Course Information:

Instructor: Professor N. Kalogerakis

Recommended Reading:

• Lecture Notes (TUC – eclass).
• «Biofilms in Medicine, Industry and Environmental Biotechnology: Characteristics, analysis and control», Eds. P. Lens et al., IWA Publishing (2003).
• «Bioprocess Engineering – Basic Concepts», M.L. Shuler & F. Kargi, Prentice Hall (1992).
• «Biochemical Engineering», H.W. Blanch & D.S. Clark, Marcel-Dekker (1996).

Eclass:

• Registration required

Course objectives:

Introduce the basic concepts of biochemical engineering and bioreactor design. Focus on specific biofilms through individual projects.

Course contents:

1. Fundamentals of biochemical engineering
   • Kinetics of free and immobilized enzymes
   • Microbial growth and product formation rates
   • Classical bioreactor design
   • Specialized bioreactor designs
2. Modelling of biochemical systems with MATLAB
   • Dynamic behaviour of bioreactors
   • Microbial dymanics in open and closed systems
   • Experimental data analysis and parameter estimation
3. Formation of biofilms:
   • Genetics of biofilms.
   • Cell signaling in biofilm development (quorum sensing).
4. Biofilm matrix and properties of Extracellular Polymeric Substances.
5. Biofilm Characteristics.
   • Biofilms on corroding systems.
   • Biofilms in Wastewater treatment systems.
   • Biofilms and bioaerosols
6.      Analysis of biofilms:
   •     Electron microscopy applied to biofilms.
   •     Use of molecular probes to study biofilms.
   •     Use of microsensors to study biofilms.
7. Mathematical modeling of biofilm development and morphology.
8. Biofilm monitoring, disinfection & control
9. Industrial biofilms – microbial fouling)

Presentation of applications and solutions of numerical examples throughout the course.

Assessment method:

• Individual Project
• Presentation                                                                                               (40%)
  • Project presentation (25%)
  • Oral examination (15%)
• Final report                                                                                                 (40%)
• Two (2) written assignments                                                                       (20%)

        Total                                                                                                              (100%)

Last modification: 07-10-2020