Diploma in Computational Enzyme and Protein Design
From protein structure fundamentals to AI-driven design of fungal enzymes, with a focus on experimental validation.
Program identification
- 1.1Program name
- Diploma in Computational Enzyme and Protein Design
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Diploma
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Digital Mycology: AI, Genomics & Data. A Fungaris program of its own, not endorsed by a university.
- 1.4Mode of study
- Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
- 1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits)
- 6 months (24 weeks) · 192 hours in total · 8 modules of 24 hours · 24 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own program, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: January 11, 2027 to June 25, 2027. Enrollment closes on January 4, 2027. Following intake: April 12, 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Program description
The Diploma in Computational Enzyme and Protein Design takes you from protein structure fundamentals to AI-driven design of fungal enzymes, always with experimental validation in mind. You study protein structure and enzyme mechanisms, the major families of fungal enzymes such as CAZymes and oxidases, and molecular modeling and simulation. You then work with deep learning structure prediction, protein language models and fitness landscapes, and generative design tools, before planning expression, screening and directed evolution.
Computational design is changing enzyme engineering, but successful projects still depend on sound biochemistry and well-designed experiments. Fungal enzymes are central to industries from food and feed to biorefining, which makes them an excellent focus. This diploma suits biochemists, protein engineers and computational biologists with a background in biochemistry. In the design-and-validate project you design variants of a chosen fungal enzyme computationally and prepare a complete experimental validation plan, or test variants if you have lab access.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in digital mycology, useful in areas such as industrial enzymes, food and feed, biorefining and bioenergy, synthetic biology.
Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This program gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgment and safety.
Objectives and competences
3.1General objective
To finish the program able to apply its content professionally and with judgment. In short:
From protein structure fundamentals to AI-driven design of fungal enzymes, with a focus on experimental validation.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Protein structure and enzyme mechanisms; Fungal enzymes: CAZymes, oxidases and more; Molecular modeling and simulation.
- Put them into practice: Deep learning structure prediction; Protein language models and fitness landscapes; Generative design and sequence optimization.
- Apply everything to a real case: Expression, screening and directed evolution; Design-and-validate project.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your instructor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Relate enzyme structure and mechanism to engineering targets.
- Model and simulate fungal enzymes and their substrates.
- Predict structures and mutation effects with deep learning tools.
- Generate and rank enzyme designs with modern computational tools.
- Plan expression, screening and directed evolution for validation.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Biochemists, protein engineers and computational biologists.
4.2Entry requirements
A background in biochemistry or molecular biology is expected, with basic Python skills or willingness to learn them early in the program.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Protein engineer in an industrial enzyme company
- Computational protein designer
- Enzyme scientist in food or biorefining R&D
- Research associate in synthetic biology
- Application scientist for design software
- Doctoral or postdoctoral researcher in enzyme engineering
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Protein structure and enzyme mechanisms | Foundations | 3 | 24 |
| 02 | Fungal enzymes: CAZymes, oxidases and more | Foundations | 3 | 24 |
| 03 | Molecular modeling and simulation | Foundations | 3 | 24 |
| 04 | Deep learning structure prediction | Practice | 3 | 24 |
| 05 | Protein language models and fitness landscapes | Practice | 3 | 24 |
| 06 | Generative design and sequence optimization | Practice | 3 | 24 |
| 07 | Expression, screening and directed evolution | Application & project | 3 | 24 |
| 08 | Design-and-validate project | Application & project | 3 | 24 |
| Total | 192 |
8 modules × 24 hours = 192 hours: 48 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.
5.2Content by module
Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.
- Protein folds and stability
- Catalytic mechanisms
- Kinetics and enzyme assays
- Glycoside hydrolases and other CAZymes
- Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases and oxidases
- Industrial uses of fungal enzymes
- Homology modeling
- Molecular dynamics basics
- Docking and substrate binding
- Structure prediction tools
- Confidence measures
- Complexes and multimers
- Protein language models
- Mapping fitness landscapes
- Predicting mutation effects
- Inverse folding
- Generative models for sequences and structures
- Filtering and ranking candidates
- Expression systems for fungal enzymes
- High-throughput screening
- Directed evolution strategies
- Choosing a target and objective
- Computational design workflow
- Validation plan or experiments
5.3Company placement
This program does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.
5.4Final project
Computational design of variants of a chosen fungal enzyme with a complete experimental validation plan.
Methodology
6.1How it is taught
- Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
- Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
- Exercises and real case studies in every module.
- Tutoring: your instructor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.
6.2Platform and resources
A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.
Technical requirements →6.3Estimated weekly workload
About 8 hours a week for 24 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.
Assessment
7.1Assessment system and weighting
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, computational exercises in each module and a design-and-validate project reviewed by the instructor.
7.2Requirements to pass
- Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
- Hand in the module exercises.
- Have your final project approved by your instructor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
At Fungaris, the Digital Mycology school coordinates the content and quality of this program. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.
8.2Faculty
Taught by professionals who work in the field. The instructor for each intake is confirmed before the start.
Meet our faculty →Certificate
9.1Certificate awarded
Diploma Certificate
On completing the program and its project, Fungaris issues a Diploma Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognizes them depends on that organization and on local rules in each country.
9.2Issuing body / recognition
Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.
About our certificates →Admission and enrollment
10.1Admission process (steps)
- Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
- Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
- You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
- You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.
10.2Documents required
- A valid identity document.
- Contact and billing details (personal or company).
- A short résumé or a description of your experience in the field.
10.3Deadlines
Enrollment for the intake starting on January 11, 2027 is open until January 4, 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: $1,490
- Full payment before the start: $1,192 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation ($596) and 6 monthly installments of $149.
10.5Grants, discounts and funding
Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organization. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.
Your employer can pay for the program and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them.
10.6Cancellation policy
The conditions for canceling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrollment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.
Cancellation and refunds →Additional information
11.1Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to study Diploma in Computational Enzyme and Protein Design?
A background in biochemistry or molecular biology is expected, with basic Python skills or willingness to learn them early in the program.
How is Diploma in Computational Enzyme and Protein Design taught?
Live online, in 8 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, computational exercises in each module and a design-and-validate project reviewed by the instructor.
What is the final project?
Computational design of variants of a chosen fungal enzyme with a complete experimental validation plan.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the program and its project, Fungaris issues a Diploma Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognizes them depends on that organization and on local rules in each country.
What can I study after Diploma in Computational Enzyme and Protein Design?
The natural next step is Master in Fungal Genomics and Bioinformatics.
11.2Alumni testimonials
We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This program does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.
11.3Admissions contact
Write to info@fungaris.institute or use the contact form. Admissions answers in your language.
Keep branching.
Join the next intake.
Pay in full with a 20% reduction, or reserve your place with 40% and pay the rest in monthly installments. All prices are stated in US dollars (USD).