MBiotech Core Science

BTC1700HS - Molecular Biology Laboratory

This laboratory-based course introduces fundamental experimental techniques commonly used in biomedical research, and provides ‘hands-on’ experience working with nucleic acids and proteins over an intensive 6-week schedule. Students receive a practical overview of key protocols over the first week, and are provided with same-day, interactive technical demonstrations in a fully equipped ‘wet’ laboratory. This is followed by an extended research assignment in which students work in teams towards expressing and isolating a biomedically relevant, recombinant protein. Teams must design an appropriate research strategy, conduct experiments, collect and analyse data, and submit their product with a final report to meet a tight deadline. The course concludes with a final presentation seminar day.

BTC1710HS - Biomaterials & Protein Chemistry Laboratory

This laboratory course is intended to provide students with hands-on experience with biotechnology applications involving proteins, peptides and biomaterials. The experience will focus on the use of advanced equipment and techniques, and will include experiments that overlap with biotechnology applications involving proteins, DNA and other biomaterials. This will be an intensive 6-week course, operating 5 days a week for 8 hours a day including morning lectures and afternoon labs. Students will complete most projects and experiments in teams. A significant component of this course involves a science intensive, business assessment where the students have an opportunity to apply what they have learned.

BTC1800HF - Biotechnology in Medicine

This course will focus on the exploration and understanding of biotechnology as applied to medicine. Various lecturers from industry and academia will participate. Students will work in teams and each team will be evaluated through oral and/or written projects. Individual assignments and/or an exam will also be given. Lecture topics could include: drug development (preclinical through phase III; regulatory affairs; the use of biotechnology in the study and detection of diseases (e.g., the use of single nucleotide polymorphisms in disease detection), the molecular basis of specific diseases (e.g., cancer) and modern approaches to their treatment.

BTC1810HF - Biotechnology and Corporations

This course introduces students to some of the key aspects of the biocommercialisation process, with especial emphasis on the healthcare sector. In particular, the course focuses on the fundamental role played by corporate entities in the development of new therapeutic drugs and diagnostic tools in a highly regulated business environment. Topics covered include technology transfer, venture financing, company analysis and evaluation, ethics and safety, and corporate governance. The material is delivered by a wide range of recognised industry specialists. Students are assigned to work in teams to develop their first business proposal final written examination. There will also be a written final exam.

BTC1820HS - Biotechnology in Agriculture and Natural Products

This course, offered in alternating years, will focus on the exploration and understanding of biotechnology as applied to agriculture (including forestry and aquaculture), natural products and biocontrols. Various lecturers from academia and guests from industry and government will participate. Students will work in teams, and each team will present their assigned topics as an oral presentation(s) and a number of written team and individual assignments plus an exam will also be evaluated. In the agriculture area, lecture topics could include: traditional approaches to plant breeding, cultivar, and livestock improvement; genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the controversy surrounding them; genomics and its importance in agribiotechnology; nutriceuticals; plants and animals as bioreactors; and the cloning of animals and implications to agriculture. In the natural products/biocontrols area, topics could include: bioremediation of contaminated soils and ecosystems with microorganisms; use of natural and engineered products and organisms for pest control, and use of natural plant and animal products used for medicinal purposes.