Cutting Edge of Biotechnology

Hiroshi UMAKOSHI (Graduate School of Engineering Science)

Cource Objective
   "Biotechnology" is old and new technology. For example, the fermentation technique, to produce alcohols, can be considered as an old biotechnology utilizing effective microorganisms. The discovery of penicillin accelerated the establishment of molecule-based biotechnology, which can be applied to biochemical industry. In recent years, through the deeper understanding of the biomacromolecules (i.e. DNA/RNA, proteins), new biotechnologies considering the complexity (self-assembly structure) of the molecules have been developed (recombinant technology, bioreactor, metabolic engineering, nano-bio-devices, drug-delivery system, artificial organ, ES cell, iPS cell, tissue engineering, etc). In this lecture, review will be given on the fundamental and applied aspects of biotechnology. Each lecture will be given focusing on basic and advanced aspects of the weekly theme.

Course Content

1. Overview of Biotechnology (1): Red, White, Yellow, Green, Grey Biotechnology
2. Basic Characteristics of Biomaterials/Molecules (4): Microorganism, Biomolecules(i.e. antibiotics), Biomacromolecules (i.e. DNA/RNA, Protein), Self-Assembly (i.e. Lipid Membrane)
3. Biotechnology Based on Microorganisims /Cells (3): Fermentation Technology, Tissue Engineering
4. Biotechnology Based on Macromolecules (3): Recombinant Technology, Bioreactor, Metabolic Engineering, Nano-Biodevice, Artifical Organs
5. Biotechnology Based on Molecular Assembly (3): DDS, Bio-Inspired Chemical Engineering
6. General Discussion toward New Biotechnology (1)

Textbooks
   Relating documents will be supplied in each lecture.

Grading Policy

• Class participation and homework assignments 50%
• Activities in a class 10%
• Final report on the research new biotechnology 40%