Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences - DBSV

The Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences (DBSV) was established in 2011 with the aim of bringing together biological sciences, biotechnology, and medicine in a single research environment. In this context, the shared goal across all areas of the Department is to create synergies between basic and applied research, and between laboratory and clinical research, promoting an interdisciplinary approach capable of training students and researchers with a comprehensive and innovative scientific and technological vision in life sciences and biotechnology. This approach has enabled significant achievements in both research and teaching, usually possible only in large universities, while retaining the agility of a smaller structure. 
The Department is organised into two Sections: the Section of Biological Sciences and Technologies and the Section of Medical and Surgical Sciences. This organisation allows for agile and flexible management tailored to the needs of the two disciplinary areas, which, despite extensive inter-area collaborations, are characterised by specific requirements in research, teaching, and third mission activities.

The research focus of the DBSV concerns the well-being of humans, animals, and the environment. The Department conducts high-quality research in well-equipped laboratories in the fields of Biotechnology and Medical Sciences, achieving excellence both in scientific output and in national and international collaborations. 
In the biological/biotechnological area, the educational offerings include two bachelor’s degrees (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences), two master’s degrees (Biomedical Sciences and Molecular and Industrial Biotechnology), and a PhD in Biotechnology and Life Sciences. In the medical area, the Department serves as a reference for seven Specialisation Schools.

In terms of third mission activities, the DBSV is committed to disseminating, communicating, and popularising scientific knowledge to contribute to the social, cultural, and economic development of society, with particular attention to the local area in which the University of Insubria operates. The Department also focuses on the economic valorisation of knowledge: close interactions with companies enable technology and knowledge transfer activities and guide research projects toward practical applications.

To support international mobility, the Department has established and continues to promote various exchange agreements for incoming and outgoing faculty, researchers, research fellows, and PhD students with institutions and research organisations both in Europe (Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland) and beyond (USA, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Iran, and Iraq). 
The two master’s degree programmes in Biomedical Sciences and Molecular and Industrial Biotechnology allow for the acquisition of a double degree. For more information see: Double Degree Programmes. 
Internationalisation activities are monitored via the platform accessible at: https://form.jotformeu.com/53431504401340

The DBSV is the main contact for five degree programmes in the biological and biotechnological fields: the Bachelor's Degree in Biotechnology (BTEC), the Bachelor's Degree in Biological Sciences (SBIO), the Master's Degree in Biomedical Sciences (BMS), the Master's Degree in Biotechnology for the Bio-Based and Health Industry (BBHI), and the Master's Degree in Biology and Sustainability (BIOSOS). 
Academic staff in the medical field participate in the above courses as well as in the degree programmes of the School of Medicine (Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics, Sports Sciences, and Health Professions). 
Regarding third-level education, the DBSV is the contact point for the PhD programme in Life Sciences and Biotechnology and for seven Medical Specialisation Schools.

DBSV’s research focuses on the well-being of humans, animals, and the environment. In particular, the Biological Sciences and Technologies Section promotes innovative strategies in the most advanced areas of biology and industrial, biomedical, diagnostic, animal, plant, microbial, cellular, and molecular biotechnologies, also aimed at the production of goods and services. Meanwhile, the Medical and Surgical Sciences Section carries out clinical and research activities with the goal of improving patient well-being.

As part of its third mission activities, the DBSV is committed to the dissemination, communication, and promotion of scientific knowledge in order to contribute to the social, cultural, and economic development of society, with particular attention to the region in which the University of Insubria operates. 
The Department also focuses on the economic valorisation of knowledge: close interactions with companies allow the development of technology and scientific transfer activities and guide research projects towards practical applications.

In addition to shared laboratories, experimental facilities, and specialised laboratories tailored to the specific needs of each Research Group (RG), the DBSV provides resources for research activities. Each RG uses its own facilities to carry out research projects and related activities within its disciplinary focus, including projects for thesis students and PhD candidates. 
To ensure effective and efficient use of these facilities, while respecting individual expertise, the Department’s laboratory resources can be used across different RGs, as can the University’s major equipment. For research projects requiring multidisciplinary skills, RGs form flexible collaborative groups, sometimes working with external partners.

The Department has identified Quality Assurance policies as the means to implement initiatives aimed at continuous improvement, in accordance with documents prepared by ANVUR, the University’s regulations on scientific research, and the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area developed by ESG-ENQA.

To this end, it has established both the bodies required by legislation and additional departmental bodies specifically dedicated to the centralised management and optimisation of its activities and its relationships with its stakeholders.