Metabolism and Bioengineering

This course will introduce students to some key aspects of metabolic energy production and how this can be exploited in developing renewable energy production. It aims to raise awareness of issues at the forefront of the discipline and give students the ability to dissect problems in order to identify solutions. Specific topics covered will include the metabolic diversity in Bacteria and Archaea e.g. nitrogen fixation, methane production; anoxygenic photosynthesis will be considered and well as how the growth of microorganisms can be controlled by physical, chemical, mechanical, or biological means. The harnessing of photosynthesis in plants and algae for renewable energy production, as well as the conversion of biomass to other fuels, will also be discussed.