91817 Medical Biotechnology

Description

This subject is designed to enable students to consolidate and apply already gained scientific and molecular biology knowledge towards discovery and development of medical biotechnologies. It also provides an opportunity for the development of laboratory skills related to in vitro models of various diseases using cell culture-based techniques in the HIVE laboratory. Research in the field of medical biotechnology has created breakthrough treatments for cancer, respiratory disease, heart disease and diabetes, life-changing diagnostics and disease-eradicating vaccines, which have significantly improved and extended human lives. In this subject, during a series of laboratory practicals, workshops and inquiry-orientated learning activities, students develop comprehensive understanding of the application of cutting-edge technologies. They gain in-depth understanding of experimental design, data acquisition, analysis and interpretation as part of research projects that can lead to discovery and development of biotechnologies for the management and treatment of human diseases. Students also learn about the clinical translation of research and commercialisation of novel concepts and discoveries. Innovative assessments enable students to develop research and laboratory skills, critically appraise the literature, identify gaps in the knowledge, design experiments, carry out a laboratory-based mini project in the HIVE, analyse and interpret datasets, and communicate scientific findings. Ethical considerations in experimental design are discussed in the context of research. Students develop up-to-date understanding of the clinical needs in a range of medical areas and are able to demonstrate the use of advanced technologies for biomarker and drug discovery. The students comprehend the pathways for the development of cell-based, biologics or gene therapies as well as regenerative medicine and drug repurposing. Therefore, the students gain research-based knowledge and skills related to the state-of-the-art technologies employed in research to create original discoveries and develop medical biotechnologies, from a molecule to patient.