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 3 October 2016 – 28 October 2016. A detailed schedule will be provided on Blackboard 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
Evaluation of reports and presentations, a final exam
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used for communication and exchange of documents
Reading list
Course material will be provided by the teachers, at least in part via Blackboard
Registration
Register for this course via Usis and enroll in Blackboard.
Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Prospective students website for information on how to apply.