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Enzyme Technology

Objectives

The students should acquire knowledge to understand the processes of selection, production and purification of a biocatalyst as well as its application and modelling in bioreactors, namely through immobilization techniques.

General characterization

Code

10688

Credits

6.0

Responsible teacher

Ana Cecília Afonso Roque, Maria Filomena Andrade de Freitas

Hours

Weekly - 4

Total - 68

Teaching language

Português

Prerequisites

none

Bibliography

[1] Klaus Buchholz, Volker Kasche, Uwe Theo Bornscheuer (2005), “Biocatalysts and Enzyme Technology”, Wiley-VCH.

[2] Gama, M, Aires-Barros, MR, Cabral, J (2003), "Engenharia Enzinmática", Lidel, ISBN 9789727572724 | 272 págs.

Teaching method

The unit of Enzyme Technology consists of three components: theoretical (T), theory and practice (TP) and practice (P).

The TP component is based on problem solving with students about the content covered in the theoretical component.

Evaluation method

 

 STUDENTS EVALUATION:

Students Evaluation will be performed as follows for first enrollment students: 

Individual assessment component T and TP, worth 60% of final grade: Two tests to be done during the classes period OR an exam in exam period (average of 2 tests OR examination will have to be at least 9.5val). If the student does not obtain 9.5valthrough the average of the two tests, it will be necessary to go to EXAM. 

Evaluation of P component, worth 40% of final grade: One laboratory class,where a small individual test is applied; one report will be delivered to theteachers (MANDATORY).  This is a group work (3or 4students per group). The student must obtain at least 9.5values in the individual lab test (10%) + report (30%). 

Students Evaluation will be performed as follows for those who are not in their first enrollment: Individual assessment component T and TP, worth 60 % of final grade: Two tests to be done during the classes period OR an exam in exam period (average of 2 tests OR examination will have to be at least 9.5val). If the student does not obtain 9.5valthrough the average of the two tests, it will be necessary to go to EXAM. 

Evaluation of component P: If the student attended the Lab classes (or equivalent) in previous years and got a final this component greater than or equal to 9.5val he/she is NOT required to perform the P component this academic year. The score at the P component from previous years will remain effective and will be worth 40% of the final grade. However, if the student wishes to improve the grade obtained in previous years, he/she needs to warn the teacher that intention DURING THE 1st WEEK OF CLASSES. 

Subject matter

(i) Enzyme structure and function.

(ii) Activity and stability of enzymes.

(iii) Enzyme production and purification.Sources of biocatalysts. Methods for enzyme recovery: solid-liquid separation, cell lysis and disruption, protein precipitation, aqueous two-phase liquid extraction, chromatography.

(iv) Protein engineering, molecular modelling. Immobilization of biocatalysts.

(v) Characterization of immobilised biocatalysts. Effects of immobilization on enzyme kinetics, internal and external diffusional limitations.

(vi) Reactors with biocatalysts (soluble and immobilized biocatalysts), project and analysis. Continuous stirred tank reactor, plug flow reactor, batch reactor.