Food and Industrial Biotechnology

General objectives At the end of the course and after the exam, students will be able to know the main methods of genome editing for microorganisms, design the genetic improvement of industrial strains and critically read articles in international scientific journals concerning the topics of the course. Based on the knowledge acquired, the student will have the ability to interpret and explain the applications of synthetic biology and the reprogramming of metabolic circuits for the acquisition of new biosynthetic tasks. Students' critical and judgment skills will be developed thanks to classroom exercises with numerical exercises and practical laboratory experiences. Communication skills will be exercised during the theoretical lessons, which include moments of open discussion. In the future, students will be able to integrate the knowledge and skills just described for the applications of synthetic biology in various fields such as food production, biological drugs and biofuels. Specific Objectives. a) knowledge and understanding: Knowledge and understanding of the principles of synthetic biology and metabolic engineering; Knowledge and understanding of the physiology and genetics of microorganisms used in synthetic biology Knowledge and understanding of the main genome editing techniques on microorganisms of interest b) ability to apply knowledge and understanding: ability to describe and explain the physiology of industrial microorganisms; ability to apply appropriate techniques to industrial production problems; c) autonomy of judgment: knowing how to independently solve microbial growth problems; being able to identify the best microorganisms for the production of a metabolite of interest; knowing how to select and evaluate the most appropriate techniques to rewire the metabolism towards the production of a desired metabolite; d) communication skills: knowing how to illustrate and explain the physiology of the microorganisms of interest with appropriate terms; being able to describe the main molecular techniques for the modification of microorganisms being able to describe the synthetic biology applications described during lessons; e) learning ability: acquisition of the fundamentals and cognitive tools to autonomously continue in the deepening of microbial biotechnologies; acquisition of basic knowledge for the applications of synthetic biology and metabolic engineering. ability to apply biochemical and molecular techniques in laboratories;