58222 - BIOTECNOLOGIE DELLE FERMENTAZIONI

Learning outcomes

Aim of the course is the knowledge of the fermentative processes used in the industrial production of primary and secondary metabolites, biomasses and recombinant proteins. Bacteria, yeasts, moulds and mammalian cells are used in batch fermentation, fed batch fermentation, continuous culture, continuous culture with cell/substrate recycle. Kinetics of microbial growth and product formation in industrial fermentation processes will be described. Students will acquire knowledge on the Next Generation Sequencing approaches applied to microbiome sciences and microbiome bioprospecting, as a new frontier for the fermentation biotechnologies, were the main target is the set-up of microbiome based circular processes. Il the laboratory, students will learn how to work with small bench fermentors. Batch fermentations will be carried out, monitoring and controlling several parameters in order to optimize the production of primary metabolites and recombinant proteins. pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, agitation and biomass yield will be controlled. Finally, in the laboratory students will apply principles of microbiome sciences to microbiome-based bioprocesses.

Course contents

Kinetics of microbial growth and product formation in industrial fermentation processes: batch fermentation, fed batch fermentation, continuous culture, continuous culture with cell/substrate recycle. Medium formulation. Bioreactors. Scale up of microbial processes. Experimental design for improvement of fermentation. Downstream processes. Immobilized cells and enzymes. Examples of industrial fermentative processes. Microbiomes and metagenomes studies by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) for microbiome bioprospecting, microbiomes biotechnology and synthetic biology

The laboratory includes the following experiments (i) fermentation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for ethanol production: evaluation of production yield; (ii) malolactic fermentation of Oenococcus oeni in wine production; (iii) characterisation of plant growth promoting bacteria.

Readings/Bibliography

• Introduction to Bioinformatics. Fifth Edition. Arthur Lesk. Oxford University Press
• Metagenomics. 1st Edition Perspectives, Methods, and Applications Muniyandi Nagarajan Academic Press Inc.(London) Ltd
• R in Action. Third Edition. Robert I. Kabacoff. Manning Publications
• Brock Biology of Microorganisms. 16th Edition. Michael M. Madigan, Kelly S. Bender, Daniel Buckley, W. Matthew Sattley, David A. Stahl Pearson
• Fermentation Microbiology and Biotechnology. Fourth Edition. E. M. T. El-Mansi, Jens Nielsen, David Mousdale, Ross P. Carlson. CRC Press
• Industrial Microbiology, an introduction. Michael J. Waites, Neil L. Morgan, John S. Rockey and Gary Higton. Blackwell Science.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons and laboratory experiences

As concerns the teaching methods of this course unit, all students (including all the international incoming exchange students, i.e. ERASMUS) must attend Module 1, 2 online [https://www.unibo.it/it/servizi-e-opportunita/salute-e-assistenza/salute-e-sicurezza/sicurezza-e-salute-nei-luoghi-di-studio-e-tirocinio ], while Module 3 on health and safety is to be attended in class. Information about Module 3 attendance schedule is available on the website of your degree programme ("studiare"--"formazione obbligatoria su sicurezza e salute”).

Assessment methods

Oral examination

Teaching tools

Board, projector and bioinformatic lab

Office hours

See the website of Marco Candela

See the website of Simone Rampelli