NSCPHD1145 Summer course on Synthetic biology in photosynthetic organisms - PhotoSYNTHETICbiology
Volume 2014/2015
Content
Synthetic biology is the
engineering of biology: the deliberate (re)design and
construction of novel biological and biologically based parts,
devices and systems to perform new functions for useful purposes,
that draws on principles elucidated from biology and engineering.
In this context photosynthetic organisms like cyanobacteria, algae and plants are interesting since these holds the promise for truly sustainable production of high-value compounds like pharmaceutical, commodity chemicals or even fuels. Traditionally, the organisms of choice for synthetic biology have been E. coli and yeast and the use of photosynthetic organisms is a new and rapidly developing field where University of Copenhagen has a lead. In the future, synthetic biology in plant science will not only have a great potential both for redirecting and engineering of new biosynthetic pathways but also for improving yield of our crop plants.
Scientific content
1. Choice of organisms (chassis): cyanobacteria, algae, higher plants, chloroplasts, non-oxygenic photosynthetic bacteria.
2. The parts: Promoters for regulated expression, transcript and protein stabilization and modifications, vectors, neutral integration, DNA synthesis.
3. Cloning and high-through put methodologies: cloning methods, gene stacking, gene replacements
4. Photobioreactors: types (closed, open ponds, etc), design of growth regimes (continous versus batch), harvesting methods and product recovery.
5. Downstream processing: product extraction, stabilization and quality control.
6. Ethics in synthetic biology.
7. Safety and regulations.
8. Intellectual property rights (IPR).
In this context photosynthetic organisms like cyanobacteria, algae and plants are interesting since these holds the promise for truly sustainable production of high-value compounds like pharmaceutical, commodity chemicals or even fuels. Traditionally, the organisms of choice for synthetic biology have been E. coli and yeast and the use of photosynthetic organisms is a new and rapidly developing field where University of Copenhagen has a lead. In the future, synthetic biology in plant science will not only have a great potential both for redirecting and engineering of new biosynthetic pathways but also for improving yield of our crop plants.
Scientific content
1. Choice of organisms (chassis): cyanobacteria, algae, higher plants, chloroplasts, non-oxygenic photosynthetic bacteria.
2. The parts: Promoters for regulated expression, transcript and protein stabilization and modifications, vectors, neutral integration, DNA synthesis.
3. Cloning and high-through put methodologies: cloning methods, gene stacking, gene replacements
4. Photobioreactors: types (closed, open ponds, etc), design of growth regimes (continous versus batch), harvesting methods and product recovery.
5. Downstream processing: product extraction, stabilization and quality control.
6. Ethics in synthetic biology.
7. Safety and regulations.
8. Intellectual property rights (IPR).
Learning Outcome
We expect that
participation in this course will enable PhD students:
1) to get an up-to-date understanding of current topics and methods within synthetic biology in photosynthetic organisms,
2) to get hands-on experimental experience in design and execution of light-driven assays and methodologies,
3) get an overview of organisms (chassis) to use and building an inventory of DNA parts for photosynthetic organisms,
4) to discuss their projects with experts in the field, and
5) to obtain a network within the field.
1) to get an up-to-date understanding of current topics and methods within synthetic biology in photosynthetic organisms,
2) to get hands-on experimental experience in design and execution of light-driven assays and methodologies,
3) get an overview of organisms (chassis) to use and building an inventory of DNA parts for photosynthetic organisms,
4) to discuss their projects with experts in the field, and
5) to obtain a network within the field.
Formal requirements
In preparation for
the course, students should prepare and bring a poster (A3 size)
about their work. The posters will be presented on the first day of
the course.
Teaching and learning methods
Lectures, exercises, student
presentations.
Workload
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 40
- Preparation
- 25
- Seminar
- 10
- Total
- 75
Sign up
Contact Poul Erik Jensen, Tel
+45 35333340,
peje@plen.ku.dk
Exam
- Credit
- 3 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Course participation under invigilation
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- NSCPHD1145
- Credit
- 3 ECTS
- Level
- Ph.D.
- Duration
- Placement
- Summer
- Schedule
- 11-15th of August 2014
- Price
- 1500 DKK. Lunch and coffee/tea is included.
- Study board
- Natural Sciences PhD Committee
Contracting department
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Course responsibles
- Poul Erik Jensen (peje@food.ku.dk)
Lecturers
Stephen Mayfield. San Diego Center for Algae Biotechnology and
University of California, San Diego, USA.
Andreas P.M. Weber. Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany.
From University of Copenhagen:
Poul Erik Jensen
Dario Leister
Yumiko Sakuragi
Hussam Nour-Eldin
Agnieszka Zygadlo Nielsen
Saved on the
04-02-2015