Molecular Biotechnology

Industrial biotechnology and biobased chemicals manufacture underpin one of the largest industrial sectors. Using biological resources, such as plants, algae, fungi, marine life, and microorganisms, industrial biotechnology combined with the emerging science of synthetic biology, is revolutionizing manufacturing processes to deliver renewable and sustainable materials, biopharmaceuticals, chemicals, and energy. In particular, we will be looking at the key enabling technologies that underpin biotechnology research, including enzyme discovery and engineering, systems and synthetic biology, and biochemical and process engineering. We will also consider the wider issues involved in sustainable manufacturing, including responsible research innovation and bioethics. In the latter part of the course, we will illustrate how these technologies translate into real world applications, which benefit society and impact our everyday lives. This will include input from our industry stakeholders and collaborators working in the pharmaceutical, chemicals, and biofuels industries.