Natural Products & Biotechnology - Degrees

Post graduate specialisation programme

Download the Natural Products & Biotechnology postgraduate programme as PDF file [178 KB]

The programme is organized in 5 sections

Section I – Introductory Discipline

The cycle includes introductory courses on Scientific English, use of Computer and Statistics.

Section II – Introduction to Advanced Biology

The cycle is devoted to Cell Biology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry and Genetics courses. It aims to bring students from diverse scientific disciplines (Chemistry, Biology, Agriculture) on an equally high level of knowledge and address diverse issues such as genetics, biosynthesis, and biotechnology of Natural Products..

Section III – Chemistry of Natural Products

The cycle is a specialized unit in Natural Products including topic in Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry of Plant Secondary Metabolism, Chemistry and Biosynthesis of terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids and other phenolics, extensive laboratory in the analysis of natural products and evaluation of their role in the natural environment..

Section IV – Biotechnology of Natural Products

The cycle is a specialized unit focusing on the enzymes participating in the synthesis of Natural Products, heterologous systems of expression and large-scale production approaches..

Section V – Genomics and Proteomics of Natural Products

The cycle provides a comprehensive guide to the fascinating area of Plant Genomics and Proteomics, presenting an integrated, broadly accessible treatment of the complex relationship between the genome, transcriptome, and proteome of plants. This introduces the student to the range of molecular techniques applicable to investigating the unique facets of plant growth, development, and response to the environment, with emphasis to the applications related to plant secondary metabolism and the biosynthesis of natural products. The subject includes:

  • Functional and structural genomics addressed within the context of natural products
  • Current techniques and challenges to come
  • How to utilize DNA and protein sequence data
  • Practical considerations for choosing and employing the most commonly available computer applications
  • A review of applications for biotechnology, including genetic modification and defence against pathogens
  • Bioinformatics tools and Web resources
  • Numerous examples from the latest research in the field of secondary metabolism and natural products.

Training sequence

Section I – Introductory Discipline

[4 ECTS] – from October to November

NPB.501 – Scientific English (3 ECTS)

NPB.502 – Introductory Computing (1 ECTS)

Section II – Introduction to Advanced Biology

[21 ECTS] – from November to January

HOB.511 – Cell Biology (3 ECTS)

NPB.512 – Biochemistry (3 ECTS)

HOB.513 – Genetics (3 ECTS)

NPB.514 – Molecular Biology (3 ECTS)

NPB.515 – Molecular Biology Techniques (3 ECTS)

NPB.516 – Advanced Topics in Plant Cytology (3 ECTS)

NPB.517 – Tissue Culture Technology (3 ECTS)

Section III – Chemistry of Natural Products

[18 ECTS] – from January to March

NPB.521 – Topics in Organic Chemistry (3 ECTS)

NPB.522 – Biochemistry of Secondary Metabolism (3 ECTS)

NPB.523 – Chemistry of Terpenoids and Essential Oils (3 ECTS)

NPB.524 – Chemistry of Alkaloids, Flavonoids and Other Phenolics (3 ECTS)

FQC.534 – Laboratory Techniques I (3 ECTS)

FQC.535 – Laboratory Techniques II (3 ECTS)

Section IV – Biotechnology of Natural Products

[15 ECTS] – from March to May

NPB.531 – Enzyme Structure and Function (3 ECTS)

NPB.532 – Techniques in Biochemical Analysis (3 ECTS)

NPB.533 – Ecological and Stress Biochemistry (3 ECTS)

NPB.534 – Bioinformatics & Applications in Secondary Metabolism (3 ECTS)

NPB.535 – Industrial Biotechnology (3 ECTS)

Section V – Genomics and Proteomics of Natural Products

[6 ECTS] – June

NPB.541 – Genomics and Proteomics of Natural Products I (3 ECTS)

NPB.542 – Genomics and Proteomics of Natural Products II (3 ECTS)

Master of Science Programme

Project (9 month duration, 60 ECTS)

Topics generally available for Master of Science thesis:

  • Isolation and characterisation of the components of the cellular machinery involved in the biosynthesis of natural products (terpenoids, flavonoids etc.).
  • Biotechnological production of natural products by the means of in vitro (bio-reactor) or in vivo (cell factory) reconstition of the biosynthetic pathway.
  • Manipulation and genetic engineering of plant secondary metabolism to yield plants with improved production characteristics.
  • Engineering of plant resistance to biotic (pathogen) and abiotic (drought, chill) stress through manipulation of the secondary metabolism.

Last update: 03 of February, 2012