INDUSTRIAL BIOCATALYSIS

Degree course: 
Corso di Second cycle degree in Biotechnology for the Bio-based and Health Industry
Academic year when starting the degree: 
2021/2022
Year: 
1
Academic year in which the course will be held: 
2021/2022
Course type: 
Supplementary compulsory subjects
Language: 
English
Credits: 
6
Period: 
Second semester
Standard lectures hours: 
52
Detail of lecture’s hours: 
Lesson (40 hours), Laboratory (12 hours)
Requirements: 

Basis of enzymology and knowledge of general and organic chemistry acquired during the bachelor.

Final Examination: 
Orale

The final evaluation will be an oral exam, with the objective of assessing the level of knowledge acquired by the candidate on topics described in the syllabus. At the end of the course, each student has to give the teacher a report on laboratory activities. The report will have a mark out of 30. The final exam will start discussing a recent research paper or patent, selected by the candidate, describing an industrially relevant application of biocatalysis. Proficiency in laboratory activities is evaluated with specific questions combined with the report mark. Final mark is out of 30 (80% theory + 20% laboratory), with minimum 18/30 to pass the exam.

Assessment: 
Voto Finale

Attending this course, students acquire knowledge of fundamental aspects of biocatalysis applied to industrial processes: stereochemical feature of biocatalysis; immobilization and use of biocatalysts; green chemistry principles in biocatalysis. They will be able to solve specific tasks in the optimization and design of biocatalytic processes. In brief they will be able to: assess the feasibility of a biocatalytic process, select the ideal protocol with emphasis on stereochemical and sustainability features and improve existing biocatalytic processes. At the end of the course, students can spend his competences in fine chemicals, food, pharmaceuticals, and materials industries.

1 – Principles of biocatalysis
1.1 – Introduction to biocatalysis
1.2 – Advantages and disadvantages of biocatalysts
2 – Concepts in Biocatalysis
2.1 – Chemoselectivity, regioselectivity and stereoselectivity
2.2 – Kinetic Resolutions of racemic mixtures
2.3 – Dynamic Kinetic Resolution
2.4 – Transformations with prochiral and meso compounds
3 – Selected classes of biocatalysed reactions
3.1 – Hydrolytic reactions: amidases, esterases and proteases.
3.2 – Redox reactions
3.3 – Transfer reactions: transaminases
4 – Use of enzymes in catalysis
4.1 – Production and isolation of enzymes
4.2 – Enzymes in organic solvents
4.3 – Immobilization of enzymes
4.4 – Reaction and Process Engineering
5 – Biocatalysis and sustainable chemistry
5.1 – Green chemistry principles and metrics
5.2 – Examples of green biocatalytic processes
5.3 – Biotechnology for the production of chemicals
6 – Industrial application of biocatalysis
6.1 – Selected examples of biocatalysis in industry
7 – Invited Seminars
8 – Laboratory
8.1 – Practical activity to practice with some key aspects of the course (e.g., immobilization of enzymes, biocatalytic processes, and reaction engineering)

1 – Principles of biocatalysis
1.1 – Introduction to biocatalysis
1.2 – Advantages and disadvantages of biocatalysts
2 – Concepts in Biocatalysis
2.1 – Chemoselectivity, regioselectivity and stereoselectivity
2.2 – Kinetic Resolutions of racemic mixtures
2.3 – Dynamic Kinetic Resolution
2.4 – Transformations with prochiral and meso compounds
3 – Selected classes of biocatalysed reactions
3.1 – Hydrolytic reactions: amidases, esterases and proteases.
3.2 – Redox reactions
3.3 – Transfer reactions: transaminases
4 – Use of enzymes in catalysis
4.1 – Production and isolation of enzymes
4.2 – Enzymes in organic solvents
4.3 – Immobilization of enzymes
4.4 – Reaction and Process Engineering
5 – Industrial application of biocatalysis
5.1 – Selected examples of biocatalysis in industry
6 – Biocatalysis and sustainable chemistry
6.1 – Green chemistry principles and metrics
6.2 – Examples of green biocatalytic processes
6.3 – Biotechnology for the production of chemicals
6.4 – Biotechnology for the production of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals
8 – Laboratory
8.1 – Practical activity to practice with some key aspects of the course (e.g., immobilization of enzymes, biocatalytic processes, and reaction engineering)

- Enzyme Catalysis in Organic Synthesis, three volumes set, 3rd ed. K. Drauz, H. Gröger and O. May. Wiley-VCH Verlag & Co 2012.
- Biotransformations in Organic Chemistry A Textbook, 7th ed. K. Faber. Springer International Publishing AG 2018.
- Biocatalysis: Fundamentals and Applications, A. S. Bommarius and B. R. Riebel. Wiley-VCH Verlag & Co 2004.
- Industrial Biotransformations, A. Liese, K. Seelbach and C. Wandrey. Wiley-VCH Verlag & Co 2006.
- Biocatalysis in Polymer Chemistry, K. Loos. Wiley-VCH Verlag & Co 2011.
- Green Biocatalysis, R. N. Patel. John Wiley & Sons, Inc 2016.

Convenzionale

The course consists of 40 hours of frontal lessons (20 lessons) and 12 h of practical activity. Lessons are supported by PowerPoint but the use of textbooks is warmly suggested. Some lessons will be given by invited professors and experts. Attendance to at least 75% of practical activities is mandatory.

Teacher will meet students upon appointment scheduled by email.