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Prof. Nicholas Turner, Prof. Nigel Scrutton, and Dr. Nick Weise

Fossil fuels have been the primary energy source for society since the Industrial Revolution. They provide the raw material for the manufacture of many everyday products that we take for granted, including pharmaceuticals, food and drink, materials, plastics and personal care.

As the 21st century progresses we need solutions for the manufacture of chemicals that are smarter, more predictable and more sustainable.

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Fossil fuels have been the primary energy source for society since the Industrial Revolution. They provide the raw material for the manufacture of many everyday products that we take for granted, including pharmaceuticals, food and drink, materials, plastics and personal care.

As the 21st century progresses we need solutions for the manufacture of chemicals that are smarter, more predictable and more sustainable.

Industrial biotechnology is changing how we manufacture chemicals and materials, as well as providing us with a source of renewable energy. It is at the core of sustainable manufacturing processes and an attractive alternative to traditional manufacturing technologies to commercially advance and transform priority industrial sectors yielding more and more viable solutions for our environment in the form of new chemicals, new materials and bioenergy.

This course will cover the key enabling technologies that underpin biotechnology research including enzyme discovery and engineering, systems and synthetic biology and biochemical and process engineering. Much of this material will be delivered through lectures to ensure that you have a solid foundation in these key areas. We will also consider the wider issues involved in sustainable manufacturing including responsible research innovation and bioethics.

In the second part of the course we will look at how these technologies translate into real world applications which benefit society and impact our everyday lives. This will include input from our industry stakeholders and collaborators working in the pharmaceutical, chemicals and biofuels industries.

By the end of this course you will be able to:

1. Understand enzymatic function and catalysis.

2. Explain the technologies and methodologies underpinning systems and synthetic biology.

3. Explain the diversity of synthetic biology application and discuss the different ethical and regulatory/governance challenges involved in this research.

