Prospectus

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Biotechnology: from Gene to Bio-based Product

Course
2020-2021

Admission requirements

The course is open for all students that are enrolled in the minor Molecular Biotechnology and who have followed the previous course ‘Exploitation of Natural Products’. Students should have a background in Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Genetics. Students should be familiar with molecular techniques, such as PCR, cloning, protein biochemistry and “omics” techniques.

Contact information

Coordinator: Dr. A.J.F. Ram Email: a.f.j.ram@biology.leidenuniv.nl

Description

Lectures by IBL staff and guest speakers introduce how fundamental scientific research can lead to new discoveries and inventions, and how further multidisciplinary research is needed to provide proof of concept for the invention, and to turn the discovery into a marketable product. By active participation in case studies and through visits to research institutes and companies students will get acquainted with innovation and valorization processes in the Industrial (White) and Plant (Green) Biotechnology.

Course objectives

Course objectives: The aim of the course if to provide insight into the innovation and valorization process in Industrial and Plant Biotechnology. The first step is the invention: to link a new scientific discovery to an application in biotechnology. The next important aspect is to protect the intellectual property of that invention in a patent. The third step is the applied research trajectory needed to obtain prove of concept for the invention, which is needed to turn the initial idea into a product that can be sold.

Final qualifications: The student is capable of using the acquired theoretical knowledge related to research in the field of white and green biotechnology to read and present patents in these fields. The student understands the importance of intellectual property rights for industry and academics and knows how to write an invention disclosure.

Timetable

From 28 September 2020 – 23 October 2020. A detailed schedule will be provided on Brightspace before the start of the course. week 1 and 2: White Biotechnology week 3: Green Biotechnology week 1 and 4: Patents end of week 4: Final exam

Mode of instruction

Lectures, case studies, writing reports, site visits

Assessment method

The final grade consists of the following partial grades:

  • Assignment review: percentage of final grade 5%, minimum grade: 6,0

  • Invention disclosure form: percentage of final grade 10%, minimum grade: 6,0

  • Summary Excursie: percentage of final grade 5%, minimum grade: 6,0

  • Case study planten: percentage of final grade 20%, minimum grade: 6,0

  • Patent presentation: percentage of final grade 20%, minimum grade: 6,0

  • Exam: percentage of final grade 40%, minimum grade: 5,6

Inspection and feedback on the examination

Students can make an appointment with the coordinator to have look at their exam. Teachers will be available to discuss the questions and answers during appointment.

Brightspace

Brightspace will be used for communication and exchange of documents

Reading list

Course material will be provided by the teachers, at least in part via Brightspace

Registration

Register for this course via Usis

Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Prospective students website for information on how to apply.