Students will acquire knowledge of the recent and important developments in biotechnology related to agriculture and food and develop an understanding of local and global issues in biotechnology in relation to environment health and sustainable crop and animal production. This subject will provide an overview of the integrated use of various biological technologies for the effective translation of novel research into agri-food related applications including steps involved in commercialisation of agri-food biotechnology-related products and services and international trade and related economic issues. The students will also develop understanding of contemporary social and economic issues arising due to adoption of biotechnology in the agri-food sector.

This subject examines the macro structure of food and the chemistry of the components as part of a food matrix. This will include their interactions within a food matrix.

Specialised topics will provide students with a greater understanding of nutritional and sensory characteristics of foods, particularly where new product development involves novel functionality such as conferring health benefits or new physical traits.

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 will be discussed in relation to cancer to illustrate the application of molecular biology to the study of human biology and health.

This subject will enable students to develop skills relevant to the Australian biotechnology industry by enhancing their understanding of the processes involved in the commercialisation of scientific research. The steps involved in taking a product from the research laboratory to the marketplace will be illustrated by case studies presented by participants in Australian biotechnology development. Participants in this subject include contributors from industry, research development consultants, intellectual property lawyers, members of regulatory bodies and staff from a number of University departments.

Formerly BIOL30004

This subject elaborates on the scientific basis of disease recognition in individual animals and populations of animals. It explores causes of disease in animal populations, the mechanisms of disease processes and their transmission, principles of biosecurity, and the scientific basis of technologies and procedures available for monitoring disease status (diagnostics). Students will acquire skills in a variety of techniques used to monitor the health of populations of animals (ELISA, PCR, microbiology), and will develop abilities in critical analysis of animal health related matters.

Formerly BIOL30005

This subject expands on the themes developed in Animal Disease Biotechnology 1 and the role of animal health surveillance in maintaining the health of human populations. The subject offers opportunities to develop laboratory skills in areas such as haematology, immuno-histology and reproductive biology.