| CODE | BIO5125 | ||||||||||||||||
| TITLE | Biotechnology 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Biology | ||||||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Applied biotechnology is currently one of most important areas with the biological sciences and brings together different scientific disciplines in order to solve some of the most challenging problems in science. Biotechnology features in diverse fields ranging from searches for new bioactive chemicals for the pharmaceutical industry to environmental remediation to food production amongst many others. Biotechnology also contributes significantly to modern economies and therefore offers huge opportunities for both direct employment of specialists in this field as well as opportunities for pursuing careers in research and development. The present study-unit is aimed at equipping students with the necessary knowledge on theoretical and practical aspects of biotechnology. The unit will cover three main areas; namely industrial biotechnology sectors related to the environment, microorganisms and biocatalysts, and biomaterials. Specifically, the parts of this unit that address industrial and environmental biotechnology relate to waste water and waste biomass processing, are principally aimed at recovering precious resources such as biogas from household waste and sewage, as well as fertilisers and water suitable for irrigation from waste water. The area that covers microorganisms and catalysts will include microbial and plant bioremediation to clean up contaminated sites or waters; reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through various forms of carbon sequestration and biochar formation; use of micro-organisms or biocatalaysts in industrial biotechnology; microalgal culture to produce renewable biofuels; exploitation of soil micro-organisms including those involved mycorrhizal associations with cultivated crops, and use of similar soil/aquatic biota for biofermentation and biocatalysts. The area that covers biomaterials will include principles of biomaterials and biomimetics; solving biotechnology-related problems using novel biological materials and novel ideas inspired by nature. Both theoretical and hands-on aspects will be emphasised throughout the study unit. Students will be encouraged to identify seek opportunities wherein applied biotechnology processes are being practiced, so they may build a portfolio of experiences through self-initiative and exploration. This will be achieved through consideration key concepts, techniques and procedures within industrial biotechnology; namely, environment-related waste remediation, culture of naturally occurring organisms including microalgae, mycorrhizae and other microbes to create value-added products, and imitating and using nature as a source of novel materials and ideas. The following will be covered: Environment-related topics in Industrial Biotechnology - Waste water Processing; - Reduction of organic waste - biogas production, composting, vermicomposting; - Waste biomass processing - lignocellulose processing using ultrasound; - Microbial bioremediation of contaminated industrial sites and clean up after accidental spills; - Plant bioremediation (phytoremediation) of contaminated industrial sites and clean up after accidental spills; - Greenhouse gas reduction - carbon sequestration and biochar technology for locking carbon. Use of microorganisms and biocatalysts - Biocatalyst production; - Novel mycorrhizal inocula to increase environmental stress resistance in crops; - Biofermentation for pharmaceutical production; - Microalgal culture for fish food and biofuels; - Microalgal culture for carotenoid pigments and antioxidants. Materials and Processes inspired by nature - Biomaterials; - Biomimetics - design by nature. Study-unit Aims: This study-unit is mainly aimed at equipping students with knowledge of: - The applications of biological characteristics of living organisms on an industrial scale, for example, in diverse fields such as waste management and resource recovery, crop production, production of value added products using microbes, biocatalysts and biomaterials. - Main areas of industrial biotechnology at sufficient depth such that the student will be able to appreciate how the underlying biology theory can be used in diverse applications. - The complex and often sophisticated processes involved in the design, application and execution of these technologies on an industrial scale. - Present and future challenges in the main sectors of industrial biotechnology, and the need to find solutions. - The potential for revenue generation from industrial scale biotechnology applications and entrepreneurial potential. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Describe and appreciate, at a detailed level, the depth and scope of the three industrial biotechnology sectors covered by this unit. - Describe and understand the principles underlying applied biology as applicable to the three main areas of industrial biotechnology and how these can be applied to the production of high value products. - Appreciate at first hand some fairly sophisticated biotechnological processes in terms of design, application and execution. - Describe and understand how the unique properties of microbes may be harnessed for beneficial biotechnological processes with high economic returns including in the field of waste processing, bioremediation and greenhouse gas reductions, biocatalyst fermentation and biomaterials. - Describe and understand how meticulous study of natural processes especially how nature arrives at solutions, can be imitated and transformed into industrial scale biotechnologies. - Appreciate the complexity of risks, regulations and IP rights associated with industrial scale biotechnology. - Appreciate commercial biotechnology activities and how these are used by some specialised companies operating in Malta and abroad. - Appreciate the relevance of the topics covered as part of the present study unit for future employment possibilities in industry. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Critically appraise different approaches to industrial biotechnology processes; - Explain complex processes by starting from first principles and be aware of the logistics of applying these to biotechnology on an industrial scale. - Identify and apply a number of biotechnology processes that have a particular local nature and potential for application. - Critically appraise and interpret data in the published literature related to particular aspects of the study unit. - Carry out a range of core practical procedures that relate to strict execution of protocols and techniques associated within biotechnology. - Work as part of a team and apply collaborative skills to solve problems, complete laboratory investigations and procedures, and undertake related work in an industrial setting. - Organise and interpret data collected from lab-based experiments or field work and communicate the findings in a written form, oral presentations and interviews and meetings. - Acquire the necessary handling and knowledge skills necessary to work with the necessary competence and with a high degree of flexibility in industry and other entities that deal with biotechnological procedures. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: ACQUAAH, G. (2004) Understanding Biotechnology. An integrated and cyber-based approach Pearson Prentice Hall. BARNUM, S. R. (2006) Biotechnology, An Introduction. (2nd Edition),Thompson, Brooks & Cole, UK. BOWSHER, C., STEER, M. and TOBIN, A. (2008) Plant Biochemistry, Garland Science. HARBORNE, J. B. (3rd Edition) (1998) Phytochemical Methods, A guide to Modern Techniques of Plant Analysis, Chapman and Hall, London. RATLEDGE, C and KRISTIANSEN, B (2006) Basic Biotechnology (3rd Edition). Cambridge University Press, UK. RENNEBERG, R. and DEMAIN, A. L. (Editor) (2008) Biotechnology for Beginners, Elsevier, Amsterdam. SEIDMAN, L.A. and MOORE, C.J. (2nd Edition) (2009) Basic Laboratory Methods for Biotechnology Pearsons Benjamin Cummings, USA. THIEMAN, W.J. and PALLADINO, M.A. Introduction to Biotechnology (3rd Edition). (2004) Pearson Benjamin Cummings. SLATER, A., SCOTT, N. W. and FOWLER, M. R. (2008) Plant Biotechnology – the genetic manipulation of plants. (2nd edition) Oxford University Press, UK. Supplementary Readings: ADDS, J., LARKCOM, E. and MILLER, R. (1998) Micro-organisms and Biotechnology, Nelson Advanced Molecular Science, Thomas Nelson and Sons Ltd., UK. BAINS, W. (1998) Biotechnology from A to Z. Oxford University Press. BECKER, E.W. (2008) Microalgae, Biotechnology and Microbiology, Cambridge University Press, UK. BOURGAIZE, D., JEWELL, T. R. and BUISER, R. G. (2000) Biotechnology: Demystifying the Concepts, 416 pages, Publisher: Pearson Education. DAVET, P. and ROUXEL, F. (1997) Detection and Isolation of Soil Fungi, Science Publishers, Inc, Plymouth, UK. DEWICK, P. M (3rd Edition) (2009) Medicinal Natural Products, A Biosynthetic Approach, John Wiley and Sons ltd., UK. GLICK, B.R. and PASTERNAK, J.J. (2nd Edition) (1998) Molecular Biotechnology. ASM Press. NAGAMANI, A., KUNWAR, I. K. and MANOHARACHARY, C. (2005) Handbook of Soil Fungi, I. K International PYT, Ltd., New Delhi. PEREZ GUTIERREZ, R. M. (2006) Handbook of Naturally Occurring Compounds with Antioxidant Activity in Plants, Nova Science Publishers Inc., New York. TAYLOR, J. (1992) Micro-organisms and Biotechnology, University of Batch Science series, Thomas Nelson and Sons Ltd., UK. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Independent Study & Placement | ||||||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Christian Borg Joseph Buhagiar Simeon Deguara Marco Iannaccone |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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