Biocatalysis is an interdisciplinary subject that sits at the cutting edges of chemistry, biology, and the sustainable production of industrially important chemicals. Further applications of isolated enzymes in biocatalysis will be discussed and build on examples presented in CHT214. 

In addition, the use of naturally occurring or engineered microorganisms (whole cell biocatalysts) to obtain a variety of useful compounds will be outlined. 

The first part of the course will then discuss the use of metabolically transformed microorganisms for the production of small molecules (e.g. citric acid and other amino acids) and antibiotics (e.g. penicillin and erythromycin). 

The principles of re-engineering the metabolic pathways present in microorganisms will be presented together with their use in optimizing the yields of target compounds. 

Students will be shown how microorganisms can be used in environmental bioremediation and the conversion of biomass into high fructose corn syrup and biofuels. Problems with existing methods will be discussed and strategies for their solution will be presented.

Finally, this module will advance on the material taught in CHT214 (Biocatalysis I), providing students with more examples of the molecular basis for biocatalytic applications of enzymes, with an emphasis on methods for evaluating and controlling the stereochemical outcome of these transformations.

There will also be a limited discussion of how product inhibition, co-factor chemistries and the biophysical properties of enzymes influence reactor design and the feasibility of a reaction on an industrial scale. 

• Have a comprehensive knowledge of the principal types of organic transformations that can be catalysed by enzymes and/or whole-cell systems on the industrial scale.  

• Propose appropriate asymmetric routes to novel/unseen small molecule targets employing biocatalysis and critique and propose alternatives to existing routes.  

• Employ a comprehensive understanding of basic enzyme kinetics to the design of industrial processes faced with problems such as product inhibition.  

• Evaluate methodologies and provide solutions for unseen problems in biocatalysis where novel, modern engineering of enzymes may be required.  

A blend of online learning activities with face-to-face learning support and feedback.

The module will be delivered by 12 x 1-hour lectures and 2 x 1-hour tutorials supported by 2 x formative workshops. Some aspects may be delivered by pre-prepared video for supplementary support.

The two module tutors will deliver half the material each with the final exam featuring two questions from each tutor. Hence the formative workshop from each tutor will be aimed at supporting learning for their examination questions. 

Academic Skills: 

• Students will gain experience in project planning and problem-solving in the field of biocatalysis using both whole cells and isolated and purified enzymes. 

Chemistry-Specific Skills: 

• You will gain experience in the evaluation of biocatalysis performance and limitations with regard to a range of asymmetric synthetic transformations and kinetic resolutions, introducing further biocatalytic methodologies, building on the material delivered in CHT214. 

• You will develop the skills required to create solutions to unseen problems in biocatalysis for the synthesis of organic chemicals and propose strategies of the preparation and purification of biocatalysts. 

• You will develop the knowledge and understanding necessary to explain the catalytic mechanism of a variety of biocatalysts and how their structures form and contribute to their activity. 

Employability skills:    

This module is delivered and aligns with the following University Graduate Attributes:    

• Contribute to discussions, negotiate, and present with impact.  

• Consider own personal and professional ethical, social, and environmental responsibilities.  

• Demonstrate personal and professional integrity, reliability, and competence.  

• Be mindful of the Climate Emergency and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals  

• Identify, define, and analyse complex issues and ideas, exercising critical judgment in evaluating sources of information.  

• Demonstrate intellectual curiosity and engage in the pursuit of new knowledge and understanding. 

• Investigate problems and offer effective solutions, reflecting on and learning from successes and failures.  

• Generate original ideas and apply creative, imaginative, and innovative thinking in response to identified needs and problems.  

• Actively reflect on own studies achievements and self-identity  

• Demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and creativity in dealing with challenges, and be open to change.  

• Identify and articulate own skills, knowledge and understanding confidently and in a variety of contexts.  

• Engage with new ideas, opportunities, and technologies, building knowledge and experience to make informed decisions about own future. 

Graduate Attributes – Assessment:    

 Coursework                     30% 

• Contribute to discussions, negotiate, and present with impact.  

• Consider own personal and professional ethical, social, and environmental responsibilities.  

• Demonstrate personal and professional integrity, reliability, and competence.  

• Be mindful of the Climate Emergency and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals  

• Identify, define, and analyse complex issues and ideas, exercising critical judgment in evaluating sources of information.  

• Demonstrate intellectual curiosity and engage in the pursuit of new knowledge and understanding. 

• Investigate problems and offer effective solutions, reflecting on and learning from successes and failures.  

• Generate original ideas and apply creative, imaginative, and innovative thinking in response to identified needs and problems.  

• Actively reflect on own studies achievements and self-identity  

• Demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and creativity in dealing with challenges, and be open to change.  

