Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani - K. K.

Birla Goa Campus

iGEM BITS Goa

&
Centre for Technical Education
First Semester 2020-2021

Course Title: Applications of Engineering Principles to Life Sciences

Instructor-in-Charge: Shruti Sridhar

Instructors: Gourav Saha, Yogen Borkar, Ameya Thete, Pranav Ballaney, Saransh Gokhale

Course Description: Synthetic biology is becoming an increasingly important frontier for interdisciplinary
research with varied applications. This course attempts to provide an introduction to bioengineering and describe
the various engineering principles used therein. This course has four foundational parts:

1. A background to bioengineering;
2. Mathematical simulations of biological systems involving computational approaches;
3. Circuit design and construction; and
4. Experimental approaches to genetic design.

This course would be appropriate for undergraduate students as well as students interested in participating in
iGEM (International Genetic Engineering Machine).

A student enrolled in this course would be able to choose between two tracks: Track 1 which focuses on
studying and building descriptive mathematical models for biological systems; and Track 2 which focuses on the
experimental aspects of biology.

Course Plan:

Class # Module Topics Covered Practical Work (if any)

1 Course Overview - -
Fundamentals of DNA
2-4 Introduction to Bioengineering Primers and PCR Design a primer
Case studies† and Applications
Registry and Biobricks
5-7 Biobrick Assembly
Parts and Design Design a part
Switches, Toggles and Toeholds
Identifying Stakeholders
8 Human Practices -
Integrated Human Practices
Operons
Kill Switches
9-12 Genetic Circuits Design a plasmid
Biosensors
Plasmid Selection and Construction
Drug Delivery and Bioremediation

1
 Chemical Kinetics and Applications
ODEs and ODE Solvers
Stochastic models
Mathematical Modelling Model a biological system
13-17 Case studies† and Examples
(Track 1) Applications of Machine Learning
Reactor Design and Scaling up
of Biochemical Processes
Lab Safety
Molecular biology techniques
Experimental techniques Case studies†
13-17 Proteomic techniques
(Track 2) Mutagenesis
Instrumentation techniques
18-19 Entrepreneurship Translating viability of an idea Case studies†

† - Case studies would involve implementing the contents of the ongoing topic by investigating projects in synthetic
biology.

Course Evaluation:

Sl. No. Component Weightage

1 Practical Sessions 40%
2 Quizzes∗ 10%
3 Final Presentation 50%

* - Check-in quizzes

Lecture Timings: MWF 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Contact Information

1. Shruti Sridhar 2017B1A10997G f20170997@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in

2. Gourav Saha 2018B1AA0639G f20180639@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in
3. Yogen Borkar 2018A1PS0659G f20180659@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in
4. Ameya Thete 2018B5A70885G f20180885@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in
5. Pranav Ballaney 2018B1A70635G f20180635@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in
6. Saransh Gokhale 2018B3A30033G f20180033@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in