LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon the end of the course, students will have obtained knowledge on:
• the basic principles of genetic modification of cells or whole organisms for production of food and medicine products
• the importance of using stem cells in new therapies
• the principles of gene therapy
• the latest biotechnological techniques (such as Nanobiotechnology) which are applicable to diagnosis or treatment
The aim of the course is for students to understand the principles of modern Biotechnology through the analysis of genetic engineering technologies which have application in medicine, pharmacology, gene therapy and food production. During this course, the use of stem cells which creates new research and therapeutic perspectives, is also studied. Finally, the principles of the rapidly developing biomedical industry of nanotechnology and the resulting bioethical issues from these new technologies will be examined in the frame of the Biotechnology course
SYLLABUS
1. Introduction to Medical Biotechnology
2. Principles of recombinant DNA technology
3. Modern techniques of genetic engineering
4. Biotechnological production of hormones (human insulin, human growth hormone)
5. Biotechnological pharmaceutical products
6. Pharmacogenomics
7. Microbial biotechnology – use of microorganisms in Biotechnology
8. Introduction to Agricultural and Livestock Biotechnology
9. Production of drugs from transgenic animals
10. Gene therapy in humans
11. Stem cells
12. Nanotechnology (nanosensors, nanoparticles for gene transfer)
13. Ethical issues of Biotechnology