Logo

Microbian Biotechnology

Code: 42900
Credits: 9
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Advanced Biotechnology OB 1

Contact lecturer

Name :
Antonio Villaverde Corrales
Email :
antonio.villaverde@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Maria Pilar Cortes Garmendia
Antonio Villaverde Corrales
Pau Ferrer Alegre
Neus Ferrer Miralles
Escarlata Rodriguez Carmona
Esther Vazquez Gomez
Eloi Parlade Molist
Anna Aris Giralt
José Luis Corchero Nieto
Elena Garcia Fruitós

Teaching staff (external to UAB)

Carla Prat
Marí Aldea Malo
Luis Ruiz
Antonio Rodríguez Fernández de Henestrosa
Patricia Ayma
Manuel Rodríguez
Pau Vila
Lucas Martín
Luis Enrique Brenes
Jordi Feliu
Antonio Barreiro Vázquez
Remedios Mancebo
Rubén León

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

It is expected to have a good conceptual background in microbial metabolism and physiology, molecular microbiology, microbial cell culture techniques, genetic manipulation of microorganisms and protein engineering.

Objectives


The objective of this module is to provide students with an overview of microorganisms of industrial interest, microbial diversity and their potential on an industrial scale in production / transformation processes.

There will also be several microbial products of industrial and biomedical interest, especially proteins, and how microbial cell factories can be used for the production and adaptation of the same for biotechnological and biomedical applications.

Learning outcomes

  • CA03 (Design microorganism-based tools and strategies to optimize industrial processes.) Design microorganism-based tools and strategies to optimize industrial processes.
  • CA04 (Evaluate research results to develop new products or industrial processes for transfer to society.) Evaluate research results to develop new products or industrial processes for transfer to society.
  • CA05 (Act in the industrial field with ethical responsibility and with respect for fundamental rights and duties, diversity and democratic values, in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals.) Act in the industrial field with ethical responsibility and with respect for fundamental rights and duties, diversity and democratic values, in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals.
  • KA02 (Recognise experimental procedures in the field of industrial microbiology.) Recognise experimental procedures in the field of industrial microbiology.
  • KA03 (Recognize microorganisms of industrial interest.) Recognize microorganisms of industrial interest.
  • SA04 (Apply microbial diversity as a source of new microorganisms and microbial products of industrial interest.) Apply microbial diversity as a source of new microorganisms and microbial products of industrial interest.
  • SA05 (Apply current tools and systems used in industrial microbiology and at the interface between industrial microbiology and biotechnology.) Apply current tools and systems used in industrial microbiology and at the interface between industrial microbiology and biotechnology.

Contents

-R+D+I to obtain products or microorganisms of industrial interest.


-The Cell Factory concept: microbial production of metabolites, enzymes and recombinant drugs.


-Experimental design in microbial biotechnology.


-Production and engineering of protein drugs and materials of clinical interest. 


-Microbiology in different industrial sectors (health, pharmaceutical, agri-food, cosmetics).


-Value and technological transfer of microbial products.


 

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Personal study 135 5.4 CA04, CA05, KA02, KA03, SA05
Preparation of an oral presentation 41.75 1.67 CA03, CA04, KA02, SA04
Lectures 46 1.84 CA03, KA02, KA03, SA04

This module consists of expository masterclasses taught by researchers in fields related to Microbiology and Biotechnology, by professionals in these specialties from related industries, and by experts in valorization and industrial transfer. Attendance at 60% of master classes will be required.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Evaluation of group assignments: oral presentations 25 0.25 0.01 CA04, CA05, KA03, SA04
Individual evaluation: multiple choice test (Partial 1) 35 1 0.04 CA03, CA04, KA03, SA04, SA05
Individual evaluation: multiple choice test (Partial 2) 40 1 0.04 CA03, CA04, KA02, SA04

The module will be assessed through two individual, multiple-choice written tests and the submission of a group project, which will be evaluated through an oral presentation.

To pass the course, a weighted average grade of 5 or higher is required, along with a grade of 4 or higher on each individual written test. If the module is not passed, the individual assessments may be retaken.

To participate in the recovery, students must have been previously evaluated in a set of activities whose weight is equivalent to a minimum of two thirds of the total grade for the subject or module. Therefore, the student body will obtain the qualification of \"Not Evaluable\" when the evaluation activities carried out have a weighting of less than 67% in the final qualification.

In the event that the student wishes to improve the qualification of the individual evaluation, they will be able to opt for a grade improvement test that will be carried out the same day as the recovery test, giving up the grade obtained previously in this section. Students who want to take this test must contact the module teachers in writing at least 72 hours before the scheduled day to take the test. It is necessary to get a minimum of 5 to pass it.

To pass the module it is mandatory to attend at least 60% of the theoretical classes.

Single assessment: a single individual written test with multiple-choice questions in which the contents of the entire theory program of the subject will be assessed. The grade obtained in this synthesis test will account for 75% of the final grade for the subject.

The evaluation of the work presentation through oral presentation will follow the same process as the continuous evaluation. The grade obtained will account for 25% of the final grade for the subject.

The same recovery system will be applied as for the continuous evaluation.


"The commission of any irregularity in an assessment act (academic fraud, plagiarism, or improper use of AI, unless such use is expressly authorized in the teaching guide), which may lead to a significant variation in the grade, means that this act will be graded with a 0. If the teaching guide provides that, in order to pass the subject, it is an essential requirement to have obtained a minimum grade in this assessment act, or that several irregularities occur in the assessment acts of the same subject, the final grade for this subject is 0. Apart from this, a disciplinary process may be initiated against the student who incurs any of these irregularities."


Bibliography

The necessary basic and specific bibliography will be published on the moodle course. The databases will be indicated to obtain the necessary material for the individual works.

Software

No specific software is foreseen.

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE