Education and training for industrial biotechnology and engineering biology
- Author(s): Camille J. Delebecque 1, 2 and Jim Philp 3
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View affiliations
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Affiliations:
1:
Synbio Consulting , New York City , USA ;
2: Afineur Corp , New York City , USA ;
3: Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development , Paris , France
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Affiliations:
1:
Synbio Consulting , New York City , USA ;
- Source:
Volume 3, Issue 1,
March
2019,
p.
6 – 11
DOI: 10.1049/enb.2018.0001 , Online ISSN 2398-6182
Industrial biotechnology is focused on the production of bio-based fuels, chemicals and materials such as plastics and textiles. Engineering biology, synonymous with synthetic biology, provides a platform technology that brings an engineering approach to harnessing biotechnology for industrial production. The two combine within the political construct of the future bioeconomy, in which bio-based gradually replaces fossil-based production. There are many barriers to this future, including technical, political and social aspects. Behind all of these is a need for a new form of workforce not seen before, in which various skills and knowledge bases merge and combine. The required multi- and interdisciplinary skills challenge higher education to get out of the discipline-dominated paradigm. This study examines some of the current and future critical issues and provides some examples of how higher education is rising to the challenge.
Inspec keywords: biofuel; biotechnology; further education; computer aided instruction; sustainable development
Other keywords: social aspects; harnessing biotechnology; materials; platform technology; plastics; textiles; higher education; industrial biotechnology; engineering approach; industrial production; synthetic biology; chemicals; technical aspects; engineering biology; knowledge bases; political aspects; training; future bioeconomy
Subjects: Environmental issues; Engineering materials; Biotechnology industry
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