This course provides strong training in many issues at the forefront of biotechnology. It integrates bioscience, biochemistry and biomedical science. Appropriately for this growing area, entrepreneurial skills and entrepreneurship are also developed in this course, providing a unique approach to biotechnology.
This course has a good balance of biology, biochemistry, biophysics and analytical chemistry and covers areas such as natural products, bioinformatics, biosensors, microbiology and aspects of drug design and manufacture. It is taught by specialists in bioscience, pharmaceuticals and analytical and organic chemistry.
This course has both full-time and part-time routes, comprising three 14-week semesters or five 14-week semesters, which you can take within one or three years respectively:
For the full-time study option:
Semester 1 - September to January
Semester 2 - February to May
Semester 3 - June to September
Semester 1
Research and Analytical Methods (30 credits)
This module aims to advise you on how to develop research proposals and project plans; search for and evaluate information sources from the literature; summarise and critically assess information from primary sources; select a research methodology appropriate to a project; and to communicate and present research to a diverse audience. Laboratory classes will focus on analytical techniques.
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Molecular Biology and Proteomics (30 credits)
This module aims to introduce students to the fundamentals of modern molecular techniques that are central to biotechnology. Students will attain knowledge of current molecular biology and proteomic techniques and learn how these are used in conjunction with bioinformatics to drive innovation in biotechnology.
The module will be taught through lectures, lab classes and computer sessions.
Anticipated structure of lecture topics: Central dogma / structure of nucleic acids and proteins / molecular biology techniques / molecular cloning / DNA sequencing / genomics, transcriptomics & proteomics / bioinformatics.
Lab classes and integrated IT sessions will include techniques in molecular biology and proteomics.
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Semester 2
Medical Biotechnology (30 credits)
This module aims to build a systematic understanding of how biotechnology can contribute to medical advances, to develop a conceptual understanding of how genomic studies are contributing to our understanding of disease and how this knowledge may be exploited, and to develop theoretical and practical knowledge in the application of laboratory techniques in the field of medical biotechnology.
The module will be taught through lectures, lab classes and computer sessions.
Anticipated structure of lecture topics: Molecular Pharming/ Modifying the mammalian genome & stem cells / siRNA biotherapies / C. elegans RNAi / Transgenic insects for disease control / Immunology and cancer / Advanced genomics and bioinformatics.
Anticipated laboratory sessions include: Recombinant protein expression in E. coli / RNAi / Advanced Bioinformatics.
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Plant Biotechnology (30 credit)
This module aims to build a systematic understanding of how plant biotechnology can contribute to agriculture (food and fuel). To develop a comprehensive conceptual understanding of plant biotechnology including both technical approaches and applications and to develop theoretical and practical knowledge in the application of laboratory techniques to the field of plant biotechnology.
Anticipated structure of lecture topics: Plant Biology/ Genetic manipulation of plants (Agrobacterium, biolistics)/ Engineering resistance to biotic stress (insects, weeds, disease)/ abiotic stress (drought, cold, salinity, nitrogen deficiency)/ RNAi in crop plants / Nutritional enhancement of plants/ Biodegradable plastics/ Bioremediation / biofuels (1st and 2nd generation) / Algal biofuels / Clean technologies/ Environmental impact.
Anticipated laboratory sessions include: PCR of Bt genes / Bioinformatics Workshop on Bt genes / Proteomics, 2D gels of plant proteins.
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Semester 3
Research Project (60 credits)
Following successful completion of Semesters 1 and 2, full-time students will undertake a laboratory-based research project for a minimum of four months (June-September). Set projects are available but you are welcome to propose your own project, providing you choose a supervisor and discuss the project with them.
Examples of Staff Research Interests:
- Biotechnology: plant and insect biotechnology
- Biofuels and enzyme discovery
- Cancer Studies: DNA repair mechanisms, function of DNA glycosylases, protein – protein interactions
- Cancer Studies: glycobiology, anticancer drugs
- Parasitology and Diseases: microbiology, bacteriology, microbial pathogenicity, MRSA, antibiotics, antimicrobials
- Synthetic organic and medicinal chemistry: free radical chemistry, asymmetric synthesis of anticancer agents
- Development of spectrometry-based techniques to measure biomarkers of DNA, protein and lipid damage and DNA repair
- Pharmacology: biological evaluation of novel anticancer agents
- Drug Design, medicinal and organic chemistry: design and synthesis of anticancer drugs.
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