PROCESS BIOCHEMISTRY
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Delivery method
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
In order to understand the topics covered during both modules of the course, knowledge of General and Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biochemical and Biomolecular Methodologies is required.
For both modules, a written test aimed at assessing the skills achieved by the student in relation to the knowledge and understanding of the theoretical bases and the practical activities carried out in the laboratory will be carried out. The exam consists of 3-4 open questions and 8-10 multiple-choice questions. For the Biological Process Engineering Module there will also be a question on the problems faced during the practical activities carried out in the laboratory. The time for each written test will be 90 minutes. For each question, the score that is obtained in case of a positive answer is indicated. The vote of the written exam of each of the two modules is expressed out of thirty and the sufficiency (18/30) in each of the two exams is required to pass the total exam. The final mark will be the arithmetic mean of the marks obtained in the individual written exams.
- Comparative Biochemistry (prof. Piubelli Luciano)
Comparative biochemistry studies the evolutionary relationships among different organisms: by comparing similarities and differences in biochemical structures and processes, it highlight the evolutionary relationships between organisms, with the aim of better understanding the history of life. This module take place in the first semester. It intends to provide the basics of aerobic and anaerobic metabolism in the various living species, comparing microorganisms, invertebrates (arthropods, molluscs, echinoderms) and the classes of vertebrates, with reference to man. From the analysis of the energy supply sources of the various species, of the metabolic pathways and of the products of catabolism, some environmental problems related to the various ecosystems will be addressed.- Engineering of Biological Processes (prof. Rosini Elena)
The omics sciences and the new approaches in genetic and protein engineering allow us to act on the main industrial biochemical processes for the synthesis of value-added compounds and for the treatment of agricultural and urban industrial waste by modifying/optimizing/engineering different biological systems (especially microbial) for the development of environmentally sustainable and circular processes.
The module takes place in the second semester of the first year and aims to describe the main methods of protein and metabolic engineering in order to optimize microorganisms for the production of bioproducts. Examples of production of metabolites of interest, valorisation of residual biomasses of urban and agricultural origin, degradation and valorisation of plastic will be presented.
At the end of the course, the student will be able to understand, manage and design biochemical processes related to the most modern molecular and cellular technologies aimed at sustainable and circular productions.
- Comparative Biochemistry (prof. Piubelli Luciano)
Energy accumulation in different organisms. The metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and proteins will be addressed comparatively by comparing the different metabolic pathways present in microorganisms and in the main animal taxa (arthropods, molluscs, echinoderms, vertebrates). The problem of transport and storage of oxygen will also be addressed.
- Engineering of Biological Processes (prof. Rosini Elena)
Theory
- Systems biology: methods for engineering microorganisms for biotechnological applications
- System biocatalysis: multienzymatic cascade systems (cell free and whole cell systems, advantages/disadvantages)
- Extremophile organisms: applications
- Protein engineering: rational design
- Protein engineering: irrational design
- Engineering of living organisms for the production of bioproducts (acetic, lactic, citric acid, drugs and antibodies)
- Engineering of living organisms for the circular economy (industrial agricultural and urban waste)
- Lignocellulosic biomass: characterization, degradation, valorisation
- Engineering of living organisms for the valorisation of lignin
- Plastic degradation and upcycling
- Production of bioproducts on an industrial scale: yield, productivity, economic evaluations
Practical laboratory activities:
The practical activity in the laboratory is based on the production of vanillin from wheat bran. Ferulic acid will be extracted from wheat bran and converted to vanillin by whole cell system, following the bioconversion by HPLC analysis, after construction of calibration curves.
- Comparative Biochemistry (prof. Piubelli Luciano)
The module is based on theoretical lessons (24 hours)
- Engineering of Biological Processes (prof. Rosini Elena)
The module is based on theoretical lessons (20 hours) and experimental lab activities (6 hours). For practical activities, each student will be provided with the experimental protocols to follow.
Students can meet with the professor in their office by previous email appointment (luciano.piubelli@uninsubria.it; elena.rosini@uninsubria.it).