Bio Technology Course

Lesson 1 • History and Scope of Biotechnology

Traces biotechnology from ancient fermentation to modern genomics. Contextualises the field's breadth and sets expectations for the course.

Lesson 2 • Cell Biology Essentials

Reviews prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure relevant to biotech applications. Provides the cellular context for gene expression and protein production.

Lesson 3 • Biochemistry for Biotechnologists

Introduces proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, and lipids as functional molecules. Enzyme kinetics and reaction conditions directly inform bioprocess design.

Lesson 4 • Molecular Biology Core Concepts

Covers DNA structure, replication, transcription, and translation. These processes are the mechanistic basis for all genetic engineering techniques.

Lesson 1 • Microscopy and Imaging Techniques

Introduces light, fluorescence, and electron microscopy for biological visualisation. Imaging skills support cell culture, microbiology, and quality control work.

Lesson 2 • Measurement and Instrumentation

Trains accurate use of balances, pipettes, spectrophotometers, and centrifuges. Precision measurement underpins reproducible experimental results.

Lesson 3 • Laboratory Safety and Compliance

Covers biosafety levels, hazard classification, and personal protective equipment. Compliance with safety standards is mandatory before any practical work begins.

Lesson 4 • Documentation and Lab Notebooks

Establishes standards for recording experiments, data integrity, and electronic records. Proper documentation supports reproducibility and regulatory compliance.

Lesson 1 • Gene Expression Systems

Compares bacterial, yeast, insect, and mammalian expression systems for recombinant proteins. System selection balances yield, post-translational modification, and cost.

Lesson 2 • Construct Verification Methods

Applies sequencing, restriction mapping, and Southern blotting to confirm insert identity. Verification prevents downstream failures caused by incorrect constructs.

Lesson 3 • Vectors and Cloning Strategies

Covers plasmid, viral, and artificial chromosome vectors and their selection criteria. Vector choice determines insert capacity, host compatibility, and expression level.

Lesson 4 • Restriction Enzymes and DNA Cutting

Explains restriction enzyme recognition, cutting patterns, and selection criteria. Restriction digestion is the entry point for assembling recombinant constructs.

Lesson 1 • Homology-Directed Repair and Base Editing

Applies HDR templates and base editors for precise sequence changes without double-strand breaks. These approaches expand the precision and safety of genome editing.

Lesson 2 • Editing Validation and Off-Target Analysis

Uses T7E1 assay, amplicon sequencing, and whole-genome sequencing to confirm edits. Rigorous validation is required before edited cells are used in research or therapy.

Lesson 3 • CRISPR-Cas9 Mechanism and Design

Explains Cas9 nuclease function, guide RNA design, and PAM sequence requirements. Mechanistic understanding is essential for designing efficient and specific edits.

Lesson 4 • Transgenic Organisms and Applications

Covers production of transgenic plants, animals, and microbes for research and commercial use. Regulatory and ethical considerations accompany each application area.

Lesson 1 • Variant Calling and Analysis

Identifies SNPs, indels, and structural variants from sequencing data. Variant analysis links genotype to phenotype in research and diagnostic contexts.

Lesson 2 • Genome Assembly and Annotation

Teaches de novo and reference-guided assembly, scaffolding, and gene annotation pipelines. Accurate assembly is prerequisite to functional genomic interpretation.

Lesson 3 • Transcriptomics and RNA Sequencing

Applies RNA-seq to measure gene expression, alternative splicing, and non-coding RNAs. Transcriptomic data reveals cellular responses to conditions and treatments.

Lesson 4 • Comparative and Functional Genomics

Uses synteny, ortholog mapping, and genome-wide association to infer gene function. Comparative approaches accelerate discovery across species and populations.

Lesson 1 • Rational Protein Design

Applies computational modelling and site-directed mutagenesis to improve protein properties. Rational design targets specific residues to alter stability, binding, or catalysis.

Lesson 2 • Protein Structure and Function

Reviews primary through quaternary structure and structure-function relationships. Structural understanding guides rational design and mutation strategies.

Lesson 3 • Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry

Applies 2D gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry to identify and quantify proteomes. Proteomics reveals protein expression changes under different biological conditions.

Lesson 4 • Directed Evolution Techniques

Uses random mutagenesis and high-throughput screening to evolve proteins with desired traits. Directed evolution bypasses the need for complete structural knowledge.

Lesson 1 • Media Formulation and Optimization

Designs defined and complex media for growth and product formation. Nutrient balance and feeding strategies directly impact titer and product quality.

Lesson 2 • Microbial Growth and Kinetics

Quantifies growth phases, specific growth rate, and yield coefficients for production organisms. Kinetic models guide media formulation and process control decisions.

Lesson 3 • Bioreactor Design and Operation

Covers stirred tank, airlift, and perfusion bioreactor configurations and control systems. Reactor design determines mixing, oxygen transfer, and shear stress on cells.

Lesson 4 • Downstream Processing and Recovery

Covers cell harvesting, clarification, and initial purification steps after fermentation. Efficient downstream processing preserves product integrity and reduces manufacturing cost.

Lesson 1 • Analytical Characterization of Biologics

Uses bioassays, chromatography, and spectroscopy to characterize identity, purity, and potency. Characterization data supports regulatory submissions and lot release decisions.

Lesson 2 • Good Manufacturing Practice Principles

Applies GMP requirements to facility design, personnel, equipment, and documentation. GMP compliance is mandatory for products intended for human use.

Lesson 3 • Regulatory Submission and Approval

Guides preparation of regulatory dossiers, common technical document format, and agency interactions. Successful submissions require complete chemistry, manufacturing, and controls data.

Lesson 4 • Biopharmaceutical Product Classes

Surveys monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, gene therapies, and cell therapies as product categories. Each class has distinct manufacturing, characterization, and regulatory requirements.