Teaching code

4S010570

Credits

6

Coordinator

Matteo Ballottari

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

BIO/04 - PLANT PHYSIOLOGY

Courses Single

Authorized with reserve

Moodle Seminars 0

The teaching is organized as follows:

Learning objectives

The main objective of the course is to provide students with adequate knowledge of biotechnologies applied to the production of biomass and bioproducts of industrial interest through the cultivation of heterotrophic and autotrophic organisms. In the first part of the course, photosynthetic organisms will be described from an evolutionary point of view, from anoxygenic bacteria to higher plants, focusing on the molecular aspects underlying the different strategies adopted for CO2 assimilation and biomolecules production. In particular, the importance of photosynthetic organisms in green chemistry will be described and how they can be included in numerous production processes. Subsequently, the main mechanisms and nutritional requirements underlying the production of biomass and biomolecules by heterotrophic organisms will be described, focusing on unicellular organisms and cell cultures of industrial interest. Students will therefore acquire skills related to biotechnological solutions for the exploitation of photosynthetic and heterotrophic organisms for the production of biomass and bioproducts with high added value providing examples for their possible use in the agro-industrial sector, in the production of novel food, nutraceuticals and cosmetics. During the laboratory activities, students will be involved in experiments related to the preparation and cultivation of autotrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms in model bioreactors for the production and analysis of metabolites of interest. 

Prerequisites and basic notions

general biology

Program

- Introduction to the course: biomass and bioproducts, mass and energy balances
- Distinctive features of autotrophic vs. heterotrophic cells
- Notes on secondary metabolism for the production of high value-added compounds
- Maximum photosynthetic efficiency and potential of photosynthetic organisms for the production of compounds of interest
- Evolution of photosynthetic organisms from anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria to cyanobacteria
- Physiological, biochemical and metabolic characteristics of cyanobacteria
- Evolution of photosynthetic organisms: primary and secondary endosymbiosis and appearance of photosynthetic eukaryotic cells. Description of the main types of microalgae and macroalgae
- Physiological, biochemical and metabolic characteristics of eukaryotic microalgae
- Physiological, biochemical and metabolic characteristics of eukaryotic macroalgae -
- Evolution of photosynthetic organisms: colonization of emerged lands and development of lower and higher plants
- Cultivation of microalgae and Current limitations in biomass production through CO2 fixation by microalgae and cyanobacteria and possible solutions
- Use of higher plants for phytoremediation and cultivation of macroalgae
- Use of algae and higher plants for molecular farming
- Use of photosynthetic protein complexes in extracellular environment for the exploitation of solar energy
- Heterotrophic organisms: physiology and production potential of cell cultures - Bacteria, yeasts, cell cultures: applications and biotechnological potential
- Accumulation of reserve substances in cells
- Use of unicellular and multicellular organisms for the production of biomass for food, nutraceutical and cosmetic purposes
- Use of unicellular and multicellular organisms for the production of renewable energy

Didactic methods

frontal lessons

Learning assessment procedures

The purpose of the exam is to verify the level of achievement of the previously indicated learning objectives. The exam consists of a written test with some open questions and some closed questions taken from the teaching material provided. Examples of written exams are presented during the lessons. Immediately after the written test, it is possible to arrange an oral interview with the teacher (optional).

Evaluation criteria

Knowledge of the topics covered in class, critical reasoning skills, use of the information provided to develop possible biotechnological processes

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The final grade will be determined by the written exam. The laboratory activities are functional to the student's preparation for the written exam. The oral exam, optional, allows the student to improve the grade of the written exam

Exam language

italiano (inglese a richiesta)