The department of Natural Products and Biotechnology provides postgraduate education and training focusing on the current advances in the isolation, characterisation, and production of plant and microbial natural products and their application in the industry. The program reflects an interdisciplinary approach integrating expertise from the areas of chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, physiology and agriculture.
The introduction of Biotechnology in every aspect of Natural Products research, has dramatically facilitated the potential applications by the industry today. Natural dyes, alternative food ingredients and preservation materials, such as, natural antioxidants, bioflavours, biopreservatives, natural colourings, fragrances, and microbial polysaccharides, are only some examples of the growing use of natural products in the industry.
Importantly, the Pharmaceutical sector is actively involved in Natural Products research, since a large number of novel compounds have medicinal value. Thus, research in the department of Natural Products and Biotechnology also focuses on the development of novel pharmaceutical compounds based on natural products.
The program aims to provide students with a comprehensive theoretical background and laboratory skills to successfully address current research and application issues in Natural Products and Biotechnology.
Last update: 08 of June, 2012