BIOTECH 2010 - Principles of Biotechnology II

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2024

To provide students with a basic understanding on the principles of biotechnology. The aims of this course are to introduce students to some the key process engineering technologies appropriate to the biotechnology industry, to emphasize the role of microorganisms as the basis for classical and molecular biotechnology, and to inform students of the diverse applications of biotechnology to medical science and agriculture.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code BIOTECH 2010
    Course Principles of Biotechnology II
    Coordinating Unit Molec & Biomedical Science
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 4 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Incompatible CHEM ENG 2015
    Restrictions Available only to students enrolled in Bachelor of Biotechnology; Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours); and Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical) with Bachelor of Biotechnology
    Assessment Quizzes, assignment, final exam
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Luis Toronjo-Urquiza

    Course coordinator: Luis Toronjo-Urquiza

    Position: Lecturer for Topic 1 & 2

    E-mail: luis.toronjo-urquiza@adelaide.edu.au / a1227947@adelaide.edu.au

    Office: Annex Building, Room A207

    Consulting times: Monday 10:00-12:00 pm / Thursday 2:00-4:00 pm

    UofA profile: https://researchers.adelaide.edu.au/profile/luis.toronjo-urquiza



    Course Lecturers:

    - Dr John Bruning

    Position: Lecturer for Topic 3

    Email: john.bruning@adelaide.edu.au

    Phone: 08-8313-5218

    Location: Floor/Room 2 43, Molecular Life SciencesLinks to an external site., North Terrace

    Contact Hours: By arrangement, and/or email, and/or after lecture sessions held.



    - Associate Professor Keith Sherwin

    Position: Lecturer for Topic 3

    Email: keith.shearwin@adelaide.edu.au

    Phone: 08-8313-5361

    Location: Floor/Room 2 41, Molecular Life SciencesLinks to an external site., North Terrace

    Contact Hours: By arrangement, and/or email, and/or after lecture sessions held.



    - Dr Kate Wegener

    Position: Lecturer for Topic 3

    Email: kate.wegener@adelaide.edu.au

    Phone: 08-8313-5289

    Location: Floor/Room 2 06 , Molecular Life SciencesLinks to an external site. , North Terrace

    Contact Hours: By arrangement, and/or email, and/or after lecture sessions held.



    - Professor Amanda Able

    Position: Lecturer for Topic 4

    Email: amanda.able@adelaide.edu.au

    Phone: 831 37245

    Location: Floor/Room GN12 , Waite Building , Waite

    Contact Hours: By arrangement, and/or email, and/or after lecture sessions held.






    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

    1 Explain and model engineering bioprocesses and their unit operations
    2 Recognise the factors involved in the expression of proteins and other products by microorganisms
    3 Explain how naturally produced bio-products can be exploited for research & commercial purposes
    4 Devise future studies based on identification of areas of biotechnology that are of specific interest
    The above course learning outcomes are aligned with the Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for the Professional Engineer.

    The course is designed to develop the following Elements of Competency:

    KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL BASE
    1.1 Comprehensive, theory-based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline.
    1.2 Conceptual understanding of the mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences which underpin the engineering discipline.
    1.6 Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the specific discipline.

    ENGINEERING APPLICATION ABILITY
    2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem-solving.
    2.3 Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.

    PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
    3.1.  Ethical conduct and professional accountability.
    3.2.  Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    2,3,4

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    1,2

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1,2

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    2,3,4

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    .

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    1,2,3,4

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    1,2,3,4
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    N/A
    Recommended Resources
    “Methods in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology” Bernard R., Glick & John E. Thompson.
    1993. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida.

    “Plants, Genes, & Crop Biotechnology” Maarten Chrispeels & David Sadavi. 2nd Edition. 2003. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

    "Molecular Biotechnology: Principles and Applications of Recombinant DNA" Bernard R. Glick & Jack J Pasternak. Second Edition. 1998. ASM press, Washington D.C.

