BB2425 Glycobiotechnology 7.5 credits

The course provides the student with knowledge spanning from the fundamental theory in glycobiology to the method and technology developments for applications in bioenergy and biomaterials, biopharmaceuticals and vaccines, and healthy food. The course contains both theoretical and practical parts.

Theoretical lectures:

• Chemistry of carbohydrates, hierarchical levels of structure of sugars and glycans and their roles in complex biological systems
• Enzymes for glycan biosynthesis and nucleotide sugar enzymology
• Classification, database and mechanism of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) for glycan degradation and modification
• Biosynthesis and biological functions of glycoconjugates in glycoproteins and glycolipids (glycosylation pathways and glyco-engineering in various organisms including plant, animal, and microbial systems)
• Applications of glycobiotechnology in food and nutrition, energy and fuels, materials, and pharmaceuticals.

Practical labs:

• Computer lab – CAZymes 3D structure/function relationship (LAB1)
• Wet lab – Demonstrate how glycoside hydrolase enzymes with different modes of action act synergistically to deconstruct a polysaccharide (LAB1)

On completion of the course, the students should be able to:

• Describe the structure of carbohydrates (mono-, oligo-, and polysaccharide) at molecular level and explain the structure–property relationship of carbohydrates at different hierarchical levels
• Describe the molecular mechanisms of key enzymes involved in the biosynthesis, modification, and degradation of carbohydrates across diverse kingdoms and compare the structure of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes)and carbohydrate binding protein in terms of their biological functions
• Using computer software tools to demonstrate the structural differences in different functional CAZymes and explain the structure/function relationship
• Design, plan and perform experiments on deconstruction and modification of polysaccharides through the combination of different CAZymes and analyze and report the results
• Describe and compare the pathways and mechanisms for the biosynthesis of glycoproteins and glycolipids and discuss their diverse biological functions
• Discuss how CAZymes and glyco-engineering can be used in industries to develop environmentally-friendly sustainable processes in food production, fuel production, materials and medical applications

A bachelor's degree, corresponding to at least 180 ECTS credits, including at least a total of  20 ECTS Chemistry or similar.

Basic course in micrbiology, i.e. BB1030

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

• LAB1 - Laboratory course, 2.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
• TEN1 - Written exam, 5.5 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, 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.

Qi Zhou

• 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.

Further information about the course can be found on the Course web at the link below. Information on the Course web will later be moved to this site.