Biotechnology: the rise of radical healthcare

This is a Biology Subject Spotlight with Prof. M. Safwan Akram from Teesside University. An interactive, cinematic course taster experience to allow students to gain insights into what it's like to study Biology.

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In this fascinating Subject Spotlight, Prof. M. Safwan Akram looks at how biotechnology has rapidly enhanced the development of healthcare. In episode one, Safwan discusses what biotechnology is, distinguishes key areas of application, and presents a case study on human insulin production. In episode two, Safwan provides an introduction to diseases prompting biomanufacturing, presents a mini case study on Hart Biologicals, and talks about high-end manufacturing of new drugs. In episode three, Safwan gives an introduction to the rise of immunotherapies, explains the structure of mAbs, and explores a case study about multiple sclerosis. In the final episode, Safwan recaps with some overviews of biotechnology, specifically the global challenges and how the UK plays its role in its development, before setting you an activity.

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About Teesside University

Based on its vibrant campus in the heart of Middlesbrough in North East England, Teesside University is a friendly, modern university offering a broad portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate courses spanning a wide range of subject areas. The university has invested more than £280m in its town-centre campus, giving it a leading edge in digital innovation, forensic facilities, science, and sport and health sciences. It is also investing an additional £300m until 2027 to further enhance the student experience. Teesside University has received outstanding praise for its commitment to students – achieving gold in all areas in the Teaching Excellence Framework 2023. It has also been named university of the year for social inclusion in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022, indicating the strength of its student community and the success of the university in cultivating a supporting learning environment, with plenty of opportunities for socialising and personal enrichment beyond the classroom.

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Prof. M. Safwan Akram

Prof. M. Safwan Akram is working at Teesside University as a Professor of Biomanufacturing, Engineering Biology and Innovation in Biosciences. Safwan obtained his PhD in Analytical  Biotechnology from the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, where he also did his post-doc developing low cost diagnostics. Prior to that he completed his M.Phil  in Bioscience Enterprise under the auspices of Cambridge/MIT Partnership. His work has been published in reputed journals like Nature Biotechnology, Lab on a Chip, RSC Advances & Annual Reviews of Analytical Chemistry. He has been awarded a Medimmune Award and CambridgeSens Innovative Idea award for research excellence. He has taught courses on Protein design and engineering, Recombinant DNA Technology, Biosensors, Technology Enterprise and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. Safwan was voted by the students to win the university-wide Star award for most outstanding teaching.

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