Honours Bachelor of Science – Biotechnology (BBTA)

Molecular interactions govern the activity, organization, and evolution of biomolecules necessary for life. Understanding these interactions is critical to the comprehension of biotechnology. Students expand knowledge in biochemistry to the structure and synthesis of biomolecules, and biomolecular contribution to cell structure and function. Macromolecules implicated in cell division, the basis of heredity and patterns of gene and human chromosomal inheritance are also discussed. Students engage in lecture driven and independent study of selected topics.

A comparison of biological form and function within the domains of life is necessary to contextualize broader applications and implications of biotechnological research within the biosphere. Students develop knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the main kingdoms of life and emerging pathogens. Discussions of evolving topics such as ecosystems, biodiversity, conservation, and the environmental applications of biotechnology provide students opportunity to assess their emerging opinions in their chosen field of study. Microbial population interactions with humans in environmental and health applications in comparative biology conclude topics covered through in-class, group, and independent study. Students will use online bioinformatics tools to compare given macromolecular sequences to determine relatedness of various species.

In this course, the student will explore some of the pathological processes which lead to disruption in an individuals ability to meet basic human needs.

Microbes are an integral part of our well-being and society. Not only are they responsible for disease, but they are also essential as human symbionts and in the production of food and other industrial applications. Biotechnology students acquire an introduction to microbiology by investigating the history of microbes and their impact on human lives. Lectures deliver broad microbial knowledge developed over the past 400 years by examining a survey of microbes, their relationship to each other and eukaryotic organisms. Students discuss laboratory science in the identification and differentiation of microbes.

Recognition of the distinctive differences between Eukaryotic cell types and their unique contributions with multicellular life is a fundamental skill in biotechnology research and healthcare. Students acquire an understanding of cellular physiology through the examination of cellular regulation, membrane biology and cellular communication of plant and animal cells. Through individual and group-based projects, students investigate multicellular cell systems utilizing literature reviews and histological comparisons. Students will be encouraged to practice continual and consistent review of histological and pathological samples from online databases with participation-based grading.

Molecular biology and genetic engineering encompass a wide variety of topics and techniques that are used in multiple disciplines within the biotechnological sphere. Students engage in the opportunity to augment their knowledge of the most currently used strategies and techniques in biotechnology, molecular biology, and genetics, which supports the understanding of fundamental principles used in contemporary molecular biological labs. Further, students generate and analyze real data from experiments using techniques as qPCR, RT-qPCR and CRISPR-Cas technology, followed by discussions into forecasting future requirements in the management of similar projects. Individual and group-based projects on current concepts further emphasize applicable knowledge in these important techniques and advancements within the molecular biotechnology sector.

Fermentation technology from the simple to the complex provides us with a multitude of food associated products, biopharmaceuticals, beverages and more recently biofuels, in addition to the raw ingredients for environmentally friendly plastics and building materials. This course delves into the principles of fermentation from simple batch reactors to advanced up-scaled fermentation procedures responsible for providing key ingredients for a variety of industrial and food production ingredients. Fermentation, be it solid state or liquid phase, utilizes the vast and diverse microbial resources to provide food, improve food quality and nutrition, provide additives and flavours and use native industrially produced microbes to produce industrial quantities of enzymes and proteins. Microbes can be further enhanced and optimized by metabolic engineering to provide non-natively produced starting materials or cellular resources. The use of fermentation technology in its broadest sense will be explored and practical applications will be illustrated.

Biotechnological methods have become vital tools in medical research. As a consequence, a strong familiarity with Eukaryotic cell structure and organization of multicellular organismal physiology are essential for the effective application of biotechnological approaches. This course builds upon the knowledge gained in BIO320 Cell Physiology to examine biochemical control of various physiological systems including major metabolic processes within the cell and whole organism. Students explore online content studying cellular and multicellular structures furthering their appreciation for the theoretical and practical connection between molecular processes and larger systems. Students integrate knowledge and understanding of individual processes including genetic and structural control of cells considering the integrated nature between the different pathways. Students explore the potential to apply biotechnology to the repair of tissue and associated physiological systems in multicellular organisms. Also, students will use online research journals to critique current research, propose an improvement, and connect practical laboratory techniques in relevant research.

