Biotechnology for Fifth Year

### Biotechnology for Fifth Year

•   Course Content: Antibiotics Production and Gene Therapy
• Modules:
  • Theories to explain antibiotic production (Page 3)
  • Industrial production of antibiotics (Page 5)
  • Penicillin production requirements (Page 7)
  • Other examples (Page 12)
  • Gene therapy (Page 19)
  • Traits of gene therapy (Page 22)
  • Steroid biotransformation (Page 24)

### Single Cell Protein (SCP)

• Sources and Microorganisms: Whey, Molasses, Sulphite Liquor
• Microorganism Types: Yeast, Fungi, Bacteria
• Products: Supplements for cattle feed, ethanol, single-cell protein, Pruteen (Bacteria), Mycoprotein (Fungus)
• Substrates and Fermentation Types: Methanol, Glucose solution, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Minerals.
  • Continuous fermentation

### Biotechnology and Medicine

• Vitamins: Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
• Microorganism Types: Molds (Eremothecium ashbyii and Ashbya gossypii)
• Products and Uses: Dextran (plasma substitute, textiles, oil industry etc), Xanthan (textiles, oil industry, food), Citric acid (food and drinks, plastics), Lactic acid (food and drinks, plastics), Gluconic acid (leather, metal industry), Vitamin B12 (pharmaceutical and food)

### Theories to Explain Antibiotic Production

• Theory 1: Antibiotics are secondary metabolites produced when microbes lack nutrients, delaying enzyme production to quickly utilize new substrates
• Theory 2: Antibiotics eliminate toxic metabolic waste from the producing microorganism, which may be harmful to other organisms

Antibiotic Production

• Microorganism screening for antibiotic production (soil organisms)
• Testing for optimal production conditions (temperature, pH)
• Techniques like Chromatography to identify compounds
• Different microorganisms used for commercial production (Penicillium notatum, Penicillium chrysogenus, P.griseofulvum)
• Batch and fed-batch culture methods for antibiotic production

### Penicillin Production Requirements

• Microorganism: Penicillium chrysogenum or Penicillium notatum
• Inoculum preparation: High log phase, sufficient volume, high population density
• Fermenter: Closed, vertical, cylindrical, stainless steel vessel (25-250 m³ capacity)
• Oxygen supply: Filtered, sterilized air from a compressor
• Temperature control: Penicillin G very sensitive to low temperatures

### Gene Therapy

• Germ Cell Gene Therapy: Changes are directed at the individual's genetic makeup and can be passed on to offspring.
• Somatic Cell Gene Therapy: Introducing functioning genes into body cells, affecting only the recipient individual.
• Diseases Treated with Gene Therapy: Cystic fibrosis, Hemophilia
• Significant Factors Affecting Gene Therapy: Complexity, need for numerous biotechnological techniques, multi-disciplinary approach