The course provides an overview of the research area Biocatalysis, with special emphasis on the application of enzymes for environmentally sustainable production of chemical products.

Relevant enzymes and their reaction mechanisms are discussed. Furthermore, central experimental techniques for the use of enzymes in organic solvents are discussed, as well as methods for optimizing stereochemical yields with industrial processes as examples.

Furthermore, the course provides knowledge about general and current techniques for design and modification of enzymes, for example directed evolution, for application in biocatalysis. The student carries out a project where a theoretical experiment is designed which includes, among other things, to select and justify choice of methods for experiment execution and analysis of results.

After completion of the course the student shall be able to

• demonstrate in-depth knowledge and analytical skills in the field of biocatalysis
• demonstrate good ability to explain and analyze complex concepts in biocatalysis based on relevant research literature, and in a pedagogical way communicate the knowledge in writing
• formulate and discuss in writing how biocatalysis can be applied in industry to create more environmentally sustainable biotechnological and chemical processes and, to reflect on sustainable societal development

The course contains a lecture series partly arranged jointly with the Masters' course BB2460 Biocatalysis. The lectures are mainly pre-recorded and the videos should be watched on your own. The course contains four scheduled lectures on Zoom, an additional three scheduled workshops on Zoom and three two-hour seminars on Zoom at the end of the course where the master students present their laboratory research projects. Apart from these scheduled activities, the course contains an individual theoretical research project/literature study presented in a report and two short assignments to submit. 

Courses in organic chemistry and/or biochemistry at the second cycle.

Watch the welcome video (2 minutes)

The compulsory course literature consist of a few scientific review articles selected for each of the lectures in the course. These articles can be found through links provided for each lecture in Canvas. No compulsory text book is used but there are several optional books:

• Kurt Faber. Biotransformations in Organic Chemistry:  A Textbook, 7th Edition. Springer-Verlag:  Heidelberg. 2018. e-ISBN 978-3-319-61590-5. Available as e-book through the KTH Library.
• Andreas Liese, Karsten Seelbach, Christian Wandrey (Eds.). Industrial Biotransformations. 2nd ed. Wiley-VCH. 2006. e-ISBN: 9783527608188. DOI: 10.1002/3527608184. Available as e-book through the KTH Library.
• Bommarius & Riebel, Biocatalysis - Fundamentals and Applications, Wiley-VCH 2004. e-ISBN: 9783527602360. Available as e-book through the KTH Library.
• Silverman, R. B. The Organic Chemistry of Enzyme-Catalyzed Reactions, Academic Press. 2002. ISBN 978-0-08-051336-2. Available as e-book through the KTH Library.
• Peter Grunwald, BIOCATALYSIS - Biochemical Fundamentals and Applications, Imperial College Press 2009. ISBN 978-1-86094-771-1 (used as course text book 2012)
• Adrie J. J. Straathof, Patrick Adlercreutz (Eds.) Applied biocatalysis. 2^nd Taylor & Francis 2000

Students at KTH with a permanent disability can get support during studies from Funka:

Funka - compensatory support for students with disabilities

P, F

• INL1 - Hand in assignment, 1.0 credits, Grading scale: P, F
• PRO1 - Project, 3.0 credits, Grading scale: P, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Hand in assignment ( INL1 )

This part is assessed through submitted exercises and active participation in the scheduled workshops and guest lectures. Active participation in 80% of the workshops and guest lectures is required.

Project ( PRO1 )

This part is assessed by a written individual project report and a peer review of a report.

For the final grade, an approved written project report is required. Furthermore, 80% active participation in scheduled lectures and a passing grade on associated in-depth assignments that take the form of a reflective and critically examining analysis of selected research work in the field of biocatalysis are required.

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

The number of scheduled workshops has been reduced to allow for more flexibility requested by the students.