Yellow Biotechnology

ECTS: 4

Elective

Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

Explain the principles of Yellow Biotechnology within the context of synthetic biology and circular bioeconomy systems.
Describe insect platforms (e.g., Black Soldier Fly) as integrated biological systems combining host, microbiome, and environment.
Analyse insect-mediated bioconversion processes in terms of system inputs, outputs, and performance metrics.
Evaluate the role of insect-associated microbiomes as functional and engineerable components of biotechnological systems.
Describe strategies for microbiome engineering, including synthetic consortia design and metabolic pathway optimization.
Apply the Design–Build–Test–Learn (DBTL) framework conceptually to insect-based systems.
Interpret omics-derived information for understanding and improving system performance.
Identify key process parameters affecting efficiency, robustness, and scalability.
Analyse trade-offs between growth, resource allocation, and product yield in biological production systems.
Evaluate downstream processing strategies and product standardization challenges.
Apply basic principles of techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life-cycle assessment (LCA) to insect-based systems.
Identify biosafety, regulatory, and sustainability constraints in insect biotechnology.
Design a conceptual insect-based biotechnological system integrating host, microbiome, and process-level considerations.
Communicate system designs and engineering strategies clearly and effectively.

Yellow Biotechnology as Engineered Bio-systems. Insects as programmable biofactories; Circular bioeconomy and their role in sustainable agriculture and waste valorization.
Host Biology and Platform Selection. Life cycles, physiology, and metabolism. Focus on Black Soldier Fly and Yellow Mealworm.
Insect-Microbiome Interactions. Gut microbiota composition and function; Digestion, detoxification, and metabolic cooperation; Microbiome as an engineering layer.

Bioconversion Systems and Substrate Engineering. Substrate types (plant residues, food waste, manure); Process parameters and efficiency.
High-Value Products from Insects. Antimicrobial peptides; Enzymes; Lipids and biofuels; Chitin and derivatives.
Omics and System Biology Approaches. Metagenomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics; Functional interpretation and pathway analysis.

Microbiome Engineering and Synthetic Biology Approaches. Manipulating microbial communities; Engineering insect-associated systems.
Process Design, Scaling and Optimization. Bioprocess parameters; Industrial constraints; Integration into value chains.
Techno-Economic Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment. TEA basics; LCA frameworks; Sustainability metrics.
Biosafety, Regulation and Future Perspectives. Risk assessment; Regulatory landscape (EU and Canada context); Emerging applications.

Insects as Sustainable Food Ingredients – Production, Processing and Food Applications (2016). Aaron T. Dossey, Juan A. Morales-Ramos and M. Guadalupe Rojas. Academic Press 2016. ISBN: 978-0-12-802856-8 (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128028568000120).
Stull, V., Patz, J. Research and policy priorities for edible insects. Sustain Sci 15, 633–645 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-019-00709-5
Abbasi, E. Edible insects in human nutrition: nutritional value, economic potential, and environmental implications for sustainable food production. Agric & Food Secur 15, 19 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-026-00603-1