Molecular Biotechnology

The global biotechnology industry enjoys more success and influence than ever before. Their innovations continue to improve the lives of people worldwide. The general principle of biotechnology is that it uses biological systems (microbes, animal/human cells, plant (cells) to produce, among others, antibiotics, pharmaceuticals, anti-tumor agents, anti-clotting factors, antibodies and food, but also food additives and biofuels.

This minor provides a comprehensive overview of the fascinating field of biotechnology. The discovery, exploitation and commercialization of some of our best natural products will be discussed including legal aspects of patenting. In addition, state of the art methods for directed genome editing and breeding will be discussed in light of crop and strain improvement or gene therapy. The students will familiarize themselves with the biotechnology-oriented research that is carried out at our University and in and around the Leiden Bioscience Park. In the minor, students will bring their theoretical background into practice by writing an extensive project proposal aimed at solving a biotechnology-oriented problem, and thinking about possibilities to create a start-up. This minor provides a sound basis for students interested in a future in the field of biotechnology.

Admission criteria apply to this Minor (see Appendix of the Education and Exam regulation BSc Programmes (OER)).

The minor Molecular Biotechnology is a selection minor and only accessible to students with a solid background in molecular biology and genetics, e.g. students from Biology, Life Science and Technology, Molecular Science and Technology, Biomedical Sciences, Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences and Nanobiology or similar. At the start of the selection procedure students must have passed all compulsory parts of their first-year programme and all compulsory parts of the first semester of their second-year programme.