Bi7034 Introduction to metabolic engineering and synthetic biology of microorganisms

Faculty of Science
Autumn 2020
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 2 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Taught online.
Teacher(s)
doc. Mgr. Pavel Dvořák, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Pavel Dvořák, Ph.D.
Department of Experimental Biology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: doc. Mgr. Pavel Dvořák, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Experimental Biology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Timetable
Mon 16:00–17:50 E25/209
Prerequisites
Bi4090 General microbiology || Bi5710 Microbiology && Bi4020 Molecular biology && C3580 Biochemistry || ( C3181 Biochemistry I && C4182 Biochemistry II )
The lecture is primarily intended for students of the following study programs Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Genetics and Biochemistry. Prerequisites are the courses General Microbiology (Bi4090) or Microbiology (Bi5710), Molecular Biology (Bi4020) and Biochemistry (C3580) or Biochemistry I and II (C3181 and C4182). In exceptional cases (e.g. in the case of students of other study programs or foreign students who have at least basic knowledge of molecular biology, biochemistry, and microbiology) it is possible to ask the teacher to waive these prerequisites.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The emerging fields of metabolic engineering, systemic and synthetic biology are becoming pillars of modern microbial biotechnology for the 21st century. The aim of this course is to present the basic principles, approaches and experimental and theoretical methods used in these scientific disciplines and to introduce students to the ideas of circular economy and sustainable development in which microbial biotechnology can play an important role. The course will place considerable emphasis on the description of practical applications of the described strategies and methods in technologies using recombinant microorganisms for biodegradation of toxic wastes or for biosynthesis of commodity chemicals and value-added compounds. In addition to attractive current examples from world literature, students will also be presented with topics solved in the teacher's laboratory. The graduates will be able to use the acquired knowledge in their further work practice and in the following deeper study of the discussed topics.
Learning outcomes
The topics of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology of microorganisms will be presented mainly from the perspective of molecular biology and biochemistry methods, which are applied in these disciplines. However, theoretical bioinformatic approaches will also be discussed. Student after completing the course: - Will be able to distinguish advantages and disadvantages of various microorganisms used in metabolic engineering projects. - Will gain an overview of the discussed methods and their use in practice. - Will be able to describe the procedures applied in the projects of metabolic engineering of microorganisms and will realize the logic of the individual steps. - Will understand the influence of synthetic and systemic biology on metabolic engineering.
Syllabus
  • 1) Information about the course, introduction to the topics of bioengineering of microorganisms, sustainable development, circular economy 2) Basic concepts of metabolic engineering, host microorganisms 3) Design of metabolic pathways (theoretical and experimental tools, practical examples) 4) Construction of metabolic pathways (theoretical and experimental tools, practical examples) 5) Analysis of metabolic pathways (theoretical and experimental tools, practical examples) 6) Optimization of metabolic pathways (rational approaches, adaptive laboratory evolution), examples of metabolic engineering of microorganisms from practice 7) Synthetic biology of microorganisms and its use in biodegradation and bio-production (introduction, history, ethics, iGEM competition) 8) Synthetic genetic circuits and minimal cell concept 9) Synthetic microbial consortia 10) Examples of application of synthetic biology in metabolic engineering
Literature
  • Vhodné studijní zdroje budou studentům doporučeny během úvodní přednášky.
Teaching methods
PowerPoint presentations (in 2020 on-line using Zoom application)
Assessment methods
The course ends with an oral examination in the form of a presentation of an article recommended by the teacher.
Language of instruction
Czech
Follow-Up Courses
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2019, autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2020, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/autumn2020/Bi7034