Japan has a long tradition of fermented foods. In Yamanashi sake and shoshu production has been established since a long time (http://www.yamanashi-sake.jp/en/). Biotechnology is not new, it has been used since centuries.
Course Description: Biotechnology is a combination of all natural sciences and at the interface of basic and applied science. Biotechnology is using engineering principles to manipulate biological processes; especially, genetic manipulation. We will follow the historical development of modern biotechnology in different countries, discuss the ethics of biotechnology, point out the career development options, research the science and safety of biotechnology and discuss the legal issues involved in biotechnology. Course activities will include lectures, student presentations, and readings that connect the obtained knowledge to other scientific subjects (ethics, law, and economy).
Course Objectives: This course will introduce the students to:
Red Biotechnology: applied to medical processes and used to obtain novel antibodies or other biosimilars to cure diseases.
White Biotechnology (Grey Biotechnology): Applied to industrial processes, for example to catalyze reactions.
Green Biotechnology: Plant breeding; controversial discussed, and the influence on the environment is a topic of considerable debate.
Blue Biotechnology: Using sea resources to create products and applications of industrial interest.
At the end of the course the students can judge the influence of biotechnology on the society.