Module Information

Biotechnology is broadly defined as the use of organisms or biological material to develop or make products for human benefit. Traditional biotechnologies include bread-making and brewing while the products of modern biotechnology include molecular biology products, pharmaceuticals and biofuels. Screening for lead organisms and their modification or improvement are important techniques. Microbes are exploited in biotechnology for a number of reasons; they have a short generation time, tools exist to perform genetic manipulations and the ethical concerns that apply to use of animals do not affect microbial research and exploitation to the same extent. Consequently, whether working in industry or a pure research environment many professional biologists will use a combination of biotechnology techniques and model microbes. This module contributes to the academic background and directly applicable skills for these careers.

The module will provide an introduction to the various branches of biotechnology. Practical considerations of utilising microbes will be discussed and methods for growth of organisms on an industrial scale will be considered. Examples of exploitation of microbes, their products and processes within the biotechnology industry will include alcoholic fermentation in brewing & biofuels, production of antibiotics & enzymes etc. Applications of current and emerging technologies to biotechnology research will be discussed.