4. Understand the principles and role of bioprocessing and biochemical engineering in industrial biotechnology.

5. Have an informed discussion of the key enabling technologies underpinning research in industrial biotechnology

6. Give examples of industrial biotechnology products and processes and their application in healthcare, agriculture, fine chemicals, energy and the environment.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Enzymes, Enzyme Discovery and Engineering
Enzyme catalysts are central to life. They are the vehicles for delivering innovative bioscience solutions to chemicals manufacture, drug discovery, therapeutics and bioprocessing. They are the key enablers in the white biotechnology revolution, providing essential components in the new science of 'synthetic biology', offering new routes to biofuels, bulk and commodity chemicals and novel therapeutics.
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Methods in Systems and Synthetic Biology
Recent advances in our ability to read and write genome sequences on a large scale have led to an ambitious vision for a new generation of biotechnology, often referred to as Synthetic Biology. Synthetic Biology aims at turning biology into an engineering discipline, in which organism engineers use computational tools to design biological systems with novel valuable functionalities, which are then built using advanced high-throughput genetic engineering, and tested by rapid screening technologies that collect diagnostic molecular profiles to drive improved designs in an iterative design-build-test cycle. This module will introduce the engineering concepts that inform Synthetic Biology and the cutting-edge technologies that underlie our dramatically increasing ability to construct living systems with custom-made functionalities. All stages of the design-build-test cycle for novel biosystems will be discussed, with a special focus on their integration in a unified bioengineering platform. Examples will focus on the application of Synthetic Biology as an enabling technology for the bioindustry, especially for the improved microbial production of high-value chemicals and drugs. A section on responsible research and innovation will explore the transformative potential of this innovative technology within a broader socio-economic context, creating awareness of the ethical and political implications of research in this field.
Biochemical and Bioprocess Engineering
Biochemical and bioprocess engineering is concerned with the design of processes which involve biological transformations to manufacture a range of bio-based chemicals, biopharmaceuticals and biofuels. Through applying knowledge of process constraints, which are usually described mathematically, biochemical engineers are able to design a series of integrated process steps or “unit operations” which together make up a bioprocess. This module will give an appreciation of the key role biochemical engineering has in translating discoveries coming from life sciences and synthetic biology, such as improved microbial platforms for product expression, into economically viable full scale production processes. Key engineering concepts and the problem solving approach required for the design of bioprocesses will be taught by a group of biochemical engineers from The University of Manchester, University College London and Technical University of Denmark.
Pharmaceuticals and Fine Chemicals
This module looks at the production of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals using biocatalysis. Specifically, we will look at isolated biocatalytic transformations using isolated enzymes or whole cells as catalysts to manufacture commercially important products including pharmaceuticals, industrial monomers and personal care products. This module will be delivered by Dr Andy Wells of CHEM21, Europe’s largest public-private partnership dedicated to the development of manufacturing sustainable pharmaceuticals led by The University of Manchester and the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline. Dr Wells, alongside Dr Tom Dugmore of The University of York, will look at six industrial examples of biocatalytic reactions involving six different enzyme transformations. Each example will look at the product, manufacturing route, mechanism of the enzyme reaction and some of the sustainability drivers and metrics for adopting IB as part of the manufacturing route. Over the six examples, a number of key attributes of enzyme catalysed processes that need to be considered for successful scale-up will be examined. These include choice of free enzyme or whole cell catalyst, co-factors and co-factor recycling, multi-phase reactions, enzyme stability and throughput. Each example will have a number of references to the primary literature covering the product and enzyme type for further learning outside of the module.
Case Studies: Bioenergy and Biomaterials
Bioenergy is renewable energy extracted from biomass (organic biological material such as plants and animals, wood, waste, (hydrogen) gas, and alcohol fuels. Biomass is the fuel, bioenergy is the energy contained within that fuel. In this module we will look at biofuel production and the research and knowledge challenges associated with increasing the contribution of UK bioenergy to meet strategic environmental targets in a coherent, sustainable and cost-effective manner. In addition, we will be looking at biomaterials science and, in particular, the development of novel biomaterials and their application in a variety of industrial and medical products. Biomaterials can be derived either from nature or synthesized in the laboratory using a variety of chemical approaches utilizing metallic components, polymers, ceramics or composite materials. As a science it is around 50 years old so we will be considering the current trends and the future of biomaterials research and biomanufacturing technologies.
Case Studies: Glycoscience and Biotherapeutics
Glycoscience is the science and technology of carbohydrates, which are the most abundant biological molecules on Earth and make up part of the biology of all living organisms. This module will introduce the fundamental concepts of glycoscience, leading onto the benefits for society and how this drives and impacts the bioeconomy. A series of case studies will be used to present some of the key challenges and glycan-based solutions in pharmaceuticals and personalised medicine, food security and biomaterials. Biopharmaceuticals are new medicines that are made biologically. “Biologically” means that the production is too complex for simple chemistry and that we currently have to direct biological materials – cells, using the spectrum of natural catalytic reactions - to make these revolutionary medicines. We will be looking at the revolution in these development medicines within a clinical, societal and economic context and the approaches used to ensure production of safe and effective biopharmaceuticals, using various types of expression systems. Students will be introduced to detailed case studies that illustrate how the principles developed in other sub-modules are put into practice in the industrial context.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Examines enzymatic functions and catalysis, which are fundamental principles in biotechnology and the white biotechnology revolution
Introduces systems and synthetic biology, including methods, technologies, and applications, to advance the understanding of biological systems design and construction
Highlights the importance of biochemical and bioprocess engineering in translating discoveries from life sciences and synthetic biology into viable production processes
Provides insights into the production of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals using biocatalysis, showcasing industrial examples and sustainability considerations
Covers bioenergy and biomaterials, addressing key challenges and sustainable solutions for energy production and the development of novel materials
Examines glycoscience and biotherapeutics, highlighting the significance of carbohydrates and groundbreaking medicines, with case studies illustrating practical applications

