Biotechnology relies on biological processes to develop products, systems and tools that improve or benefit humans ranging from food processing, biofuels to drug development.
It is divided in 5 main branches:
- Animal biotechnology: applications include producing transgenic animals by in vitro (in lab) egg fertilization to transfer desired properties including increased milk, meat or wool production
- Medical biotechnology: applications include drug development produced from bacteria which have been tweaked to obtain the active drug chemicals or large scale production of hormones (human insulin used in diabetes and interferon needed in the immune system) and proteins (blood serum)
- Industrial biotechnology: applications include the large-scale production of commercially valued products often by microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) such as acetone in nail polish, penicillin in antibiotics or vanillin in vanilla flavour
- Environmental biotechnology: application include producing biofuels as a more sustainable energy source or bioremediation, using living organisms (bacteria) to remove contaminants, pollutants and toxins from different environments (soil, air, water)
- Plant biotechnology: applications include breeding disease-resistant and high-yielding crop species and producing more nutritious food (increased proteins and vitamins) to feed the increasing world-population
As shown above, biotechnology is no longer limited to improving health but generally involved in improving the world we live in. It has created novel industries and reinforced others: earlier detection of diseases through genetic screening, biodegradable plastics and plastic digesting bacteria, biotextiles to combat the polluting fashion industry.
While clinical biotech companies often incur a high risk for investors due to the timescale needed until a drug or therapy hits the market once it receives approval, it is extremely rewarding. Innovative programs with encouraging clinical results can generate high returns for investors. For example, if they are acquired by larger pharmaceutical companies or if they have a patent where royalties need to paid when the drug or technology is used.
Featured Courses
The CPD accredited courses are carefully crafted to help you gain in-depth knowledge on a topic of your interest.
Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)
This intermediate-level course provides a thorough overview of the field of next-generation sequencing, from its properties and strength and its major applications, to an overview of a typical sequencing workflow.
Molecular Microbiology
Molecular microbiology is a very progressive field of science, there is an enormous demand to understand the omnipresent microbes influencing our everyday life on sub-cellular level, which will be subject of this course.
Gene Therapy
Gene therapy is one of the youngest disciplines providing a novel way into treating diseases.
Cancer Biology: Exploring the Molecular and Genetic Aspects
This is an intermediate-level course that explores the molecular and genetic basis of cancer, its evolution, and cancer immunology.
Cell Biology
This course will introduce you to the complex world of cells- the most basic unit of life. We will explore how they grow, move, respond to and interact with their environment.
CRISPR: Revolutionising Genome Editing
This advanced-level course is designed to develop an understanding of complex concepts related to genomics, particularly CRISPR/Cas technology and its applications...
Climate change and the need to find sustainable alternatives for future generations means that more industries are relying on living systems and produced waste for solutions. A transition from a fossil to a more bio-based economy has also been highlighted by experts. As such, many students (undergraduates, graduates, PhD) are attracted to starting their own biotech start-ups in one of the 5 branches to help society. Investors are also aware that while being risky, biotech stocks can potentially offer substantial long-term returns as shown by the recent COVID-19 pandemic (diagnostic antigenic and PCR tests as well as vaccines).