Enzyme Engineering

Code:

M.EQ020

Acronym:

EE

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biological Engineering

Instance: 2021/2022 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Chemical Engineering
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Chemical Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M.EQ	20	Syllabus	1	-	6	58,5	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

It is intended that students understand the essence of biocatalytic processes; are able of modeling enzyme kinetics; acquire the ability to simulate the operation of enzymebioreactors.

Another objective is to give students basic skills to design, measure and optimize the operation of enzymatic reactors in various systems, and consequently enhance their proficiency in the development and implementation of biotechnology-based industrial processes incorporating enzyme technology.

 

Learning outcomes and competences

By completing this course the student should be able to:

• Understand the role of enzymes in biotechnological applications

• Document the major technological applications of enzymes

• Know the properties of enzymes and their mode of operation

• Identify the types of mechanisms of enzymatic catalysis

• Describe the process of biocatalysis in non-conventional media

• Modeling the enzyme kinetics

• Assess the kinetic model of the reaction mechanism

• Describe the usefulness of enzyme biosensors

• Know the types of enzyme inhibition

• Describe the types of enzyme immobilization

• Calculate the effects of immobilization on enzyme kinetics

• Know the main types of enzyme reactors

• Modeling the main types of enzymatic reactors

 

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Not applicable.

Program

1. General properties of enzymes. General characteristics of the amino acids. Classification and nomenclature of enzymes. Levels of enzyme structure. The structure/function in an enzyme. Specificity of enzymes. Main types of mechanisms for enzyme catalysis.

 

Biocatalysis in aqueous medium. Biocatalysis in organic solvents, ionic liquids, fluids supercrítricos systems, solid-solid and solid-liquid systems. Water effects on the enzyme activity and stability. 

 

3. Enzyme technologies. Major industrial applications of enzymes. Enzymatic biosensors and clinical diagnostics. 

 

4. Enzyme kinetics and stability. Michaelis-Menten model. Complementary and alternative models. Assessment of the kinetic constants. Enzyme activity and stability. Effect of pH and temperature on enzyme kinetics. Types of chemical inhibition.

 

5. Immobilization of enzymes. Types of supports and immobilization techniques (adsorption, ionic binding, covalent binding, cross-linking, microencapsulation and occlusion). Effects of enzyme and kinetic properties (conformational, partition and mass transfer). External and internal diffusional limitations. Efficiency factor. 

 

6. Enzymatic Reactors: Classification. Main types of ideal reactors and their equations. Real (non-ideal) reactor: residence time distribution and degree of mixing.

 

Mandatory literature

James M. Lee; Biochemical engineering. ISBN: 0-13-085317-8
Andreas S. Bommarius, Bettina R. Riebel; Biocatalysis. ISBN: 978-3-527-30344-1

Complementary Bibliography

James E. Bailey, David F. Ollis; Biochemical engineering fundamentals. ISBN: 0-07-066601-6
Cabral J.M.S., Aires-Barros M.R., Gama M. ; Engenharia Enzimática. , Lidel – edições técnicas, Lda., 2003

Teaching methods and learning activities

Classes will be based on the formal presentation of the theoretical concepts and methodologies to approach and solve problems, namely on design of enzymatic bioreactors.  Students will present and discuss selected papers. Students will also perform laboratorial experiments, and will have a chance of handing over homework problems to be solved as a group.

Software

Acrobat Professional 9.0 Win AOO License IE
Microsoft

keywords

Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biological engineering

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Defesa pública de dissertação, de relatório de projeto ou estágio, ou de tese	15,00
Exame	50,00
Trabalho escrito	15,00
Trabalho laboratorial	20,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	10,00
Estudo autónomo	70,00
Frequência das aulas	45,00
Trabalho de investigação	7,00
Trabalho laboratorial	30,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Delivery of laboratory reports and homework problems, and oral presentation.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final grade will be based on the following assessment components:
Final exam (50%).
Presentation and discussion of one scientific paper (15%).

Homework: 2 problems (3x5%=15%)

Reports from the laboratorial experiments (20%).

To obtain positive rating, the student must have an overall grade of at least 9.5 in 20. However, the final exam must have a score higher than 8 in 20.

 

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applicable.

Internship work/project

Not applicable.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

These students may be exempted from continuous assessment, with the exception of the laboratorial classes.

Classification improvement

Only the final exam. For regular students, the grade of the work is valid for the entire school year, and can not be replaced by another type of evaluation.

 

Observations

Not applicable.