Research: Departments

Biotechnology and Molecular Sciences

The Department of Biotechnology and Molecular Sciences (DBSM) was founded in September 2004 in Varese. This new institution was established to provide a research nexus for the study of biological processes and their application in the field of biotechnology. The Departmental research strives to unify in a complementary and synergistic way the different expertises and skills of a variety of disciplines such as Biochemistry, Proteomics, Genetics, Environmental Sciences, Biomarkers Development, Molecular Biology, Fermentation Technology and Aquaculture. The integration of theoretical and applied approaches is further supported by the state of the art dedicated laboratories and facilities, which allow the development of innovative and competitive research projects with the goal of interacting with public and private companies to achieve an efficient technology transfer.

Currently, the Department staff includes four Full Professors, seven Associate Professors, five Assistant Professors and six Technicians. The research activities are funded by National and International organizations such as the Italian Ministry of University and Research, the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, the EU, the University of Insubria, and the Provincia di Varese. Other sources of funding include charities such as Fondazione Cariplo, the Italian Association for Cancer Research and research contracts with pharmaceutical and agro- and food-industry companies.
 
In July 2005, a summer school program on “Protein Engineering”, sponsored by SIB, was organized by DBSM. Also in October 2005, in a EU/Marie Curie’s action, a “Fish Welfare” course was sponsored and presented.

The Department hosts the Ph.D. degree in “Analysis, Protection and Management of Biodiversity”.