Introduction to Bioengineering and Biotechnology

This free online course in bioengineering aims to bridge the gap between the science of engineering and medicine itself. You will consider the various global problems in which bioengineering, using the various technological advancements in the field, aims to solve. In the first section, you will be introduced to the significance of major life processes such as growth, reproduction, evolutionary adaptation and the properties of cells. You will also compare the distinguishing features of plant and animal cells.

Next, you will learn about the functions of nucleic acids, which are the basic components of DNA and RNA. You will study the different features of DNA and RNA as well as their structures and bases. The basics of gene regulation will also be analyzed and you will see the important milestones and discoveries related to nucleic acids and the central dogma of molecular biology. Thereafter, you will learn about the properties of plasmids and the fundamentals of gene cloning.

Finally, you will examine the various tools and technologies associated with biological research such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and agarose gel electrophoresis. See how the application of these tools can help with the duplication and the amplification of DNA. This course will be of interest to anyone in the field of bioengineering, genetic engineering, biotechnology, medicine and any other related discipline, giving you a solid theoretical grounding in aspects of biotech and bioengineering.