Biological Sciences

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Biological Sciences

Research and teaching interests of the Biological Sciences scientific area  range from Molecular and Cellular Biology, Biochemistry and Microbiology  to contemporary genome-based view of Biology. Ongoing interdisciplinary  research programs involve molecular biosciences across disciplines, from  molecules to systems, and synthetic and molecular systems biology  strategies to understand how biological systems orchestrate their multiple  functions envisaging the exploitation/control of their biological activities.

This scientific area offers a multidisciplinary education which involves:

  • The  fundamentals of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology  and Microbial Ecology;
  • The molecular tools and the strategies of Genetic  Engineering;
  • The understanding of Microbial Biochemistry and Physiology;
  • The  Functional and Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics;
  • The Integrative  Microbiology and
  • The Molecular Systems and Synthetic Biology perspective. 

Objectives

There is a focus on the study of microorganisms, which is critical for:

  • Understanding fundamental life mechanisms
  • New developments and applications in industrial biotechnology,
  • Environmental restoration,
  • Energy production,
  • Human and animal health and food sectors.

Education and Research

The area is involved in all training programs with a biological component offered at IST, as well as in advanced postdoctoral training in the field.  Students, at all levels, have the opportunity to participate in research training at the Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences.