Inter Applied Chemistry Programme 6 -

A practical approach to novel industrial enzymes

Dr Natasha Bozic

The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the technologies of industrial enzymes discovery and manufacturing and to provide in depth insight about the advantages of using enzyme preparations in industry.

Lectures will cover the common workflows of industrial enzymology including following topics: general enzyme terminology, nomenclature and classification, enzyme activity and structure; fundamentals of enzyme kinetics: enzyme purification – why to do and when not to do, possible sources of enzymes, recombinant technology, enzymes from genetically modified organisms; engineering enzymes: directed evolution and rational design of biocatalysts;, the selection of strains and fermentation medium, introduction to biochemical and bioprocess engineering, bioreactor design and downstream processing; techniques of immobilization, enzymes in industrial polysaccharides bioconversion processes, starch syrups, bio-ethanol manufacturing; enzymatic modifications of food proteins; new enzymes in biotransformation; therapeutic enzymes, enzymes as analytical reagents, biosensors.

Practical classes will consist of 30h lab work on: a) soil-strain isolation and screening for amylase activity and b) fermentation technology (preparation of media, sterilization, inoculation, batch fermentation, and recombinant enzyme production); downstream processing, measurement of enzyme activity and concentration; application in biocatalysis.

Students will be divided into small groups (3-4 students) and assigned a research project. The topics will be given at the beginning of semester and they will involve literature research and preparation of a research proposal to study/solve the given problem. Presentations for these colloquiums will be given during last week of lectures and will be graded. Involvement in practical classes will also be graded. Final grade will consist of combination of colloquium, practical course and short test which will be given at the end of the course.

The outcome of the course will be overview of the applied enzymology and the approaches used to discover and produce enzymes of industrial importance. Advice for further reading and consultation on possible research projects will follow up at the end of the course.

Dr. Natasa Bozic
Department of Chemistry
Institute for Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy
University of Belgrade
Serbia