35499 - Biotechnologies of Industrial Microorganisms

Academic Year 2018/2019

  • Moduli: Patrizia Brigidi (Modulo 1) Patrizia Brigidi (Modulo 2)
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures (Modulo 1) Traditional lectures (Modulo 2)
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (cod. 8519)

Learning outcomes

Aim of the course is the employment of microorganisms for the production of metabolites as well as recombinant proteins of pharmaceutical interest.

Course contents

Genetic improvement of microbial strains. Industrial production of microbial primary and secondary metabolites: amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, antibiotics and antitumoral agents. Advanced screening to discover new antibiotics. Expression and production of heterologous pharmaceutical proteins in microbial hosts: hormones, fibrinolytic agents, anticoagulants, growth factors, cytokines, recombinant toxins, vaccines, biologicals. Protein engineering to improve pharmacokynetics of recombinant proteins.
The laboratory course will address the following experiences: fermentative production of tetracycline by Streptomyces aureofaciens and assessment of the antibiotic yield; assessment of bacterial endotoxins by LAL test; molecular phylogenetics.

Readings/Bibliography

Scientific papers and reviews suggested by the teacher Laboratory notes describing the experimental procedures.

Teaching methods

Development and employment of genetically modified microorganisms in pharmaceutical field.

Assessment methods

Students will be tested with an oral exam. The latter will verify the knowledge about microorganisms used for the industrial production of drugs

Teaching tools

PC, projector, laboratory

Office hours

See the website of Patrizia Brigidi