The explosion of genome-scale data over the last decade offers unprecedented opportunities to understand fundamental principles of biology and to apply biological knowledge to critical medical, agricultural, and environmental problems. Every day, faculty in the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics (MBG) engage in cutting-edge research, training, and teaching to advance scientific discovery and answer basic questions in the life sciences. MBG faculty and students continuously deliver the highest standard of research because of their demonstrated excellence in linking genomes to gene and protein function in the context of cells, tissues, organisms, and the environment. The Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics (MBG) was established in 2014 as one of the two departments in the Faculty of Engineer and Natural Science.
The mission of MBG is to conduct life sciences research with focus on the molecular and genetic details of critical life events such as metabolism, mutation, transformation, immunity, development, aging, and disease; to offer the best possible education and practical training in molecular and
genetic aspects of life sciences.
The Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Biruni University aims not only to teach the fundamentals of genetics and genomics but also to teach the clinical applications of this fast growing field. Unlike the Molecular Biology and Genetics Departments at other universities, this department aims to concentrate on human genetics and biology with an emphasis on genetic mechanisms and molecular bases of diseases.
MBG offers both undergraduate (BSc) and graduate (MSc & PhD) programs. A variety of courses are offered at both levels by MBG faculty and supporting faculty from other departments in order to cover a broad area of specialties related to molecular biology and genetics. Cutting edge research activities are central to graduate education and also considered as an indispensable part of educational activities at undergraduate level. Research opportunities exist in a variety of areas including, cancer biology, immunology, bioinformatics, biochemistry, structural biology,
microbiology, biotechnology, and developmental biology. The diverse areas of research are not conducted independently; there is a great synergy between closely and distantly related areas opening new research and study opportunities for students and faculty.
The primary focus of this strategy is to outline new research themes, and to align these initiatives with new Master programmes and to thoroughly reorganize existing education programmes. The future research themes are based on the present strongholds of the department but these strongholds will also be developed as individual disciplines to keep or expand the international competitiveness of these areas. All of the suggested themes will involve research expertise across the department and we thereby harvest most of the synergy that was outlined for the merger in 2014.
The students with the degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics from Biruni University will have the capability to work and perform research in the universities and clinics.
Whether studying cell processes and codes in humans, animals, plants or other living organisms, molecular biologists are needed in a spectrum of career fields. They utilize their knowledge of chemistry, cell physiology, genetics, physics and other sciences in their career studies. These professionals must experiment to gain results and push the boundaries of their research areas.
Biotech companies might need molecular biologists to genetically engineer new crops to improve their health and consumption rate. Other molecular biologists may develop a new way to test the validity of drugs used to stimulate safe gene growth and fight off disease.
Molecular biologists need to understand gene sequencing, cell signaling and gene expression, as well as organize and differentiate cells. They need to accurately record information and interpret results, which are to be passed on and communicated with others for non-scientific consumption.
Molecular biologists work with advanced lab equipment, like cloning kits, DNA synthesizers, and temperature cyclers. They regularly emphasize deductive reasoning and critical thinking in their tasks, as they attempt to enact change to processes and reinforce new methodology in solving problems. For instance, molecular biologists might be focused on how to change genetic properties in order to assist in curing or slowing disease infestation.
Job opportunities exist in private industries, universities and government agencies. In private industry, molecular biologists can serve as consultants while advising on scientific issues, such as environmental problems. For the government, they can research new ways to treat and diagnose disease. In universities, teachers are needed to help push new minds to grow the field and instruct students on how to conduct research properly and question existing models of scientific thinking.
Students who are considering to study in this department have to get the required MF-3 score from the exam. These 5-year programs including 1 year English can provide the groundwork for those who want to become molecular biologists. Students gain experience in a laboratory, which is essential since research is necessary for molecular biologists. Other common courses in these programs include:
Genetics
General Biology
Cell Biology
Chemistry
Bioistatistics
Molecular Genetics
Clinical Genetics
Biotechnology
Immunology
Recombinant DNA Technnology
Gene and Cellular Theraphy etc.
