NBIK13017U Molecular Biotechnology

Volume 2024/2025
Education

MSc Programme in Biochemistry
MSc Programme in Biology

Content

The theoretical part includes:

  • A thorough review of organisms used for recombinant protein production
  • Protein purification related to recombinant protein production.
  • Quality control of recombinant proteins
  • Protein quality in relation to application
  • Optimization of recombinant protein production
  • Large scale growth of host organism
  • Industrial recombinant protein production with experts from Industry
Learning Outcome

Knowledge:

Molecular Biotechnology focuses on how to apply a thorough knowledge on fundamental molecular biology, genetics and protein chemistry to rationalize recombinant protein production on a lab scale as well as on an industrial scale. The student will gain in depth knowledge on the organisms used in industry for recombinant protein production. This will include bacteria, eukaryotic microorganisms and mammalian cell lines as well as intact organisms. The student will obtain knowledge to select the most optimal host cell for production of a specific protein.

Skills:

The student gains core competences within recombinant protein production as an important tool in the research laboratory and a billion dollar business for the biotech industry. A number of different cell factories are available for recombinant protein production. The degree of confidence with recombinant protein production obtained during the course allows the student to evaluate benefits and draw backs related to selection of host organism and protein purification. The student will get familiar with how to optimize recombinant protein production by applying methods from molecular biology, genetics and protein science. The student will be able to critically evaluate the potential of a specific host organism in relation to the intended application of the recombinant protein.

Competences:

The competences obtained by the student include

  • to interpret and evaluate data from the scientific literature related to recombinant protein production

  • to design recombinant protein production and purification experiments

  • to select an expression host compatible with desired quality of the recombinant protein product

  • to evaluate possibilities for setting up recombinant protein production on a laboratory and industrial scale

  • to make a literature study on a subject related to recombinant protein production and make an oral presentation of the outcome.

Literature

See Absalon

Knowledge corresponding to the content of the courses: Biochemistry 2, Biochemistry 3, Genetechnology, Genetechnology-nano, Protein Science or equivalent.

Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is recommended.
Online lectures, guest lectures on campus, colloquia live on campus.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 28
  • Class Instruction
  • 28
  • Preparation
  • 150
  • Total
  • 206
Oral
Individual
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment, 7 days
Type of assessment details
Written take-home assignment.
Exam registration requirements

The student must make an oral presentation in class. The presentation is 30 minutes long and can be made in groups of two.

 

Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
One internal examiner
Re-exam

If the student has not fulfilled the exam registration requirements the student must hand in a written assignment to the teacher no later than three weeks before the reexam. The teacher decides the topic of the assignment and the assignment must be approved.

Criteria for exam assesment

In order to obtain the grade 12 the student should convincingly and accurately demonstrate the knowledge, skills and competences described under Learning Outcome.