Medical Biotechnology

History

Considering the long history of scientific civilizations and the current development of Medical Biotechnology in the country, the Biotechnology major with a technical and engineering approach, in 1988, and medical and agricultural approach, in 1997, was offered at Tarbiat Modares University. The Department of Medical Biotechnology started admitting PhD applicant in 2009 in order to train specialists who are efficient in education, research and production of genetically modified products.

Introducing the Department

Taking into account the major biotechnological advances made during the 1990s towards the achievement of simulated animals and stem cells, imperative beliefs were widely disseminated in the development of scientific, clinical and empirical expectations regarding the science of medical biotechnology. In this regard, the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2000 was also one of the most significant achievements in this field. Due to its vital applications, its results in different areas of human life can be deemed as a milestone in its scientific and applied history. Currently, this course is offered at the major European universities (Manchester and Karolinska) and the United States (including Stanford and San Diego).
The faculty members successful presentation and implementation of scientific projects in making advancement and development in biotechnology has placed them among the leading academics in terms of science production and research activities in the field of biotechnology.
They also have a significant role to play in the development and updating this area by participating in large-scale planning and policy-making. In addition to the aforementioned facts, these people play a key role in the following areas:
1) Teaching and instructing theory and practice in the field of medical biotechnology and its related fields
2) Conducting research, designing and implementing research projects that produce technical knowledge and science in the field of medical biotechnology to promote the quantitative and qualitative quality of the production of biotechnology in the country and its responsible implementation
3) Practical and scientific management of biotechnology production projects with the approach of manufacturing biological and strategic products in the comprehensive health system of the country and take responsibility for the establishment, expansion, management and support the centers which produce biological products with modern biotechnology.

The Mission

What is the necessity and rationale for the existence of Medical Biotechnology in the world The progress of the industrial community and the growth and development of science and technology in the world have faced humanity with serious health and related issues. Turning science into technology, e.g. the emergence of biological aspects of technology, has led the human community to making use of biotechnology to tackle the major challenges in the area of treatment and prevention.
Nowadays, in the era of Modern Biotechnology and with the landmark achievements such as such as "Human Genome Project," "Generation of Third-Generation Vaccines," "DNA," "designing and developing novel diagnostic methods," "developing transgenic organisms for medical application," "biologic and gene-based drug delivery," and " applications of stem cells in medicine and Tissue engineering" have brought about a clear vision to promote human community health. As a result, the establishment of an academic and educational package of research and education based upon the priorities and medical needs of the country justifies the necessity of training experts in this field of science.
Experts in this field, by taking advantage of the essential scientific knowledge and capabilities they acquire, can develop and produce bioreactors and bio-generators to produce important and expensive products, such as new biological medicines and vaccines, as well as designing and manufacturing diagnostic kits and a variety of probes using single chain recombinant antibodies to treat a variety of diseases. Additionally, by cutting down on imports from other country, selling products nationally and internationally; these experts will become the producers of science, technology and wealth in the community and will help increase the national income level.

Research Areas of the Department

The main research areas of the Medical Biotechnology Department are:

Producing monoclonal and recombinant antibodies for diagnosis and treatment
Generate phage vaccines
Microfluidics designing the manufacturing and quality control process for monoclonal and recombinant antibodies
Genetically engineered stem Cell therapy for breast cancer
Making targeted exonoses for miRNA and medication
Biosensors
Producing recombinant and chimeric proteins for diagnostic and research use
Investigating the role of miRNAs in identifying specific biomarkers in diseases such as MS, CKD, Autism, and Hepatic Steatosis
Epigenetics
Building and characterizing the use of TCAR cells
Nano-luminescence and Nanomedicine targeted against cancer
Bioinformatics - chemical weapons addiction
Epigenetic Oxidative Stress
Producing biological products and Biotechnology