This is an intensive three week hands-on laboratory course in applied microbiology, fermentation technology, and biocatalysis methods. The experiments performed in this laboratory course have been contributed (or inspired) by faculty at the University of Minnesota affiliated with the Biological Process Technology Institute (BPTI), industrial scientists, or from other biochemistry and biochemical engineering programs. These experiments are designed to introduce basic techniques in: fermentation technology using recombinant microorganisms and organisms optimized using classical genetic techniques, quantitative process-focused microbiology, process optimization, and biochemical engineering. One or more off-campus plant tours will also be included as time permits.

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This course presents an intensive summary of the genetics, biochemistry, and kinetics of microorganisms and enzymes of industrial interest. An overview of recombinant protein over expression by microorganisms and yeast is included along with: screening strategies for drug discovery, bioassays, microbial polymer synthesis, antibiotic biosynthesis, production of organic acids, microbial cells as a protein source, discovery and production of industrially useful enzymes, and microbial production of vitamins and amino acids. An introduction will also be given to screening methods, genetic methods for optimization of microorganisms and enzymes of industrial interest, and large scale industrial fermentation methods. Included in the course will be lectures, student presentations, and in some cases field trips to local companies. Previous course work in general microbiology, biochemistry, microbial physiology, genetics, and molecular biology or permission of the instructor is required for admission to MicB/BioC 5352.

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This course is the second course in a two semester microbial biochemistry and biotechnology series for advanced undergraduates and graduate students. This series is taught by the faculty of the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics and the BioTechnology Institute. The first part of this series, BioC 5352 Part I. , will be offered again in spring semester 2005 however the courses need not be taken in sequence and are updated annually. Previous course work in general microbiology, biochemistry, microbial physiology, genetics, and molecular biology or permission of the instructor is required for admission to the BioC 5352, BioC 5353 series.

The microbial biochemistry and biotechnology of small molecules emphasizes aerobic and anaerobic microbial metabolism related to primary and secondary metabolites that are produced as commercial products. Topics to be covered this semester include: metabolic engineering and screening strategies, directed evolution of new enzymes for construction of pathways, combinatorial methods for generating new pharmaceutically active natural products, classical and automated screening strategies, antibiotic biosynthesis, production of organic acids, alcohols, amino acids, vitamins, co-enzymes, flavor enhancing compounds, corrotenoids, pigments, aroma coumpounds, and useful gases.

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