Algae Biotechnology

Code

Course teacher

Associate teachers

Status of the course

Course objectives

- introduction in the basics of systematics, biology and ecology of marine algae
- introduction in significance and ways of using algae in biotechnology research and the biotech industry
- presentation of possibilities of exploitation and production of algae significant in biotechnology

Course enrolment requirements and entry competences required for the course

Basics of biology and/or cell biology

Learning outcomes expected at the level of the course (4 to 10 learning outcomes)

Upon successful completion of this course, students should:
- know the basics of systematics, biology and ecology of marine algae
- have knowledge in biology and biotechnological uses of the most important algae genera
- know ways of usage of algae in biotech research and the biotech industry including uses as a green fertilizer, green insecticides, as food for humans and animals, for breeding and use of live food in aquaculture, medicine, specialized chemicals, bioremediation and biofuels
- know the technology of growing algae for a variety of commercial applications
- know the possibilities for exploitation and production of biotechnological significant algae

Course content broken down in detail by weekly class schedule (syllabus)

Week 1: Introduction. Systematics. Anatomy.
Week 2: Reproduction. Photosynthesis.
Week 3: Systematic division: Cyanobacteria or Cyanophyta
Week 4: Systematic division: Cyanobacteria or Cyanophyta
Week 5: Systematic division: Rhodophyta
Week 6: Systematic division: Ochrophyta
Week 7: Systematic division: Chlorophyta
Week 8: Ecology.
Week 9: Biogeochemical role of algae. The importance of algae
I knowledge test
Week 10: The industrial use of micro and macro algae: green fertilizers, green insecticides, food for humans and animals,
Week 11: The industrial use of micro and macro algae: cultivation and use of live food in aquaculture, pharmaceuticals, specialized chemicals, bioremediation, biofuels
Week 12: Technology of cultivation. Growing main genera of cultivating algae. Types of culture.
Week 13: Breeding parameters. Farming methods. Determination of the density and growth of algae.
14th week: Optimization of production systems. Open systems of cultivation.
15th week: A closed photo-bioreactors. Genetic modification.
II knowledge test
Exercises:
Getting acquainted with the work, sampling and processing in a laboratory; Collection of phytobenthic material and its identification by available literature and by microscope; Microscopy of different systematic divisions of Cyanobacteria, Rodophyta, Ochrophyta and Chlorophyta and learning about the habitus morphology, basics of anatomy and reproducting structures; Drying and chemical analysis of algae; Isolation, purification and identification of bioactive compounds from algae.

Format of instruction:

Student responsibilities

Active participation in all activities: lectures, consultations, searching the literature and exercises at least 85%.

Optional literature (at the time of submission of study programme proposal)

R. E. Lee: Phycology. Cambridge University Press, Fourth edition, Cambridge. 2008.
C. Van den Hoek, D. G. Mann, H. M. Jahns: Algae. An Introduction to Phycology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1995.

Quality assurance methods that ensure the acquisition of exit competences

Quality assurance will be performed at three levels:
(1) University Level;
(2) Faculty Level by Quality Control Committee;
(3) Lecturer’s Level.

Other (as the proposer wishes to add)