7 ECTS credits
175 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4004046FNR for all students in the 1st and 2nd semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.
Theory (39 h HOC):
- cell cultivation techniques and upstream processing:
fundamental aspects of microbial, animal and plant cell cultivation
nutritional requirements of cell cultivation (cel nutrients, culture media and medium formulation)
cultivation of microbial cells (preparation of culture media, sterilisation of culture media, inoculum buildup)
- microbial cells - sources, physiological control and strain improvement:
source and maintenance of microorganisms
screening for microorganisms (screening methods)
biocatalyst development (physiological control, strain improvement by mutation and selection, genetic recombination, omics)
- microbial kinetics:
vegetative growth of unicellular microorganisms, namely bacteria, yeasts and filamentous fungi (quantification of growth, specific growth parameters, stoechiometry)
process engineering (physical and chemical control of the microbial cell environment with emphasis on temperature, degree of acidity, dissolved oxygen concentration and heat generation)
model development for microbial kinetics (equation of Monod, exponential growth and sigmoidal batch growth curve, cubic pellet growth and diffusion limitations, linear law of substrate consumption, equation of Luedeking-Piret, enzyme production)
- analysis and design of fermentors:
construction and function of a fermentor
classification of fermentors based on the cultivation principle (batch, continuous culture with emphasis on chemostat, chemostat with cell recirculation, series of chemostats, fed-batch; homogenous and heterogenous reactors with emphasis on the solid state fermentation process; tank, column and tower or loop fermentors)
classification of fermentors based on the aeration system (surface culture and submerged culture, static and dynamic aerators)
classification of fermentors based on the agitation system (survey)
- applications of industrial fermentation processes:
production of biomass (bakers yeast, starter cultures and food supplements, soil and seed inocula, single cell protein and single cell oil, vaccines)
production of primary metablites: alcohols, solvents, organic acids, amino acids, vitamins, coenzymes and pigments, nucleotides and derivatives.
Theoretical problems (9 h WPO) and computer probems (12 h WPO):
- data analysis (linear and non-linear regression) and interactive simulation (PC, Excel);
- stoechiometry of microbial growth and product formation;
- microbial kinetics;
- determination of the biokinetic parameters mumax, Ks, Y'x/s and ms;
- kinetics of batch, chemostat and fed-batch fermentation processes.
Excursions (18 h WPO):
During two full days, excursions companies active in industrial fermentations are visited: enzyme production, bakers yeast production, and citric acid production.
Theoretical and computer problem solving, practicals and excursions are mandatory.
- To know, to understand and to apply the basic principles of strain improvement, biochemical deregulation of metabolic pathways and fermentation techniques
- To derive formulas concerning the kinetics of microbial growth, product formation and cultivation principles (batch, continuous culture, fed-batch) and to use them to solve simple problems
- To use the studied basic principles, kinetics and cultivation principles to analyse industrial fermentation processes (biomass production, production of primary metabolites, production of secondary metabolites, enzyme production, production of recombinant proteins)
- To use the principles concerning microbial physiology on the one hand and fermentation techniques on the other hand to develop appropriate fermentation strategies with a high productivity for a given microbial strain and/or metabolite.
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 60% of the final mark.
Written Exam determines 40% of the final mark.
Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Oral examination to test the student's knowledge and analysis of basic principles of strain improvement and biochemical deregulation of metabolic pathways for known industrial fermentation processes; microbial kinetics and fermentation techniques; terminology.
Written examination to apply microbial kinetics and fermentation techniques to solve simple mathematical problems (computer use).
Points: written 8 and oral 12 out of a total of 20 points.
Names of microorganisms, enzymes and chemical formules need to be known. If this is not the case, the student can not pass.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Bioengineering Sciences: Cell and Gene Biotechnology: Medical Biotechnology (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Bioengineering Sciences: Cell and Gene Biotechnology: Molecular Biotechnology (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Bioengineering Sciences: Cell and Gene Biotechnology: Agrobiotechnology (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Bioengineering Sciences: Chemistry and Bioprocess Technology: Food Biotechnology (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Bioengineering Sciences: Chemistry and Bioprocess Technology: Chemical Biotechnology (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Bioengineering Sciences: Chemistry and Bioprocess Technology: Biochemical Biotechnology (only offered in Dutch)