What is Biotechnology?

Biotechnology is an interdisciplinary science making use of enzymes, living cells or whole organisms for the efficient manufacture or processing of useful products. The goal is the development of novel and/or more efficient processes to obtain a wide variety of substances many of which are useful to man as food, fuel and medicines. In biotechnology knowledge from several fields, like microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, bioinformatics and engineering sciences are employed. The classical use of biotechnology was already developed several thousand years ago, e.g. in the production of wine and beer with the help of yeast and to turn milk into different food using specific microorganisms or enzymes. The modern biotechnology is making use of molecular biological and genetic findings and methods. In this way it is possible to develop new manufacturing methods for chemicals, like new drug substances or basic chemicals for the chemical industry, diagnostic methods, biosensors, new plant varieties, new energy sources and processing of waste materials, etc. Biotechnology processes might be applied in multifaceted fields, like medicine (red biotechnology), plants and agriculture (green biotechnology) and industry (white biotechnology).

 

The Institute of Biotechnology KUL

• The Institute of Biotechnology consists of five Departments, each with its own scientific scope in biological and chemical research. Scientific projects are connected with:
• Plant substances with biological activity
• Abiotic stress factors and the metabolic and molecular response of plants
• Interaction of cyanobacteria toxins, pesticides, antibiotics and immune systems of cold-blooded and warm-blooded animals
• Immunobiotechnology, cytophysiology and molecular toxicology
• Obtaining and analysis of physicochemical properties as well as application of nanomaterials
• Respiratory processes and decomposition of oxygen, its availability and transport in soil
• Methanotrophic bacteria and their properties
• Molecular mechanisms regulating protein synthesis in the cell under normal and stress condition
• Regulation of enzymatic activities involved in human diseases

 

Why Study Biotechnology at KUL?

• Modern and well equipped laboratories
• Small laboratory teaching groups
• major emphasis on practical work and on the developing of a wide range of analytical and manipulative skills
• High-qualified teachers with international experience
• Many scientific national and international cooperations

 

Specializations in the I degree study (BSc):

• Industrial biotechnology
• Environmental biotechnology

The graduate possesses a wide range of knowledge in the field of basic sciences: biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, microbiology, ecology and environmental protection based on mathematics, informatics, physics and chemistry. This knowledge is broadened by theoretical and practical classes in molecular biology, genetic and bioprocess engineering, industrial microbiology, cell culture techniques and biotechnological methods in environmental protection and pharmacy as well as knowledge of basic biochemical procedures.

Graduates are well prepared using biotechnological techniques and by this to undertake tasks in scientific, analytical and diagnostics laboratories, and to perform experimental research with biological material.

 

Specializations in the II degree study (MSc):

• Biotechnology of bioactive substances
• Environmental biotechnology

Knowledge and qualifications of the graduates of the master study in Biotechnology are enriched by techniques of plant biotechnology, molecular cytogenetics, and bioinformatics. The graduate is skilled in isolation and purification of bioproducts and their specific analysis and diagnostics. The graduate can also apply biotechnological methods in different fields of industry (pharmaceutical, food, agriculture).

Graduates of the specialization Biotechnology of bioactive substances are very well trained theoretically and practically to employ technologies connected with genetic engineering to select and modify microorganisms and higher eukaryotic cells and to carry out biosynthesis processes.

Graduates of the specialization Environmental biotechnology possess knowledge and skills related to immobilization techniques and use of microorganisms in bioremediation.

 

Career Prospects:

• Research and development in academic, industrial and clinical/diagnostic areas
• Industry (food and drink, chemical and pharmaceutical, quality control, waste management)
• Sales/Marketing
• Seeds and plants companies
• Local governments