91817 Medical Biotechnology

Description

This subject is designed to enable students to consolidate and apply already gained scientific and molecular biology knowledge to discovery and development of medical biotechnologies. Research in the field of medical biotechnology has created breakthrough treatments for cancer, life-changing diagnostics and treatments for heart disease and diabetes, and disease-eradicating vaccines which have significantly improved and extended human life. In this subject, during a series of tutorials, workshops and inquiry-orientated learning activities, students develop comprehensive understanding of the use of cutting-edge technologies in discovery and development of biotechnologies for the management and treatment of human diseases. Students also learn about the clinical translation of research and utilisation of digital platforms for commercialisation of novel concepts and discoveries. Innovative assessments enable students to critically appraise the literature, identify gaps in the knowledge, design and recommend experimental techniques, analyse and interpret datasets, and communicate scientific findings. Ethical considerations in experimental design are also discussed. Students develop up-to-date understanding of the clinical needs in a range of medical areas and are able to demonstrate the use of 'omics' and imaging techniques for biomarker and drug discovery, and other current research techniques for cell-based, biologics or gene therapy development, or drug delivery applications. Therefore, the students gain in-depth understanding of the state-of-the-art technologies employed in research to create original discoveries and develop medical biotechnologies, from a molecule to patient.