Enzymatic Engineering

Students must have knowledge of structural Biochemistry, namely the structure, function and properties of proteins and Chemical and Biological Reactors, mass balance of reactors and modes of operation.

Lecture (T) classes are expository using a PowerPoint slides projection. In practical (TP) classes the different chapters exercise sheets are solved. Students are encouraged to participate with questions and comments during both lecture and practical classes. There will be classes for the preparation, presentation and discussion of seminars prepared by the students.

The learning objectives in this course is to provide students with the ability to: i) define the role of enzymes in biotechnological applications; ii) describe the properties and functions of enzymes; iii) identify the types of enzymatic catalysis mechanisms; iv) describe the biocatalysis process in unconventional means; v) model the enzyme kinetics; vi) identify the main types of enzyme inhibition; vii) determine the effect of enzyme immobilization on their kinetics; viii) model the main types of reactors with immobilized enzymes; ix) a holistic perspective of enzyme applications, both in industry and as biosensors for monitoring biological functions.

1. Enzymes properties Classification and nomenclature. Specificity of enzymes. Enzyme catalysis mechanisms.

2. Kinetics and enzymatic stability. Michaelis-Menten model. Alternative and complementary models. Graphical determination of kinetic constants. Enzymatic activity and stability. Effect of pH and temperature on enzyme kinetics. Types of enzyme inhibition.

3. Reactors with enzymes. Main types of reactors.

4. Immobilization of enzymes. Support media types and immobilization techniques. Effects on the enzymatic properties and kinetics.

5. Biocatalysis in non-conventional systems. Biocatalysis in aqueous systems, organic solvents, ionic liquids, supercritical fluids, solid-solid systems and liquid-solid systems.

6. Enzyme technology main industrial applications of enzymes. Biosensors and enzymatic clinical diagnostics. Enzymes for industrial, pharmaceutical, food and environmental use.

The evaluation will be continuous and periodic and will take into account:

(C1) Exam (70% of the final grade):

Achievement of a exam at the end of the semester whose classification must be higher than 7.5 values. To perform the exame it is not allowed to consult any document, being necessary to use a calculating machine.

(C2) Seminar (30% of the final grade):

Preparation, in groups of 2 or 3 students (depending on the total number of students enrolled in the course this academic year), and presentation of a written paper on enzymatic technologies.

The final classification is obtained by the sum of the contributions of the various components. FC= 0,7*C1 + 0,3*C2

In order to pass the Enzymatic Engineering course, students must obtain a minimum overall mark of 10 values. However, as already mentioned, the exam classification must be higher than 7.5 values.

For ordinary students the classification of component C2 of the evaluation will be valid throughout the academic year and can not be replaced by another type of evaluation.

Student workers may be excused from the component C2, in which case the classification of the exam about all the subjets will be worth 100%.

NAO