• Identify and articulate own skills, knowledge and understanding confidently and in a variety of contexts.  

• Engage with new ideas, opportunities, and technologies, building knowledge and experience to make informed decisions about own future. 

 Exam                               70% 

• Contribute to discussions, negotiate, and present with impact.  

• Consider own personal and professional ethical, social, and environmental responsibilities.  

• Demonstrate personal and professional integrity, reliability, and competence.  

• Be mindful of the Climate Emergency and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals  

• Identify, define, and analyse complex issues and ideas, exercising critical judgment in evaluating sources of information.  

• Demonstrate intellectual curiosity and engage in the pursuit of new knowledge and understanding. 

• Investigate problems and offer effective solutions, reflecting on and learning from successes and failures.  

• Generate original ideas and apply creative, imaginative, and innovative thinking in response to identified needs and problems.  

• Actively reflect on own studies achievements and self-identity  

• Demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and creativity in dealing with challenges, and be open to change.  

• Identify and articulate own skills, knowledge and understanding confidently and in a variety of contexts.  

• Engage with new ideas, opportunities, and technologies, building knowledge and experience to make informed decisions about own future. 

 Resit Exam                      100% 

• Contribute to discussions, negotiate, and present with impact.  

• Consider own personal and professional ethical, social, and environmental responsibilities.  

• Demonstrate personal and professional integrity, reliability, and competence.  

• Be mindful of the Climate Emergency and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals  

• Identify, define, and analyse complex issues and ideas, exercising critical judgment in evaluating sources of information.  

• Demonstrate intellectual curiosity and engage in the pursuit of new knowledge and understanding. 

• Investigate problems and offer effective solutions, reflecting on and learning from successes and failures.  

• Generate original ideas and apply creative, imaginative, and innovative thinking in response to identified needs and problems.  

• Actively reflect on own studies achievements and self-identity  

• Demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and creativity in dealing with challenges, and be open to change.  

• Identify and articulate own skills, knowledge and understanding confidently and in a variety of contexts.  

• Engage with new ideas, opportunities, and technologies, building knowledge and experience to make informed decisions about own future. 

Sustainable Development Goals:     

This module is delivered and aligns in working towards the following Sustainable Development Goals:   

Goal 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

Goal 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Goal 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all

Goal 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Goal 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development 

A written exam (70%) will test the student’s knowledge and understanding as elaborated under the learning outcomes. An assessed workshop (30%) through a submitted coursework assignment will allow the student to demonstrate their ability to solve problems, and to judge and critically review relevant information from the primary scientific literature and provide practice for the examination. A prior formative coursework problem sheet will give students practice in this assessment after each half of the delivered lecture material. 

Any academic or competence standards which may limit the availability of adjustments or alternative assessments for disabled students should be clearly stated in line with guidance provided in the Reasonable Adjustment Policy and Procedure  

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE: 

Opportunities for re-assessment is only permitted provided you have not failed more credit than in the resit rule adopted by your programme. If the amount of credit you have failed is more than permitted by the relevant resit rule, you may be permitted to repeat study if you are within the threshold set for the Repeat rule adopted by your programme. You will be notified of your eligibility to resit/repeat any modules after the Examining Board in the Summer period.

All resit assessments will be held in the Resit Examination period, prior to the start of the following academic session. 

All content is mandatory: 

a) Biocatalysis versus chemical catalysis  

Understanding when to use a biocatalyst for a chemical problem.  Advantages/disadvantages of biocatalysts compared to traditional chemical reactions and heterogeneous/homogeneous catalysis.  Mild reaction conditions, excellent stereo-, chemo- and regio- selectivity versus substrate specificity, product inhibition, lack of catalyst robustness, cofactor recycling.  

(b) Isolated enzyme systems and whole cell systems.  Free and immobilized enzymes for biocatalysis.  Water versus organic solvent.  

(c) Enzyme structure – primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structure. The amino acids, important side chains for reactivity.  Active site, lock and key and induced fit models. 

(d) Enzyme kinetics.  The Michaelis-Menten equation.  Product inhibition, cofactor requirements and how they relate to reactor design.  

(e) Cofactors – especially NADH in oxidoreductase enzymes.  Recycling of NADH.  

(f) Kinetic resolution and dynamic kinetic resolution.  

(g) Directed evolution for the development of bespoke biocatalysis.  

(h) Enzyme applications.  

• Hydrolase enzymes – lipases, esterases, proteases etc. with specific examples and mechanism.  

• Lyases – e.g. Aspartase, tyrosine-phenol lyase  

• Isomerases – e.g. glucose isomerase  

• Transferases – e.g. aminotransferases, PLP as cofactor  

• Ligases  

• Oxidoreductases – dehydrogenases, oxidases, oxygenases, peroxidases