INGLESE

English

Introduction to industrial biochemistry and biotechnological processes. The course aims at improving knowledge of biochemical and biotechnological updated techniques to obtain bioproducts of applicative interests. An in-depth presentation of purification procedures with specific regards to pharmaceutical biotechnological products will be presented. Case studies will be presented of integrated bioprocesses representative for class of biomolecules/biomasses with a specific focus on biomanufacturing and biochemical characterization of products (i.e. patent literature, updated established bioprocesses)

Industrial Enzymology, Godfrey T. and West S.;
Industrial microbiology: an introduction Waites M.J., Morgan N., Rockey JS, Higton G.;
Slides of lessons are available in pdf format in dedicated Teams folder

LEARNING OBJECTIVES. The industrial biochemistry and biotechnology course aims to provide advanced concepts on microbial and mammalian cells and biocatalysts application for industrial biomanufacturing, in accordance with the Dublin Descriptors outlined below.
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING The students will acquire improved knowledge of the biochemical and biotechnological principles underlying the conceive of cell factories to obtain bioproducts and biopharmaceuticals, with an overview of updated and/or consolidated industrial biobased production processes;
Students will gain a better understanding of the biosynthesis of industrially relevant metabolites, enzymes, proteins, polysaccharides, organic acids, bacteriocins, amino acids, recombinant protein production, metabolic engineering approaches and strategies, and a brief overview of monoclonal antibodies biomanufacturing. Selected bioproducts production and purification strategies will be discussed as detailed case studies within the lectures and with supportive documents.
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING. Students will be able to conceive/design suitable downstream processing strategies according to bioproduct characteristics, including purification workflows for intracellular and extracellular products; evaluate alternative biotechnological approaches for enzyme production, metabolite biosynthesis, and recombinant protein manufacturing; interpret experimental and process data to assess productivity, purification efficiency, process scalability, and product quality; apply biochemical and engineering principles to solve practical problems in industrial biotechnology.
MAKING JUDGEMENTS: Students will be able to: assess the advantages and limitations of alternative purification strategies, immobilization techniques, and metabolic engineering approaches; analyze case studies involving industrial enzymes, recombinant proteins, monoclonal antibodies, and bio-based products, identifying the most appropriate technological solutions; consider sustainability, process efficiency, and industrial feasibility in the development of biotechnological production processes.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Students will be able to: communicate scientific concepts and technological solutions in industrial biochemistry using appropriate technical terminology in English; present and discuss industrial biochemistry approaches, biochemical techniques application beyond lab scale, general concepts bioprocess design, experimental data, and industrial case studies both orally and in writing.
LEARNING SKILLS: Students will be able to: independently consult and critically evaluate scientific literature, patents, and technical documentation in industrial biotechnology; continuously update their knowledge on emerging technologies in industrial biochemistry, metabolic engineering, and bioprocess development; integrate biochemical, molecular, microbiological, and bioengineering concepts for lifelong learning and professional development in biotechnology

Students should have accomplished courses of biochemistry, fermentation biochemistry (or technology) and biotechnology.
Basic knowledge of separation processes, and principles of biochemical engineering /plants may be useful as well

Lectures using power point presentations, videos, practical examples/tests.
Practicals also with laboratory visit and one day experimental work.

Achievement of the course learning objectives is certified through passing an exam, graded on a scale of thirty (30).

The exam consists of a written report of the lab practice experience and an oral test. Oral test is graded on a scale of thirty and is considered passed with a minimum score of 18/30. Written report impacts 20% of the final grade.
The oral test has an average duration of 20 minutes and consists of an interview structured as follows: i) general questions, to assess the student's command of fundamental concepts and the breadth of the knowledge acquired; ii) in-depth thematic questions, to verify the student's ability for critical analysis and methodological rigor; iii) interdisciplinary connections, to test the student's ability to link the different topics of the course into an overall view.
Grading criteria:
<18 Fail: the student does not demonstrate results consistent with the descriptors of knowledge and understanding, application, judgement, communication, and learning skills.
18–21 Sufficient level: the student meets the basic descriptors relating to knowledge and understanding of the fundamental content and shows an initial ability to apply it in simple contexts.
22–24 Fully sufficient level: the student meets the descriptors of applied knowledge and understanding, showing the ability to correctly apply key concepts and beginning to critically analyze situations relevant to the course topics.
25–26 Good level: the student demonstrates independent judgement in evaluating and comparing relevant scenarios, applies knowledge effectively, and communicates results clearly, reflecting more consolidated competences.
27–29 Very good level: the student meets the descriptors of all five areas at an advanced level, with mastery of the content, the ability to critically evaluate complex cases, and strong communication skills.
30 Excellent level: the student excels in all the Dublin descriptors, demonstrating the ability to learn continuously and creatively, comprehensive knowledge and understanding, confident and critical application of knowledge, and effective communication skills, while achieving an outstanding standard in both the written and oral examinations.
Honours (cum laude) may be awarded when, in addition to the above, the student demonstrates exceptional originality, depth of analysis in the oral discussion, and performance that exceeds expectations.

Attendance is mandatory, with a maximum of 25% of allowed absences
Course notes, article reprints, patents to be obtained, links for selected technical video-lectures, and for patent and manuscript search (e.g. Espacenet, or USpatent.gov web sites).

Microbial-mammalian cells factories of proteins and other metabolites of application interest. Biiomolecules from mesophilic and extremophiles microorganisms. Production of proteins and/or other biomolecules from genetically modified organisms. Purification strategies; extracellular and intracellular bioproducts, enzymes; cell lysis and extraction. Inclusion bodies. Clarification of cell lysates; methods of pre-purification and purification. Scale-up of the extraction and purification process. Technical and economic implications of the purification strategy. Enzymes and proteins from manufacturing to industrial applications. Immobilized enzymes, immobilization techniques, specific bioprocesses and bioprocesses. Enzymes of interest in the transformation of carbohydrates: amylase, glucosidase, glucose isomerase. Enzymes degrading cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and pectin. Lipases and their applications. Biotechnological production of short chain fatty acids and their industrial applications, description of current processes and current patent applications: production of citric acid and lactic acid. Stabilizing agents from natural sources and their potential biotechnological and biomedical applications: trehalose, ectoine and mannosil-glycerate in comparison. Bioprocesses for bacteriocins production from lactic bacteria. Notes on the biotechnological production of amino acids. Production and characterization of polysaccharides of cosmeceutical, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical interest: hyaluronic acid, heparin and chondroitin. Notes on the production of monoclonal antibodies with fed-batch cultures of transformed mammalian cells. Purification train for monoclonal antibodies, diagnostic and pharmaceutical use. Metabolic engineering: methods, definitions, case studies. Good Manufacturing Practices, a specific approach for biotechnological products.