526-302 Biotechnology 2: Commercial Innovation

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Microbiology and immunology 526-201; biochemistry and molecular biology 521-211 and 521-212; at least one of microbiology and immunology 526-221, biochemistry and molecular biology 521-221, and 521-222, genetics 652-216. Microbiology and immunology 526-301 is desirable but not essential.

For BBiomedSc students, microbiology and immunology 526-201 or 526-205; biochemistry and molecular biology 521-213 plus physiology 536-250.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

By the end of the subject students should be able to:

• comprehend many of the issues, concepts and difficulties involved in developing new biotechnology products (for instance hormones, cytokines, vaccines, DNA probes, and biosensors), and in developing biotechnology based manufacturing processes;

• describe the principles underlying microbial processes currently in operation in industry, such as for example those used in manufacture of amino acids, enzymes, sugars, antibiotics and related biochemical products;

• recognise the difficulties involved in transition between laboratory and larger modes of operation;

• appreciate the importance of rational, independent and critical thought in biotechnology, such as is needed when assessing the consequences of deliberate releases of genetically modified organisms into the environment; and

• recognise the past contributions of biotechnology to society (for example in the food and health-care industries, and its potential for further improvement of human welfare) as illustrated by the ongoing contribution of molecular biology to advances in medicine.

Assessment

A 2-hour end-of-semester written examination (80%) and written assignments not exceeding a total of 3000 words (20%).