes, metabolites, antibiotics and antifungals. Technology of industrial fermentation processes. Application of microorganisms in bioremediation processes and production of biofuels. Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model and as cell factory. Microorganisms as drugs, probiotics, vaccines, bacteriophages and phage therapy. Metagenomics methods for global analysis of microbial communities. Systems and synthetic biology. Selection of microorganism of industrial interest from natural environments. Enrichment cultures for microorganisms of interest in bioremediation. Planning strategies for the genetic and functional improvement of microorganisms aiming at the production of molecules useful in the industry, including biofuels, antibiotics and antifungals. Fundamentals of S.cerevisiae genetics and molecular and cellular biology, yeast genetic selection, mating and transformation.
Prerequisites
None
Teaching Methods
Lectures and seminars.
Further information
Ability to understand the relationship between structure, properties and composition of the main microbial families. Ability to identify the role of microorganisms in the synthesis of complex organic molecules. To develop an understanding of the role of microorganisms in the production of pharmaceuticals and biomolecules of industrial interest. Understanding the role of microorganisms as cell factories and strategies for their control and use.
Type of Assessment
There are 5 official appeals, 2 in the January-February winter session, and 3 in the summer session, June-September. In addition, there are 2 calls, one in November and one in April, during periods of didactic silence. In case of failure to pass, students can register for the next first useful appeal. The final exam is a written exam lasting an average of 60 minutes, during which the student is required to answer 27 multiple choice questions and 3 open questions. Then there will be an oral exam, of varying duration, between 25 and 50 minutes, consisting of a seminar that deepens a topic of the course and questions aimed at ascertaining the level of knowledge of the concepts presented in the course. In particular, passing the exam requires to know in depth the biotechnological applications of bacteria and fungi, and the knowledge of the evolution of their metabolism. The questions are aimed at ascertaining knowledge on the role of microorganisms in the synthesis of complex organic molecules, demonstrating a deep understanding of the role of microorganisms in the production of drugs and biomolecules of industrial interest.
le.The final evaluation will include the ability to express concepts with a rigorous mindset and an appropriate language. The test will evaluate the ability of independent thinking and problem solving.
Course program
Taxonomy structure evolution and biology of the main microbial groups used in industrial biotechnology, fungi, bacilli, and attinions. Growth Methods; Enrichment and selection; Improvement of microbial strains. Select microorganisms of industrial interest from natural environments. Cultures enrichment of microorganisms of interest in bioremediation processes. Principles for the selection and improvement of microorganisms of industrially important molecules (enzymes, metabolites, antibiotics). Industrial fermentation technology, from wine to beer to modern industrial fermentations. Microorganisms for the production of amino acids. Design and improvement of microorganisms involved in the production of industrial use molecules, biofuels, antibiotics and antifungals. Production of antibiotics and antifungals. Production of recombinant insulin from bacteria and yeasts. Applications of microorganisms in bioremediation processes. Microorganisms and immunotherapy, vaccines, adjuvants and reverse vaccinology. Applications of CRISPR-CAS technology in microbial biotechnology. Microorganisms and their vesicles as drug carriers, Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model for microbial biotechnologies and cell factory. Synthetic biology and systems biology, how to design a biotechnological microorganism targeted. Microorganisms such as probiotic drugs, vaccines, phage and phage therapy. Metagenomics methods for global analysis of microbial communities.