Module Identifier BS33920  
Module Title MICROBIAL PHYSIOLOGY, BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY  
Academic Year 2001/2002  
Co-ordinator Dr Roy Goodacre  
Semester Semester 1  
Other staff Professor Douglas Kell, Dr David Hopper, Dr Mustak Kaderbhai, Dr Michael Winson  
Pre-Requisite BS20320 , BS11110 , BS10910  
Course delivery Lecture   30 Hours  
  Seminar   3  
Assessment Practical exercise   Two computational exercises   20%  
  Exam   2 Hours One 2-hour theory paper   80%  
  Resit assessment   One 2-hour theory paper & two computational exercises    

Aims and objectives


In the post-genomic era microbial physiology and biochemistry are of paramount importance and this module will provide theoretical training in the processes involved in microbial growth and its control. The content will emphasise the immense diverse environments that microbes inhabit and how this unlimited source of biological activity can be exploited for biotechnological purposes. Basic foundation in microbial metabolism including examples of biochemical diversity and illustrations of industrial bioprocesses, microbial biotransformations and bioremediation will be included.

Content


The lectures cover the following topics:
? Introduction to the ubiquity of microbes.
? Nutrition of microorganisms.
? Definitions of how organisms are grouped based on physiological parameters.
? Growth of microorganisms in artificial culture.
? Inhibition of growth and death.
? Microbes in the environment.
? Diversity of aerobic and anaerobic metabolism.
? Diversity of microbial fermentations.
? Bacteria as individuals rather than a population.
? Screening for new metabolites and strain development.
? Industrial methods of fermentation and downstream product recovery.
? Industrial processes using microorganisms, with worked examples.
? Microbial biotransformations.

Learning outcomes


On completion of this module students will


? be familiar with the growth of microorganisms in artificial culture, appreciate how their growth is inhibited and how their physiology will change depending on the environment they inhabit
? appreciate that bacteria are individuals and represent a heterogeneous population
? be aware of the immense metabolic versatility of bacteria and fungi, which allows them to be capable of growth almost anywhere
? be aware of the current research strategies in the industrial sector that exploit microbial bioprocesses to over-produce many medically and economically important compounds.

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Neidhardt, F.C. Ingraham, J.L. & Schaechter, M.. (1990) Physiology of the bacterial cell : a molecular approach. Massachusetts: Sinauer.
Nicholls, D.G & Fergusson, S.J.. (1992) Bioenergetics 2. Academic press.
Schlegel, H.G.. (1986) General microbiology. 6th. Cambridge University Press.
BU'Lock, J. & Kristiansen, B.. (1987) Basic Biotechnology. New York: Academic Press.
Crueger, W. & Crueger, A.. (1989) Biotechnology: A textbook of industrial microbiology. Massachusetts: Sinauer.
Dawes, A.e.. (1986) Microbial energetics. Blackie.
Moat, A.G. & Foster, J.W.. (1995) Microbial Physiology. 3rd. New York: Wiley-Liss.