Biotechnology explores biological systems (cells and organisms) to discover new ways to benefit humankind and the environment. Biotechnologists use their knowledge of biology to create products and processes within areas such as food, agriculture, the environment and medicine. The concept of biotechnology has been around for a long time; bread, alcohol and cheese making, for example, all involve microbial fermentation to make desirable products. However, in the last 20 years, with the emergence of genetic engineering, genome mapping and a much better understanding of how DNA, RNA and proteins function together, biotechnology has revealed new and better approaches to solving many of the problems that face humanity. Biotechnologists have already discovered new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent disease, repair and replace damaged organs, create biofuels and bioplastics, grow crops with better yields, drought and pest resistance, and remove toxic environmental contaminants.
Biotechnology is a dynamic and evolving area with many opportunities and challenges, which is making significant contributions to the ‘smart economy’ in areas such as health care, agri-business, the food industry and the environment. As a scientific discipline, biotechnology is a blend of genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry and nanotechnology, with a strong component of computer technology – all of these disciplines are explored as part of this programme.
