BIE 4100 - Synthetic Biology and Metabolic Engineering

3 lecture hours 0 lab hours 3 credits

Course Description
The course presents an overview of the latest advances in synthetic biology and metabolic engineering to modulate intracellular pathways using recombinant DNA and other manipulation techniques for engineering, biotechnological, medical, environmental, energy, and other applications. Specific application areas for discussion, using both synthetic biology and metabolic engineering technologies, include improved cellular performance for production of biopharmaceuticals, detection and/or degradation of toxins, generation of novel drugs and cell therapies, and energy generation from microbial sources. Existing research problems in biomolecular engineering are used to illustrate principles in the design of metabolic pathways, biomolecules, genetic circuits, and complex biological systems. Design and fabrication of new biological components and systems or the re-design and fabrication of existing biological systems are discussed. (prereq: BIE 3100) (quarter system prereq: EB 3530)

Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
Design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability
Identify, formulate, and solve synthetic biology and metabolic engineering problems
Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary issues
Argue the ethical dilemma of synthetic biology and metabolic engineering and offer alternatives
Identify a metabolic problem, propose solutions, and analyze possible problems
Define basic aspects of parts, devices, and systems analysis to a synthetic biology design
Identify a problem and propose possible synthetic biology responses to the identified problem, including detailing the needed design, parts, and testing
Identify ethical considerations related to synthetic biology, including both possible positive and negative aspects of the field
Identify how metabolic engineering and synthetic biology have influenced the areas of production of pharmaceuticals, generation of novel drugs, and energy generation

Prerequisites by Topic

None

Course Topics

Synthetic biology: overview/foundations and engineering principles, BioBricks, designed genetic circuit examples, sensors, output, regulation, oscillations
Metabolic engineering: foundations, growth nutrients, material/mass balance, regulation, network rigidity
Applications: clinical, biofuels, pharmaceutical, food, environmental, and biotechnology
Theoretical design and proposal of a new sensor and output device
Ethical considerations of metabolic engineering and/or synthetic biology research and development

Coordinator
Dr. Eryn Hassemer

Announcement

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BIE 4100 - Synthetic Biology and Metabolic Engineering