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Reviews summary

Biotech careers in industry

learners say this course offers a solid overview of industrial biotechnology, with lecturers sharing engaging case studies and real-world examples. Students warn that the course's technical information may be difficult for beginners, but most topics are well-explained and clearly presented. Based on their reviews, Industrial Biotechnology has a strong industry focus and may be especially valuable for those looking to enter or advance their career in the field.
The course is taught by a team of experts from the University of Manchester, providing a variety of perspectives on industrial biotechnology.
"The course on Industrial Biotechnology was well structured."
"It was a wonderful experience learning this course which such great experienced professors."
"This course helped us with great understanding of the role that pharmaceuticals play in day to day life."
"This is an extremely interesting course and has widened my understanding of career & research options in biotechnology."
The course material is well-organized and easy to follow, with clear explanations and helpful examples.
"Excellent course, it covers main topics in biotechnology and every module is well prepared and dictated by professionals with a very high profile."
"It was really an informative and exciting journey."
"This is an excellent course."
"Great and well-planned course!"
The course also includes modules on production and manufacturing in industrial biotechnology, covering topics such as fermentation and downstream processing.
"A great course full of knowledge you should definitely refer to the material in this course for future orientation and career options"
"Enjoyed the practical application examples and supporting literature that helped me take a deeper dive into the demonstrated processes."
"I got more knowledge to upgrade my expertise in conducting my research and teaching of my class."
The course includes several modules on research and development in industrial biotechnology, covering topics such as synthetic biology and bioprocess engineering.
"Very good course on the introduction to industrial biotechnology."
"This course is an excellent example for the beginners."
"This 6 week cource is very interesting and is useful for young learners to get knowledge about the field ."
The course provides a comprehensive overview of the industrial applications of biotechnology, including pharmaceuticals, biofuels, and biomaterials.
"The course was so good, got the opportunity to learn more about Industrial Biotechnology from great tutors."
"This course gives you an overview of industrial biotechnology, it is very well illustrated with examples."
"All aspects of industrial biotechnology are very well explained by professors."
The course covers a wide range of career options in industrial biotechnology, including research and development, production, and management.
"This course given compherensive idea about various fields biotechnologist can perform."
"The course gave me better knowledge on how industrial biotechnology works and what are its different aspects."
While the course provides a good overview of industrial biotechnology, some students found the technical information to be too challenging for beginners.
"I think it is an excellent course, very extensive and that talks about an overview of biotechnology and bioprocesses."
"I believe this course helps me to understand so much about industrial biotechnology that will help me in my coming future"
"A very insightful and interesting course that helped me to discover new possibilities in the biotechnology sector"
"Brilliant display of knowledge from the lecturers, coherent illustrations and well time tests for facts learned."
"An amazing course for the students of genetic engineering, biotechnology, microbiology, etc."
Some students have reported issues with receiving a certificate of completion for the course.
"Not great delivery."
"poorly narrated PowerPoint presentations."
"very informative & technical course...course material can be limited..& i did not get certificate after completing the course"
"The course is an introduction of introduction."
"If the course is more interactive, it will one of the best course for bio-technologist."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Industrial Biotechnology with these activities:
Compile materials and notes
Reviewing the textbooks and course syllabus before starting the course helps you familiarize yourself with the course content and identify areas where you need to focus more attention.
Show steps
  • Gather lecture notes, assignments, and other course materials
  • Review the course syllabus and schedule
  • Identify topics that you may need additional support with
  • Create a study plan that outlines your study schedule and goals
Join study groups or discussion forums
Participating in peer-based learning activities allows you to engage with fellow students, share knowledge, and enhance your understanding.
Show steps
  • Identify online or in-person study groups or discussion forums related to industrial biotechnology
  • Join the group and actively participate in discussions
  • Share your perspectives, ask questions, and engage with other members
Explore online tutorials on synthetic biology
Seeking out guided tutorials can provide additional insights and perspectives on synthetic biology, enhancing your understanding of the subject matter.
Show steps
  • Identify online platforms or resources that offer high-quality tutorials on synthetic biology
  • Select tutorials that align with your interests and learning goals
  • Follow the tutorials, take notes, and engage in hands-on exercises
Two other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all five activities
Design and present a prototype for a biopharmaceutical product
Developing a prototype provides hands-on experience in applying the principles of biopharmaceutical design and showcasing your creativity and problem-solving abilities.
Show steps
  • Identify a specific biopharmaceutical product or application to focus on
  • Research and gather information on existing products and technologies
  • Design and develop a prototype, including its structure, function, and potential applications
  • Prepare a presentation to showcase your prototype and its potential impact
Contribute to open-source projects in industrial biotechnology
Engaging in open-source projects provides practical experience, deepens your understanding of real-world applications, and allows you to contribute to the field.
Show steps
  • Identify open-source projects in industrial biotechnology that align with your interests
  • Review the project documentation and contribute to discussions
  • Propose and implement improvements or new features to the project