The in vitro cultivation of eukaryotic cells is paramount to establishing cell culture models of disease, investigating complex developmental phenomena, engineering of cell lines for specific clinical applications such as regenerative medicine, and manipulating plant derived cells for crop improvement or recombinant protein expression. This course examines theoretical aspects of in vitro cultivation of eukaryotic cells derived from various tissues and species, with an emphasis on mammalian tissue culture principles and techniques. The principles of cellular preparation from explanted tissues, and the development of defined artificial media and cellular environments will be investigated. This will be complemented with detailed theoretical discussions with regards to subculturing using aseptic technique, cellular enumeration, the explanation of cells from living tissue, cloning cells and cryopreservation. Mammalian cell culture techniques will be complemented by the processes by which plant cell and insect cell culture is performed. Advanced techniques of matrix-facilitated cellular differentiation, three-dimensional cultivation strategies and organ-on-a-chip techniques will be introduced as well as cell culture-based models of complex developmental processes.

The mammalian immune system has evolved a collection of molecular mechanisms that protect from disease by defending the body from invading pathogens, allowing cells to discern self from non-self, and recognition and elimination of altered cells. Students explore the innate and adaptive immune system and the processes by which the system detects, responds and ultimately adapts to immune challenges. Using practical examples, lecture topics are integrated illustrating how immune threats are recognized and eliminated. Students explore the role of the immune system in health and disease, further complementing discussions by delving into topics of onco-immunology, autoimmune disorders, the impacts of immune-based diagnostics and the role of immune-based biopharmacologic agents.

Viruses continue to be prominent emerging infectious etiological agents affecting local and global communities. Understanding the molecular nature of these unique pathogens and their evolution alongside humans is critical to a timely response to emerging infectious diseases of viral origin. Discussion of virology encompassing a molecular understanding of virus types, transmission, replication, clinical sequelae and pathogenesis mechanisms including the diagnostics and molecular diagnostics required for detection are included. Further, students explore the biotechnological applications of viruses and viral products in therapeutics including the use of recombinant viral vaccines.

Recognition and application of the regulatory standards and quality principles from external bodies that govern efficacious and ethical research and industrial production are critical to the operation of a variety of biotechnological workplaces and processes. Students employ GxPs in the handling, analysis, and review of data. Knowledge acquired allows the student to develop quality documents through analysis of current biologically relevant case studies, including those used for the pharmaceutical and cannabis industries within Canada. Also, students learn the regulations governing their field through navigating online content from Health Canada and other biotechnological regulatory bodies.

While microbes have always been an essential companion to human health, the scientific discipline of microbiology is continually updating to reflect the evolving and improving biotechnological techniques used to identify, manage, and utilize microbes. Building on the knowledge gained in BIO310 Microbiology, students investigate current and specific applications employed in the field of microbiology and the elucidation of the importance of various microbiomes. Students discover how current techniques developed in other disciplines, such as genetic engineering, are being employed to demonstrate the beneficial and harmful ways in which microbes contribute to disease, food production, and environmental protection.

An odyssey of history and discovery exists within biopharmaceuticals. Through the natural and chemically modified pharmacological interventions of diseases and maladies acquired knowledge in biotechnology, students discover the history of biotechnologically produced and natural products, their applications in the fields of human disease treatment and prevention including the history of modern pharmaceuticals, ethnopharmacology, andethnomedicines. Strategies for discovery-led compound development, and strategies for improving biopharmaceuticals by combinatorial chemistry and rational drug design are presented. Modern techniques for recombinant protein expression, purification and large-scale biopharmaceutical process development, transgenic organisms and molecular biological approaches to novel biopharmaceutical drug design will be emphasized.

Maintaining currency in emerging and relevant techniques is critical for success in any discipline. Effective and efficient communication between colleagues in a variety of forms is necessary for currency to be maintained, especially in a fast-paced field such as biotechnology. In seminar-style interactions and discussions outside a traditional academic setting, students are exposed to biotechnological professionals ranging from legal specialists to innovative scientists. External specialists will relate their expertise and experience to the class followed by an interactive lecture and discussion with faculty discussing new and repeating topics presented while highlighting the development of relevant and coinciding business plans within these examples. Students survey biotechnological experts, positions, and institutions in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) while building a professional network assisting in post-graduate opportunities. Also, students will prepare digital communications for non-specialist audiences.