Biotechnology

Course Title: Biotechnology

Course Code: ZOL-608

Credit Hours: 4(3+1)

Instructor: Dr Faiza Zubair

DESCRIPTION

An introduction to both principles and applications of molecular biology methods with an emphasis on the application of recombinant DNA technology to animals, plants and microbial organisms. This course describes the use of genetically engineered products to solve environmental problems and cure human diseases.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students should be able to:

1. Understand the difference between old biotechnology and modern biotechnology
2. Explain the general principles of generating transgenic plants, animals and microbes

CONTENTS

1. Introduction to biotechnology
2. Advances in vaccine development
3. Recombinant products expression and transgenic animals and plants
4. Bioreactor design: Introduction to factors affecting bioreactor design. Description of a typical aspartic bioreactor.
5. Bioreactor configurations and scale-up bioreactor system. Design of sterilization systems. Oxygen mass transfer and heat transfer in bioreactor systems.
6. Fermentation broth rheology.
7. Product recovery, waste treatment and safety.
8. Biosensors: Applications of biosensors, transducer technology, principles of biosensors.
9. Recombinant protein production, General aspects of heterologous protein expression.
10. Bacterial expression system-Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis.
11. Saccharomyces cerevisiae a system for expression of heterologous protein.
12. Expression in non-saccharomyces yeast species and filamentous fungi.
13. Enzymes and industry, extremozymes, enzyme evolution.
14. Microbial productions of pharmaceuticals, diagnostic proteins, vaccines, microbial toxins and insecticides.

RECOMMENDED BOOKS

1. Brown, T. A. (2016). Gene cloning and DNA analysis: an introduction. John Wiley & Sons.
2. W. T Godbey 2009. An Introduction to Biotechnology The science, technology and medical applications. Elsewhere.
3. David, B., Jewell, T.R 2000.Biotechnology: demystifying the concept, Oxford University Press.
4. Sedivy, J.M., Joyner, A.L.2000.Gene targeting, Oxford University press
5. Mukhopadhyay, S.N,2004.  Process biotechnology fundamentals,2nd edition. Viva booksPvt.Limited, New Dehli.
6. Goodsell, D.S.,2004.Bionanotechnology: Lessons from nature.John Wiley and Sons Limited.
7. Purohit, S.S.,2002.Biotechnology: Fundamentals and applications, Agrobios publishers.
8. Prave,p.,Faust U., Sittig, W., and Sukatsch, D.A.,2002. Fundamentals of Biotechnology, John Wiley and Sons.
9. Thauer,R., and Wagner,,F.,1991. Biotechnology Focus:Fundamentals applications- Information,Helen Cooper-SchluterCarlHanser,Verlag GmbH and Co.
10. Kalaitzandonakes, N.,2003. The Economic and Environmental Impacts of Argobiotech” A Global Perspective.Kluwer.
11. Tourte, Y., And Tourte, C.2005.Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology; Concepts, Methods and Agronomic applications.Science publishers.
12. Chirtou, P., and Harry Klee, H.,2004.Handbook of plant biotechnology,2-Volume Set.John Wiley And Sons Limited.

RESEARCH PROJECT /PRACTICALS

1. Field trip to an industry with a large scale fermenter.
2. Construction of aerobic and anaerobic bioreactor model.
3. Field trip to the vaccine production unit.

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ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

• Sessional: 10% (Presentation:  5% and Participation:  5%)
• Practical: 15%
• Midterm exam/ Term paper: 25 %
• Final exam: 50%

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