    "Biochemical Engineering Fundamentals" J. Bailey & D. Ollis, 2nd Edition, McGraw Hill
    Online Learning
    A range of online resources will be provided via MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The activities for this course are structured by week and include the following activities:

    - Online Theory Lectures

    To be viewed before the Workshop session

    - Practice Workshops

    Solve problems together in class and go through solutions.

    - Tutorials

    The students can book 1 on 1 appointments with the lecturers during consulting times.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Activity Contact Hours Workload hours Expected total workload hours
    Online Lectures 0 30 30
    Workshops 24 26 60
    Tutorials 20 0 20
    Study 0 40 40
    TOTAL 44 96 150
    Learning Activities Summary
    Topic 1 -Introduction to Bioprocess Engineering Principles
    (Bioprocess Engineering)

    · Introduction: biotechnology & biochemical engineering; how biological scientists & engineers work together (e.g. production of a recombinant protein); an overview from petri dish to full-scale production
    · Cell-culture systems: bacterial, plant & mammalian cells.
    · Fermenters: growth kinetics of cells; oxygen transport; modelling of fermenters
    · Downstream Processing: biomass/product recovery and purification


    Topic 2 - Microbial Gene Expression & Microbes
    (Industrial microbiology)

    · Sequencing & Amplification of DNA: sequencing, whole genome sequencing projects.
    · Gene expression in prokaryotes & eukaryotic microbes: strong & reliable promoters; expression hosts (prok vs euk); recombinant protein stability, oxygen limitation; protease-resistant hosts; metabolic load.
    · Molecular diagnostics: immunologicals; DNA-based systems, including rapid hybridisation & PCR.
    · Commercial processes: Product formation 1- fermented food/beverages/fuel alcohol; food supplements; bio-polymers; molecular biologicals; biological insecticides.
    · Product formation 2 - pathway engineering; protein engineering/directed mutagenesis.
    · Production & use of biomass; degradation of xenobiotics; single-cell protein


    Topic 3 - Animal/Medical Biotechnology
    (Medical sciences)

    · Therapeutic agents: enzymes e.g. Dnase, lysases.
    · Vaccines: killed vs live; attenuated; sub-unit vaccines; DNA based vaccination
    · Cutting edge high-throughput methods for genomic and proteomic analysis.
    · Microarrays, mass-spectrophotometry and protein chips.
    · Biologicals
    · Recombinant proteins used as Human and Veterinary therapeutics.
    · Cell-Based Therapies
    · Stem cell therapy, animal transgenesis and cloning.

    Topic 1 - Plant Systems
    (Plant Science)

    · Plant Tissue Culture: What is it and why is it important?
    · Plant Tissue Culture: Methods and applications.
    · Constructs for Plant Genetic Engineering: components and utility.
    · Plant transformation: Methods & techniques; examples - metabolic (starch, oil composition); developmental (e.g. flowering, grain & fruit development, apomixis); physiological (e.g. plant height, seeding vigour, storage); tolerance to environmental stress (e.g. herbicide, disease, drought, salinity, symbiosis).
    · Regulatory Framework: Who governs the industry, OGTR, risk assessment;
    · Functional ‘Omics’: Finding the candidate gene, techniques utilised, genome structure, applications.
    Specific Course Requirements
    N/A
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Weighting (%) Individual/ Group Formative/ Summative Learning outcomes
    Topic 1 Assignment  12.5  Individual Formative and summative 1
    Topic 2 Assignment  12.5 Individual Formative and summative 1-3
    Topic 3 Assignment 12.5 Individual Formative and summative 2-4
    Topic 4 Assignment 12.5 Individual Formative and summative 2-4
    Final examination 50 Individual Summative 1-4
    TOTAL 100
    Assessment Related Requirements
    N/A
    Assessment Detail
    In this course the following assessments will be completed:

    Topic assignments (individual) (50%)

    - Based on the topic content 
    - Each assignment might be different depending on the aims of the lecturer of the topic
    - Each assignment accounts for a maximum of 12.5% 
    - Tutorials are also available for students to help with their assignments and other contents of the course


    Final Exam (individual) (50%) - undertaken during the exam period

    - Final exam is based on the assignments and activities done during workshops
    Submission
    All assignments will be submitted via MyUni.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.