Industrial Biochemistry

Code:

Q4004

Acronym:

Q4004

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Chemistry

Instance: 2021/2022 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Biochemistry

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M:BQ	23	Plano de Estudos do MBIOQ_2013-2014	1	-	6	56	162
M:TCA	7	Official Study Plan	1	-	6	56	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

 

This course aims to address various applications in the areas of Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Biophysics, Biology, Chemistry and even Biological Engineering, at an industrial level. Various processes used in Industry (bioprocesses and bioreactors) and the role of Biotechnology in the environment and health will be discussed and analyzed.

 

The practical classes of the course include the performance of the following laboratory works:

-Enzymatic browning of fruits: PPO enzyme kinetics

-Determination of proteolytic activity in powder detergents

-Determination of lipase activity in powder detergents

-Invertase immobilization by calcium alginate occlusion

-Determination of phytase activity for use in animal feed

 

Whenever possible, the contents of the practical work will be in conjunction with the material given in the theoretical classes.

Learning outcomes and competences

This course is essentially demonstrative and constantly updated year after year. This stems from the fact that new technologies and applications are constantly being introduced to the market. Thus, the experimental component of monographic work on new developments is essential.

It is intended that students can fit into different types of industrial environment directly or indirectly related to the themes of this course.

Working method

Presencial

Program

Chapter 1 - Introduction (2 lessons)

 1.1 Presentation of the course (operating rules, evaluation method and general objectives).

 1.2. Preface - Biochemistry and biotechnology in our daily lives.

 1.2.1. Historic

 1.2.2. Companies and multinationals

 1.2.3. Creation of biotechnology companies in Portugal (Bio-entrepreneurship)

 1.2.4. Socio-economic impact of Industrial Biochemistry

 

Chapter 2 - Introduction to Enzymology (2 lessons)

   2.1 History

   2.2 Definition

   2.3 General properties

   2.4 Classification and nomenclature of enzymes

 2.5 Basic concepts of enzymatic kinetics

 

Chapter 3 - Enzyme and Protein Engineering (6 lessons)

   3.1 Enzymatic engineering: general

   3.2 Enzymes in biocatalysis processes

   3.3 Protein stability

   3.4 Protein engineering

   3.5 Enzyme Applications in Industry

   3.6 Future perspectives in enzymatic engineering

 

Chapter 4 - Biosensors (3 lessons)

   4.1 General characteristics of an “ideal” biosensor

   4.2 Types of transducer

   4.3 Enzymes used in biosensors

   4.4 Areas of application

   4.5 Optical biosensors

   4.6 Electrochemical biosensors

   4.7 Conductimetric biosensors

   4.8 Thermometric biosensors

   4.9 Enzymatic biosensors for immunodetection

   4.10 Development of micro and nanobiosensors

   4.11 Recent developments in bio-nanotechnology

 

Chapter 5 - Bioprocesses (4 lessons)

   5.1 General information about bioprocesses

   5.2 Immobilization of Biocatalysts

   5.3 Biocatalysis in non-conventional media

   5.4 Bioreactors

 

Chapter 6 - Microbial biotechnology (4 lessons)

   6.1 Traditional microbial biotechnology

     6.1.1 Examples in the winemaking industry

     6.1.2 Examples in the brewing industry

     6.1.3 Examples in the bakery industry

     6.1.4 Examples in the dairy industry

   6.2 Products of microbial metabolism with industrial impact

     6.2.1 Examples in the pharmaceutical industry

     6.2.2 Examples in the Fine Chemicals industry

     6.2.3 Heterologous Proteins

 

Chapter 7 - Environmental biotechnology (3 lessons)

   7.1 Pollution

   7.2 Bioremediation

   7.3 Control of water pollution

   7.4 Biotechnology of air and confined environments

 

 Chapter 8 - Health biotechnology (4 lessons)

   8.1 Gene therapy and new vaccines

   8.2 Controlled drug delivery systems

   8.3 Biomaterials

Mandatory literature

Lima Nelson 340; Biotecnologia. ISBN: 978-972-757-197-0
Joaquim Cabral; Engenharia Enzimática. ISBN: 972-757-272-3

Complementary Bibliography

Aehle Wolfgang 340; Enzymes in industry. ISBN: 3-527-29592-5

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical classes in PowerPoint data-slideshow mode with the slides always made available to students.

The practical classes of the course include the realization of 5 laboratory works.

Another component of the practical classes is the oral presentation of the research work carried out.

keywords

Technological sciences > Engineering > Biomedical enginnering

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	70,00
Trabalho laboratorial	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de projeto	40,00
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	14,00
Estudo autónomo	40,00
Frequência das aulas	28,00
Trabalho de investigação	14,00
Trabalho laboratorial	14,00
Total:	150,00

Eligibility for exams

The overall assessment will be calculated based on:

notes on reports of practical classes + discussion of scientific articles or presentation of monograph + continuous assessment

It is mandatory to accomplish a minimum of 4 complete practical works (with delivery of the respective report), discussion of scientific articles or presentation of monograph, and completion of the final exam.

Students will be excluded from the final exam if any of the following conditions occur:

1. Exceeding the limit of absences in practical classes (3).
2. Do not obtain a practical grade equal to or higher than 9.45.

Calculation formula of final grade

Evaluation method:

Theoretical Note (NT): final written exam.

Practical Note (NP): notes of reports of practical classes + presentation of work + continuous assessment.

The practical evaluation component will only be counted in the final grade once the student obtains a classification in the written exam equal to or higher than 9 values. Students who obtain a final grade (NF) of 9.45 or higher will be approved.

In these cases, the final grade (NF) will correspond to:

NC = 0.30 x NP + 0.70 x NT

The final exam (NT) consists of multiple choice and development questions. Students whose classification in the final exam is less than 9 values will be automatically disapproved. Students with a rating equal to or higher than 9 values may request an oral exam.

Classification improvement

Students with a rating equal to or higher than 9 values may request an oral exam.