Career center

Learners who complete Industrial Biotechnology will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Bioprocess Engineer
A Bioprocess Engineer designs equipment and processes for the production of pharmaceuticals and other products using biological organisms. This course provides a strong foundation in the key enabling technologies underpinning research in industrial biotechnology. With a particular focus on biochemical and bioprocess engineering, this course will teach you how to apply knowledge of process constraints to design integrated process steps for the manufacture of bio-based chemicals, biopharmaceuticals, and biofuels.
Biochemical Engineer
A Biochemical Engineer designs and operates processes for the production of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food, and other products using biological organisms. This course provides a strong foundation in the key enabling technologies underpinning research in industrial biotechnology. With a particular focus on biochemical and bioprocess engineering, this course will teach you how to apply knowledge of process constraints to design integrated process steps for the manufacture of bio-based chemicals, biopharmaceuticals, and biofuels.
Biomanufacturing Scientist
A Biomanufacturing Scientist develops and manufactures products using biological organisms. This course provides a strong foundation in the key enabling technologies underpinning research in industrial biotechnology. It will help you understand the principles and role of bioprocessing and biochemical engineering in industrial biotechnology and how these technologies translate into real-world applications that benefit society and impact our everyday lives.
Synthetic Biologist
A Synthetic Biologist designs and builds new biological systems with novel valuable functionalities. This course provides a strong foundation in the key enabling technologies underpinning research in industrial biotechnology, with a particular focus on systems and synthetic biology. It will help you understand the engineering concepts that inform Synthetic Biology and the cutting-edge technologies that underlie our dramatically increasing ability to construct living systems with custom-made functionalities.
Biomaterials Scientist
A Biomaterials Scientist develops and tests materials for use in medical devices and implants. This course provides a strong foundation in the key enabling technologies underpinning research in industrial biotechnology, with a particular focus on biomaterials science. It will help you understand the current trends and the future of biomaterials research and biomanufacturing technologies.
Industrial Biotechnologist
An Industrial Biotechnologist develops and manufactures products using industrial biotechnology techniques. This course provides a strong foundation in the key enabling technologies underpinning research in industrial biotechnology. It will help you understand the principles and role of bioprocessing and biochemical engineering in industrial biotechnology and how these technologies translate into real-world applications that benefit society and impact our everyday lives.
Biopharmaceutical Scientist
A Biopharmaceutical Scientist develops and manufactures biopharmaceuticals, which are new medicines that are made biologically. This course provides a strong foundation in the key enabling technologies underpinning research in industrial biotechnology, with a particular focus on biopharmaceuticals. It will help you understand the approaches used to ensure production of safe and effective biopharmaceuticals, using various types of expression systems.
Enzyme Engineer
An Enzyme Engineer designs and engineers enzymes for use in industrial processes. This course provides a strong foundation in the key enabling technologies underpinning research in industrial biotechnology, with a particular focus on enzyme discovery and engineering. It will help you understand how enzymes function and catalyze reactions, and how they can be engineered to improve their performance.
Bioenergy Scientist
A Bioenergy Scientist develops and tests renewable energy sources from biomass. This course provides a strong foundation in the key enabling technologies underpinning research in industrial biotechnology, with a particular focus on bioenergy. It will help you understand the research and knowledge challenges associated with increasing the contribution of UK bioenergy to meet strategic environmental targets in a coherent, sustainable, and cost-effective manner.
Bioinformatics Scientist
A Bioinformatics Scientist analyzes and interprets biological data to identify patterns and trends. This course may be useful to a Bioinformatics Scientist because it provides a strong foundation in the key enabling technologies underpinning research in industrial biotechnology. It will help you understand the principles and role of biochemical and bioprocess engineering in industrial biotechnology.
Glycoscientist
A Glycoscientist studies the structure and function of carbohydrates. This course may be useful to a Glycoscientist because it provides a strong foundation in the key enabling technologies underpinning research in industrial biotechnology, with a particular focus on glycoscience. It will help you understand the fundamental concepts of glycoscience and the benefits for society and how this drives and impacts the bioeconomy.
Environmental Scientist
An Environmental Scientist studies the environment and develops solutions to environmental problems. This course may be useful to an Environmental Scientist because it provides a strong foundation in the key enabling technologies underpinning research in industrial biotechnology and the wider issues involved in sustainable manufacturing, including responsible research innovation and bioethics.
Bioethicist
A Bioethicist studies the ethical implications of biotechnology. This course may help you develop a strong foundation in the key enabling technologies underpinning research in industrial biotechnology and the wider issues involved in sustainable manufacturing, including responsible research innovation and bioethics.
Science Policy Analyst
A Science Policy Analyst analyzes science policy and develops recommendations for policymakers. This course may be useful to a Science Policy Analyst because it provides a strong foundation in the key enabling technologies underpinning research in industrial biotechnology and the wider issues involved in sustainable manufacturing, including responsible research innovation and bioethics.
Science Writer
A Science Writer writes about science and technology for a general audience. This course may help you develop a strong foundation in the key enabling technologies underpinning research in industrial biotechnology.

Reading list

We've selected 11 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Industrial Biotechnology.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of synthetic biology. It covers topics such as the history of synthetic biology, the different approaches to engineering biological systems, and the applications of synthetic biology.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of biochemical engineering fundamentals, including mass and energy balances, reactor design, and process control. It valuable resource for students and researchers in the field.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of pharmaceutical biotechnology. It covers topics such as the history of pharmaceutical biotechnology, the different approaches to developing new drugs, and the applications of pharmaceutical biotechnology.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of bioprocess engineering. It covers topics such as the principles of bioprocess engineering, the modeling of bioprocesses, and the design of bioprocesses.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of glycoscience. It covers topics such as the different types of carbohydrates, the structure and function of carbohydrates, and the applications of carbohydrates in biology and medicine.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of biopharmaceuticals, covering the production of biopharmaceuticals, the development of new therapies, and the regulatory landscape. It valuable resource for students and researchers in the field.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of bioprocess engineering principles, covering the design of bioreactors, the scale-up of bioprocesses, and the control of bioprocesses. It valuable resource for students and researchers in the field.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of biofuels, covering the production of biofuels, the sustainability of biofuels, and the environmental impacts of biofuels. It valuable resource for students and researchers in the field.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of biopharmaceutical engineering, covering the production of biopharmaceuticals, the development of new therapies, and the regulatory landscape. It valuable resource for students and researchers in the field.

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