Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology Program

Agricultural Science 218
1955 East-West Road
Honolulu, HI 96822-2279
Tel: (808) 956-8384
Fax: (808) 956-3542
Email: mbbe@hawaii.edu
Web: www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/site/MBB.aspx

Participating Faculty

J. P. Bingham, PhD—peptide biochemistry
D. Borthakur, PhD—molecular genetics of bacteria and their interactions with plants
D. A. Christopher, PhD—plant molecular biology, regulation of gene expression, plant response to heat stress, protein folding
Z. Du, PhD—biochemistry and molecular biology
E. Haglund, PhD—protein biochemistry, protein folding and disease
D. Jenkins, PhD—biosensors
N. Jiang, PhD—biochemistry and specialized metabolism in plants
M. Kantar, PhD—tropical plant science, genomics, bioinformatics
Q. Li, PhD—environmental biochemistry
M. Muszinski, PhD—plant genetics, breeding and development of maize
P. V. Nerurkar, PhD—metabolic disorders and alternative medicine, signal transduction and gene regulation, gut microbiome, metabolomics, nanotechnological application in agriculture and health science
G. Presting, PhD—plant genomics, bioinformatics
W. W. Su, PhD—cell culture, biochemical engineering
J. Yang, PhD—animal molecular biology and biotechnology

* Graduate Faculty

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Understand fundamental core science concepts and have the ability to apply their knowledge in the field of biotechnology.
2. Have the knowledge and core sets of skills that span across basic Sciences and biotechnology, and Mathematics portions of (STEM) education.
3. Understand and be able to identify ethical issues and social impacts associated with biotechnology, and practice ethical standards of integrity, honesty, and fairness in scientific practices and professional conduct.
4. Can communicate orally and in writing in a clear, well-organized manner that effectively informs and clarifies scientific principles and lab techniques to others.
5. Are able to solve problems using hypothesis development and experimental methods on biological systems.
6. Are well prepared for employment in the critically important and dynamic biotechnology industry

The Academic Program

The Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology (MBB) program emphasizes education and training in biotechnology, one of the most rapidly growing areas of science. The cutting-edge tools of molecular biology, bioinformatics, genomics, genetics, cell biology, tissue culture, and biochemistry are transforming the environmental, medical, and agricultural sciences. In the field of biotechnology, these bioscience tools are harnessed to make products and solve problems faced by society. This field of study finds solutions to our most pressing problems in agriculture, the environment and medicine.

Students undertake a rigorous curriculum followed by hands-on research experiences during their senior year. The MBB program strives to offer a diversity of exciting opportunities that propel student success after graduation and in their future careers. It provides a strong foundation in molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, biotechnology, and the life sciences. The MBB degree gives students an edge when competing for jobs or admission to professional and medical schools.

Students tailor their studies to meet their interests by choosing electives and senior research projects. Students participate in hands-on laboratory work culminating in research and a senior thesis. A sampling of senior research topics includes the following: environmental and microbial, plant, mammalian, insect and pathogen, and aquaculture and bioreactor biotechnologies. Graduates are competent for employment using modern methods such as molecular diagnostics, forensics, tissue culture, genetic engineering, microbial detection, bioremediation, algal bioenergy, marine biotechnology, proteomic, bioinformatic, and genomic analyses. For more information on MBB, please visit: www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/site/MBB.aspx.

Programs

• Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology, BS