NPLK26002U Applying Biosolutions – From Idea to Product

Volume 2026/2027
Education

MSc Programme in Biosolutions

Content

The aim of the course is to familiarize students with the process of translating cutting-edge academic research into viable biosolutions. It will involve several key areas: Bioproduction of high-value compounds, Biotechnological production of beverage and food ingredients, Biological pest control, Biostimulation, Bioremediation, Crop improvement, and Precision Fermentation for alternative proteins.

The topics will include current research trends, industry practices, case studies, and real-world challenges in these applications.

The course can include the following areas:

  • BioAg: Biological pest control, Biostimulation, Bioremediation, and Crop improvement: This module will cover sustainable strategies for pest and pollutant management, crop improvement, and biostimulation, showcasing advances in microbial, plant, algal, and enzymatic approaches.
  • Bioproduction: High-Value Compounds: This module will describe the whole chain of product development, particularly for ingredients, agriculture, and other industrial biosolutions.
  • Food-tech: This module will describe production innovations for food and beverage ingredients, addressing fermentation processes, photosynthetic production systems, and emerging protein and food alternatives.

 

The students will be given an overview of what regulations and quality systems is required going from invention to product release. Examples of regulations and quality systems will be presented e.g. quality assessment systems, such as ISO (Standardization), GMO, and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice), ESG. Key topics include intellectual property rights (IPR), regulations required for production, and the continuous need for quality assessments to ensure high production standards.

The students will include these aspects in the work with the different areas.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge

  • Able to understand and reflect on current research and technologies in biosolutions for agriculture, environmental, and food industries.
  • Knowledge of the end-to-end pipeline of biosolutions, from research to implementation.
  • Know what is needed in applying biotech research to solve industry-specific challenges.
  • Gain insight into the required regulations – e.g. GMO regulations, Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC), importance of GMP
  • Understanding the importance of intellectual property rights (IPR).

 

Skills

  • Able to describe important considerations related to the translation of research into solutions.
  • Being able to evaluate, select and translate literature knowledge to practical solutions.
  • Ability to design complete biosolution approaches and evaluate biosolution efficacy and sustainability.
  • Ability to suggest improvements in a method or a process related to biosolutions
  • Be able to apply various quality control/assessment methods and evaluate when to use different methodologies and tools.

 

Competences:

  • Competence in interdisciplinary collaboration to transition research into tangible biosolutions.
  • Develop solutions with an entrepreneurial focus
  • Reflect on different forms of required regulations e.g. quality control/assessemt and how these are used.
  • Comprehending the necessary regulations for production.

 

Digitalization:

  • Utilize bioinformatic information in public databases such as NCBI, UniProt, and TAIR.
  • Analyze biosolutions using digital tools, modeling, and data interpretation skills, where necessary.

See Absalon for recent reviews and seminal papers for each biosolution area covered.

BSc degree in biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, plant science, biotechnology, or related fields.
Courses of the first year of the MSc programme in Biosolutions or a relevant MSc programme in biosciences.
• Lectures to provide a theoretical foundation.
• Group projects/reports for hands-on problem-solving in biosolutions design.
• Case-Based Learning in groups: Address real-life scenarios requiring innovative, sustainable biosolutions.
• The reports will require students to analyze a case and demonstrate an understanding of key quality assessment systems and legislation.
• Guest lectures from industry professionals will provide insights into the requirements from idea to production.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 20
  • Preparation
  • 65,5
  • Theory exercises
  • 80
  • Guidance
  • 40
  • Exam
  • 0,5
  • Total
  • 206,0
Oral
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination
Type of assessment details
The oral exam will focus on:
1. The reports on the specific biosolution examples presented during the course
2. The case study carried out in the course
Examination prerequisites

Submission of

  • 2 out of 3 reports
  • The final case study.
Aid
Only certain aids allowed (see description below)

Reports from cases, student presentations, and notes. A laptop or tablet to be used for the presentation of the reports/case studies.

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Re-exam

Same as the ordinary exam.

 

If the requirements had not been met, the student must hand in the missing assignments 3 weeks before the re-examination.

Criteria for exam assesment

To obtain the grade 12, the student should convincingly and accurately demonstrate the knowledge, skills and competences described under Learning Outcome.