Environmental Biotechnology

The UH College of Technology has the only biotech degree program in the region that integrates molecular biology, bioprocessing and nanobiotechnology with an emphasis on environmental biotechnology.


Investigators

Principal Investigator:
Rupa Iyer, Ph.D.
(University of Houston)

Collaborators
Melinda Wales, Ph.D.
(Texas A&M)
Peter Clarke, Ph.D.
(Savient Pharma.)
Steve Pondell, MBA.
(Encysive Pharmaceuticals.)
Karel Petrak, Ph.D.
(Agennix Inc.)
Kari L. Clase, Ph.D.
(Purdue University)
Roger Shane Gold, Ph.D.
(BYU-Hawaii)
DeBakey High School
Houston, TX
William A. Kudrle, Ph.D.
(University of Houston)
Biotech at the University of Houston

The University of Houston's Interdisciplinary Research Based Biotechnology Curriculum (IRBBC) has been developed in collaboration with Reactive Surfaces, Texas A&M, Introgen Therapeutics Inc., Agennix Inc. and Encysive Pharmaceuticals. The learning modules are currently reviewed by our peers from academia and industry and are beta tested by Brigham Young University (Hawaii) and Purdue University.

This project based curriculum infuses current research into undergraduate labs and follows the life cycle of a typical biotechnology product from discovery to research and development to production and applications. In this model undergraduates are exposed to research experiences early during their sophomore or junior year as compared to the traditional model where undergraduates work under the guidance of a mentor. If you would like to review or pilot test these modules, please e-mail us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Qualified reviewers will be paid a small honorarium.

Funding of over a million dollars for curriculum development and related equipment has been provided by NSF and the Texas Workforce Commission.

 

Research Programs

We are developing freely available learning modules for labs in biotechnology.
  • Natural Diversity of Phosphotriesterases:
    Exploiting Nature for Organophosphorous Remediation
    • Read more...
We are also developing an electronic lab notebook (ELN) to better prepare our students with state-of-the-art technologies.
See prototype....

CLiST

The Biotechnology program at the University of Houston is connected to the Center for Life Sciences Technology (CLiST) through the sharing of materials and personnel. The CLiST portal contains information about jobs, educational resources and industry news for biotechnology, especially as it related to the state of Texas.