Bioengineering

In this course students obtain knowledge in microbiology topics with a focus on the main microbial groups involved in bioenergy production from biomasses and in the biodegradation of environmental pollutants. Students are able to apply acquired knowledge in the management of plants for bioenergy production and for the bioremediation of contaminated habitats. The course is composed of two sections, each one having a theoretical part, performed via usual class teaching, and a practical part, performed via laboratory activity or visits to farms/factories. Part 1: Application of microorganisms in bioenergy and bioplastic production including biogas production, bioethanol production, biohydrogen production, and bioplastic production. This part of the course includes a visit to a biogas producing plant fed with waste products and biomasses. Part 2: Application of microorganisms for environmental remediation including soil, water and wastewater, and microbial indicators in water pollution and decontamination. Prerequisite for this course is a course in general microbiology and a course in biochemistry.

In the study of physiology and anatomy, the course explores how organs are built and how they work together. The building stones of the human body (bone, articular cartilage, ligaments, tendons, muscles, blood, and body fluids) are described and situated in the context of students' previous knowledge of mechanics and solid mechanics. Concepts like constitutive equations and evolution laws are applied to biological material, like bone, where effects from mechanical loading on the inner structure are modeled. The architecture of the skeleton and the apparatus of locomotion are described as a mechanical system where the bones are coupled together in joints and the activity in the muscles controls the movements.

The class gives an introduction to basic microarray technology focusing on the development, analysis, conceptual and theoretical basis of microarray technology. The course also covers the modern and emerging applications. Other topics include microarray analysis, introduction to the chemistry, basics of biochemistry, genes and genomes, microarray surfaces, targets and probes, microarray manufacturing, microarray detection, and microarray informatics. Text: Mark Schena, MICROARRAY ANALYSIS. Assessment: report and presentation, final exam, miderm exam, homework and participation.