BPE-32306 Advanced Marine Biotechnology

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

BPE-30806 or AFI-31806

Contents:

Marine biotechnology aims to develop methods to produce novel products originating from marine organisms; these are products that could contribute to a better health, such as bioactive compounds that can be used for new medicines, new food and feed ingredients, such as antioxidants and as new biofuels. The course consists out the following parts:
1. Product discovery and identification;
Identification of structures of biological components. LogP, UV/VIS, LC-MS/GC-MS characteristics and NMR data will be discussed and applied to unknown molecules.The students will work on examples during a practical computer course.
2. Marine metagenomics
The largest fraction of the microbial world around us can not be studied by cultivation. Modern molecular ecological techniques are taught, and especially metagenome sequence analysis, that provide a comprehensive catalogue of the metabolic potential of the uncultured microbial world. 3. Cell and tissue culture of marine sponge
Sponges produce bioactive compounds that are interesting to develop medicines from. In this part of the course we will focus on how to produce these products commercially. This will be done via 2 cases: design of a sponge aquaculture and design a research strategy for development of a sponge cell culture technique. 4. Photosynthesis and growth of microalgae
This course provides an extensive background in the functioning of photosynthesis, its maximal efficiency and its relation to photoautotrophic growth metabolism as a whole. This course is a combination of oral lectures and work assignments. This course is a combination of oral lectures and work assignments.
5. Photobioreactor design
A digital design tool will be provided with which students are able to make optimal designs. Students will make designs during a practical computer course.
6. Capita selecta
New developments in the field of marine biotechnology will be presented via guest lectures.

Learning outcomes:

Students will be able to:
- perform identification of biomarker components;
- understand how metagenomic sequence analysis can provide novel leads for biotechnological exploitation;
- design production and research strategies for production of bioactive compounds from sponges;
- quantify the maximal productivity of microalgae based bioprocesses;
- systematically work on a process design;
- have insights in new developments in the field of marine biotechnology.

Activities:

A combination of practical computer courses (for product discovery identification and photobioreactor design), classes and work assignments (for marine metagenomics, cell and tissue culture of marine sponges and photosynthesis and growth of microalgae, and guest lectures on new developments in the field of marine biotechnology.

Examination:

Examination via presentation of cases and written exam.