BIOTECHNOLOGY: PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATIONS

The course is one of the basic training activities of the bachelor degree in Chemistry and Sustainable Technologies, and allows students to acquire the basic knowledge of biotechnologies and their main applications within the industrial and environmental field. The course is a multidisciplinary teaching, with reference to different areas such as molecular biology, genetics, biological chemistry and microbiology.
Educational objectives of the course are: 1) improving knowledge of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms biology, particularly those of interest in biotechnology 2) improving skills related to microbial metabolism 3) improving knowledge of the techniques for selection and manipulation of microorganisms, with particular reference to genetic engineering 4) acquiring skills related to the different fields of application of biotechnology, mainly environmental and industrial (eg pharmaceutical, food, etc.) ones 5) acquiring the basic concepts and skills for the design and management of biotechnological plants, problem solving of main the critical issues related to the type of microorganism, culture, final product 6) acquiring capacity and autonomy in the application of the basic techniques of molecular biology, such as the extraction and purification of nucleic acids (DNA), PCR and electrophoresis.

1. Knowledge and understanding
i) biology of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms of interest in biotechnology;
ii) microbial metabolism and adaptations to aerobic and anaerobic environments;
iii) principal techniques of selection and manipulation of microorganisms, with particular reference to genetic engineering;
iv) industrial applications of biotechnologies (eg pharmaceutical, food, etc.);
v) basic techniques of extraction, purification and amplification of DNA.

2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
i) ability to use the knowledge acquired for applications in the biotechnological industry;
ii) Ability to apply the basic techniques of molecular biology in the laboratory.

3. Ability to judge
i) ability to identify and solve the main critical aspects of biotechnological industrial sector, with reference to the type of microorganism used, type of productive system, and to the final product to be obtained.

4. Communication skills
i) how to communicate the knowledge learned and the result of its application using appropriate terminology;
ii) how to interact with the teacher and the classmates in a respectful and constructive way, especially during practical exercises in the laboratory.

5. Learning skills
i) how to take notes, selecting and collecting informations according to their importance and priority.
ii) how to make logical connections between the topics of the course and the concepts learned during theorical lessons and laboratory classes.

The topics covered during the course request a good knowledge of BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY, therefore it would be advised (even if not necessary) that the students have already followed this course and passed the exam.

The contents of the course can be divided into three parts, in addition to a brief introduction.

INTRODUCTION
Introduction to the Biotechnology course: principles and applications. Themes of the course and educational material.

PART 1- MICROORGANISMS:
The prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, the model organisms, the transferring mechanisms of the genetic material for prokaryotes. The sporogenic bacteria and sporulation; viruses, with particular reference to bacteriophages; the model eukaryotic microorganisms (S. cerevisiae).

PART 2- MICROBIAL METABOLISM:
(i) Nutritional processes in living organisms: autotrophic and heterotrophic; basic scheme of the metabolic activity of a prokaryotic model organism (E. coli). Glycolysis; Entener-Douroff methabolic pathway;the pentose phosphate pathway; the Krebs cycle. High energy intermediates and the electron transport chain in aerobic metabolism. Beta oxidation of fatty acids; the glyoxyl acid cycle; anaerobic respiration. Denitrification and reduction of sulfate; lactic and alcoholic fermentation; mixed acid fermentation; the methanogens. Chemiolyotrophic-nitrifying microorganisms; aerobic respiration of inorganic compounds; Calvin Benson cycle; bref introduction to phototrophic microorganisms.

(ii) Regulation mechanisms of microbial metabolism: canalization, regulated and inducible enzymes; induction and repression; regulation of the Lac operon.

(iii) The nutritional needs of microorganisms: cultivation media, their general characteristics, synthetic soils and complex soils; selective and differential media.

PART 3 - MICRO-ORGANISMS FOR THE BIOTECHNOLOGIES:
(i) Selection of microorganisms - genetic mutations and how to get mutant microorganisms in biotechnologies.

(ii) Genetic engineering and recombinant DNA techniques: restriction enzymes; molecular vectors (plasmids, bacteriophages and cosmids); DNA ligase. Analytical techniques and manipulation of nucleic acids: gene cloning and retrotranscription; molecular probes and in situ hybridization; DNA replication; PCR technique (polymerase chain reaction) and DNA electrophoresis.

(iv) Industrial fermentation technology: general characteristics, discontinuous, semi-continuous, continuous fermentation; classification of Gaden; growth kinetics and Monod equation; the chemostat.

(v) Examples of Biotechnologies in industrial processes: production of organic acids-citric acid; production of amino acids-lysine; production of hormones such as insulin, growth hormone (GH) and erythropoietin (EPO); production of antibiotics, production of enzymes for the food industry (Rennin or chymosin), GMOs and the food industry, outline of environmental biotechnologies (eg phytoremediation of contaminated soils).

iii) Biotechnology Laboratory: Principles and Applications
The experiences carried out in the laboratory are:
- extraction and purification of genomic DNA;
- Amplification of a nucleotide sequence by PCR technique;
- DNA electrophoresis.

Reference books:
- D.L. Nelson, M.M. Cox: Lehninger Principle of Biochemistry, VII ed., W.H. Freeman and Sapling Learning;
-Alberts et al.: Molecular Biology of the Cell (MBoC), 6th edition, Taylor & Francis;
-Peter J. Russell & Bruce J. Chase: I Genetics, 3rd edition, Pearson;
-Madigan et al.: Brock Biology of Microrganisms, 15th edition, Pearson.

The exam is constituted by an ORAL TEST. The oral exam consists of questions concerning the three parts of the theoretical program plus the molecular biology experiences carried out in the laboratory, as reported in the "Contents" section: the student must demonstrate both the learning of the topics taught in the class and the ability to expose them in a formal manner.
The oral exam lasts about 30 minutes.

The course of "Biotechnologies: Principles and Application" is organized in two sections:
a) theorical lessons
b) laboratory experiences regarding DNA extraction and purification techniques, nucleic acid electrophoresis and PCR technique.

In the "moodle" platform of the University there is teaching material (material projected in the classroom).

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Accommodation and support services for students with disabilities and students with specific learning impairments:
Ca’ Foscari abides by Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding support services and accommodation available to students with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual, hearing and other disabilities (Law 17/1999), and specific learning impairments (Law 170/2010). In the case of disability or impairment that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note takers or interpreters) please contact the Disability and Accessibility Offices in Student Services: disabilita@unive.it

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This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development