Biotechnology

This course focuses on exploring and understanding the science underpinning the biotechnology revolution. Principles of molecular, cellular and process engineering are explained, and their applications in industry, agriculture, and medicine surveyed. Forums on currently active topics feature invited industry speakers.

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This subject enables students to develop knowledge and skills relevant to Australian and global biotechnology industry by exploring the challenges of research translation and commercialisation. Students will navigate the steps involved in taking novel discoveries from the research laboratory to market, considering a multitude of factors which help or hinder this goal, including intellectual property rights, government regulation, and market opportunities. Learning will be supported by examination of local and global companies pursuing biotechnology innovation, case studies of product commercialisation successes and failures, and analysis of relevant commercial and scientific information and data. In lectures, students will hear from a range of experts including scientific researchers, research translation consultants, and industry professionals. Assessment tasks will require students to explore factors driving the success of novel biotechnology products and practice hypothetical investments pitches.  By the end of the subject, students should have the knowledge to scrutinize the ethical considerations and societal impacts of biotechnology innovation and commercialisation.

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A capacity to interpret data is fundamental to making informed decisions in everyday life. The design of experiments, analysis, and interpretation of biological data also lie at the very heart of the scientific enterprise. You cannot be a scientist without an understanding of data and design. This subject introduces you to fundamental concepts in data science for biology, with emphasis on modern statistical methods. Drawing on real biological problems and datasets, as well as drawing on data collected by the class, the lectures cover foundational concepts in experimental design and statistical modelling. The subject emphasises hands-on problem solving. As well as a solid grounding in statistical methodology, you will also develop practical skills, developing your capacity to design experiments, collect data, and analyse those data using the R statistical environment.

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This subject is an introduction to the field of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, building on 1st year chemical principles relating molecular structure to biological function. The content includes a detailed introduction to the structure of biological building blocks (amino acids, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids). The subject covers the structure and function of proteins, including the properties of enzymes, their regulation and kinetic behaviour. How nucleic acids replicate information, are maintained and repaired and serve as a template for the synthesis of RNAs and proteins (i.e. molecular biology) is addressed. The structure of lipids is examined to show their major biological roles, particularly as components of cell membranes. Metabolic pathways (glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, glycogen metabolism, TCA cycle and oxidative phosphorylation) will complete this core coverage of essential biochemistry. The subject is designed to stand alone, but it complements the laboratory experiences in the subject BCMB20005 “Techniques in Molecular Science”, Each of these level-2 subjects can be taken independently, concurrently or in either order.

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This subject will describe the wide range of structures, functions and interactions of proteins and their importance in biological processes, biomedicine and biotechnology. Emphasis will be on the three-dimensional structure of proteins and their interactions with biological molecules. We will describe experimental and computational techniques and how they help in determining and predicting protein structure and function and aid in the development of new drugs. The subject matter addresses the general properties of protein structure; the major classes and topologies of proteins; evolution of sequence, structure and function; protein synthesis, folding, misfolding, targeting and trafficking; bioinformatics analysis of protein sequence and structure; binding of small molecules to proteins and drug design; protein-protein interactions; effects of mutations on tertiary structure, protein stability and biological functions; enzyme reaction kinetics and mechanisms; motor proteins; transporters.

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Knowledge of genome structures from various organisms and the rapid development of technologies that exploit such information are having a big impact in biology, medicine and biotechnology. This subject describes the structure and expression of genomes in higher organisms and provides an understanding of the technologies used to analyse and manipulate genes. Students will learn how the modification of genes in cells and whole organisms can be used to discover gene function or to modify phenotype. The structure of eukaryotic chromosomes is presented to demonstrate how genetic material is replicated and how transcription of RNA is controlled. We illustrate how pathways that regulate RNA and protein are integrated to control cell metabolism and cell fate. The content will cover the bioinformatic techniques used to interpret and extend genomic information. The approaches of functional genomics to the study of specific human diseases will be discussed to illustrate the application of molecular biology to the study of human biology and health.

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The subject focuses on the functional biology of plants and how it can be modified by biotechnology. Students will explore topics through a series of vignettes including plant diseases and microbiomes; plant water productivity; cell wall biosynthesis for climate change mitigation; photosynthesis and enhancement for food security; nutrient uptake and fertiliser reduction; and the genome in plants and its modification by biotechnology and biodiversity. The practical class experiences and assessments form a capstone experience in which students apply theoretical knowledge to answer complex research questions. Students will design and carry out practical work using leading-edge techniques including using CRISPR for gene editing. By the end of the subject students are prepared for applying their knowledge and skills in both the workplace and further study.

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Pharmacology is an exciting discipline that provides insight into the mechanisms of action and beneficial and unwanted effects of drugs in the body. This is achieved by integrating knowledge from a range of biosciences including how the body works in health and disease. This subject uses specific examples of instantly recognizable and newly developed drugs to demonstrate how pharmacologists identify drug targets, design new drugs and test their therapeutic effectiveness.

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This subject will provide an overview of modern drug discovery and development, with an emphasis on the pharmacology that underpins the endeavour. The social, economic and scientific challenges facing contemporary drug discovery and development with respect to choice of suitable drug targets will be discussed; current drug targets, including receptors and enzymes, will be highlighted. Strategies – contrasting the complementary chemical-to-target and target-to-chemical approaches – to identify and optimise lead compounds will be presented. The material will include a discussion of small molecules as well as “biologicals”, such as antibodies and nucleotides. A description of how these lead compounds become drug candidates and are characterised with regards to their pharmacodynamic (receptor binding and activation), pharmacokinetic (ability to reach their site of action) and toxicological/safety pharmacology properties will be provided. Finally the approaches to bring an identified drug candidate to the market will be examined. This part of the subject will consider the necessary human clinical trials, regulatory requirements and ongoing monitoring of approved drugs. The subject material will be presented via a combination of lectures, associated online learning materials, and “hot topic” tutorials. The latter will focus on recent innovations in drug discovery, and will serve to highlight the close relationship between basic science and actual therapeutic agents.

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This subject represents a definitive Capstone subject for students completing a major in pharmacology and is equally relevant for all students interested in biomedical research. Students will learn how to design and perform experiments to investigate biological systems. Students will also gain experience in a wide range of molecular and cellular approaches and in analytical techniques used in drug discovery. Students will be provided with the opportunity to apply their experience and discipline-specific knowledge in challenging and authentic, real-world scenarios, before completing a short University-led research project. The assessment will develop and reinforce essential research skills. In their research project, students will work within a small team under the supervision of a University academic to design and conduct a study to investigate their unique research question and learn how to effectively communicate their research and disseminate their findings.

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