LPLK10360U From Plants to Bioenergy

Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSc Programme in Agriculture
MSc Programme in Biology-Biotechnology
Content
This international course is based on the premise that demands are set by EU and globally for utilization of bioenergy in transportation by converting lignocellulosic biomass into ethanol and other liquid energy carriers. There is a demand for candidates that have sufficient understanding of the molecular breeding and carbohydrate chemistry to develop technologies for this new direction in the roadmap of biofuel study and production. Topics covered are:

• Carbon and Nitrogen partitioning
• Cell wall components and their structure
• Molecular plant breeding strategies for biomass target traits
• Process enzymology
• Chemistry and physics of carbohydrates and lignocelluloses
• Conversion technologies for biomass to energy carriers
• Biomass crop production in temperate and tropical area
Learning Outcome
Learning Outcome
The course will provide the theoretical bases for understanding carbon and nitrogen sequestration in plants, the biosynthesis and structure of type I and type II plant cell walls, introduction to enzymes for plant polymer conversion and methods for processing and conversion of biomass into solid and liquid carriers. The principles of forward and reverse genetics will be provided and strategies for utilizing candidate genes in molecular breeding for plants with improve biomass conversion potential presented. The perspectives for biomass crop production in temperate and tropical areas will be discussed and put in a socio-economics and environmental context.

Knowledge
• Describe the structure and biochemistry of carbohydrates, cellulose, ligno-cellulose
• Give an overview of enzymes implicated in the biosynthesis of plant cell walls
• Describe molecular breeding towards altering biomass make-up
• Describe the function of hydrolytic enzymes important for plant polymer conversion
• Summarize processing and conversion of biomass to solid and liquid energy carriers

Skills
• Compare differences in cell wall structure and composition between plant species
• Apply reverse genetic tools to modify biomass composition
• Identify target genes encoding enzymes relevant for bioconversion
• Participate in academic discussions on sustainability of bioenergy production systems

Competencies
• Assessment of C- and N- sequestration in different crop plants in response to growth condition
• Evaluate feasibility of forward and reverse genetics of improved biomass conversion
• Propose an ideal crop plant for bioenergy
Literature

Compendium of articles, laboratory notes and mongraphs

Bachelor degree in biology, biotechnology or similar plant science
Teaching methods Foundation lectures will give overview of plant genetics and genome structure. Lectures will be dedicated to biomass components, cell wall structures, lignocellulose, starch and carbohydrate chemistry. Exercises will build students skills of applying empirical and dynamic models on investigating the relations biomass conversion using prediction software. Self studies will build students capacity to review and identify the most important relations in dynamic and complex settings summarized and presented for the general reader following the Nature News in Science concept. Practicals will include carbohydrate-arrays and anatomy by microscopy survey of plant tissues. Excusions to industrial plants converting biomass and producers of converting enzymes. Group presentations and discussions will build competencies in terms of presenting and discussing on an academic level on complex issue.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Excursions
  • 20
  • Lectures
  • 74
  • Practical exercises
  • 20
  • Preparation
  • 60
  • Theory exercises
  • 32
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination, 4 hours under invigilation
Written exam in lecture hall
Exam registration requirements
Participation in 80% of teaching activity, which includes lectures, lab exercises, poster preparation and excusions.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
One external examinator
Re-exam
If 10 or fewer register for the reexamination the examination form will be oral.
Criteria for exam assesment
See learning outcome