Bi7034 Introduction to metabolic engineering and synthetic biology of microorganisms

Faculty of Science
autumn 2021
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 2 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
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
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.
  • Primárním studijním zdrojem jsou powerpointové prezentace vyučujícího s četnými odkazy na doporučenou odbornou literaturu.
Teaching methods
Teaching will take place in the autumn semester 2023 in a full-time form using powerpoint presentations. The texts of the presentations are in English, the lecturer's explanation is in Czech.
Assessment methods
Depending on the number of students enrolled, the course ends with either an oral examination in the form of a presentation of an article recommended by the teacher or a review test.
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 2020, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (autumn 2021, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/autumn2021/Bi7034