Course: Introduction to Industrial Biotechnology credits: 5

In the transition to a sustainable society, many industrial processes are switching from fossil-based to biobased raw materials. This also increasingly offers the possibility of using microorganisms as catalysts in these (bio)conversions. This module introduces the concept of industrial biotechnology, which is also called white biotechnology. In industrial biotechnology, chemicals and materials are made with the help of microorganisms, or with enzymes produced by those microorganisms. An example is the production of bioplastics from biomass, but it also includes the enzymatic bioconversion of, for example, starch into biodegradable films, capsules or coatings. Aspects that (may) be covered in this elective module are: basic knowledge of industrial biotechnology; biotechnological processes; microorganisms and enzymes; bioreactors and equipment; downstream processing; ethical, environmental and safety aspects; innovations and trends in industrial biotechnology. 

 

The industrial biotechnology module consists of the following 3 parts: 

Introductory lectures (guest lectures) on the breadth of industrial biotechnology, linking to various regional biotech companies. 

Company field trips to regional biotech companies. 

Practicum in which specific fermentations are carried out or biochemical conversion with enzymes is studied. 

 

The knowledge acquired during the lectures and the field trip is incorporated into an oral presentation.  

 

The maximum number of students participating in this module is 24. For the company excursions, students are divided into groups of 4 persons. Students can register for a maximum of 2 company excursions. The companies considered are: 

Sugar Union 

Water purification Garmerwolde 

Avebe 

Kikkoman 

Bax beer / Martinus  

IQ Products 

During the practical, the results are logged in Elabjournal. These results form the basis for a lab report on specific fermentations and enzymatic conversions.