It is said that interaction between human and microorganisms started around BC5000. At that time, the presence of microorganisms was not recognized, however, fermented foods were empirically produced. Microorganisms were discovered in the 17th century and the role of microorganisms in fermentation was clarified during the 19th century, and following this, various beneficial materials started to be produced. After that, the techniques for animal cell and plant cell cultivation were developed, and together with the rapid progress in the molecular biology, techniques where biological functions could be applied became widespread in the fields of materials production, agriculture, environment and medical care. Students will learn the basics of bioengineering- from cultivation of the organisms to the control and application of their function.
Students will learn the basics of the bioengineering from cultivation of the organisms to the control and application of their function. Firstly, students will understand the characteristics of microbial growth and learn quantitative expression of the pure culture of microorganisms. The cultivation of animal and plant cells has many similar techniques to the cultivation of microorganisms, and this course will clarify the characteristics of cultivating each type of cell. Subsequently, students will understand the methods for the control of the biological function, including genetic manipulation techniques and practical examples of industrial applications of biological functions. Concerning environmental applications, students will acquire the ability to quantitatively express the role of the microbial community, where various microorganisms coexist with complicated interactions in their role in material recycling and conservation of ecosystems.
Microorganisms, Enzymes, Kinetics, Metabolism, Bioreactors, Genetic enginerring, Ecological modeling
✔ Specialist skills | Intercultural skills | Communication skills | Critical thinking skills | ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
In the introduction to each class, a summary of the previous lecture is given. After that, the main points of the lecture on that day are discussed in detail. Students are asked to provide solutions to some of the questions that have been posed as necessary. Always check the required learning for each class and be sure to complete them as part of preparation and review.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Cultivation of microorganisms | Understand the variety of microorganisms |
Class 2 | Metabolisms of microorganisms | Understand the overview of the metabolisms of microorganisms |
Class 3 | Microbial growth and conditions | Understand microbial growth and cultivation conditions |
Class 4 | Enzyme kinetics | Acquire the skill for numerical expression of enzyme kinetics |
Class 5 | Microbial kinetics | Acquire the skill for numerical expression of microbial growth rate |
Class 6 | Cultivation methods for microorganisms | Explain the types of bioreactor and cultivation methods for microorganisms |
Class 7 | Immobilized biocatalyst | Understand characteristics of the immobilized biocatalyst |
Class 8 | Cultivation techniques for animal and plant cells | Understand cultivation technology for animal and plant cells |
Class 9 | Genetic engineering techniques | Understand an overview of genetic manipulation technology |
Class 10 | Gene transfer techniques and industrial applications | Explain the industrial application of genetic manipulation technology |
Class 11 | Widely spread biological techniques | Understand biotechnology widely used in our life |
Class 12 | Biorefinary and smart materials | Understand smart materials produced by biorefinery and biotechnology |
Class 13 | Basics of the ecology and material cycle | Understand the basics of ecology and material recycling |
Class 14 | From environmental applications and medical supplies to regenerative medicine | Explain the wide range of applications from environmental biotechnology to medical care |
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Text book specified by the instructor.
Handouts will be distributed at the beginning of class when necessary and elaborated on using PowerPoint slides. PowerPoint documents that are to be used in class will be made available in advance via the T2SCHOLA. Students are expected to use these documents for preparation and review purposes.
Learning achievement is evaluated by combining results from exercise problems and reports.
None required.
Yoshihisa Matsumoto (matsumoto.y.ac[at]m.titech.ac.jp)
Takashi Nakamura (nakamura.t.av[at]m.titech.ac.jp)