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I. RESEARCH PROGRAMS
The programs promoted by BIOALIMENT derive from the national strategies of research-development-innovation related with the thematic priority Food, Agriculture and Biotechnologies within The EU’s Seventh Framework Program for Research and Technological Development 2007-2013 and other international programs. The first mentioned ones are:
Cell and tissue culture biotechnology |
Isolation and screening of microorganisms used in industrial biotechnology The study of extremophilic microorganisms Plant cell and tissue cultures Modern strategies for preservation, management and commercial aspects regarding culture collection Production and quality control for starter cultures Improvement of biotechnological performances through genetic engineering |
Enzyme biotechnology |
Isolation and screening of microorganisms used in industrial biotechnology The study of extremophilic microorganisms Plant cell and tissue cultures Modern strategies for preservation, management and commercial aspects regarding culture collection Production and quality control for starter cultures Improvement of biotechnological performances through genetic engineering |
Pigments biotechnology |
Isolation and screening of pigment microbial producers used as food additives Study of biotechnological parameters for natural dyes’ obtaining using microorganisms and cell culture Fermentative processes modeling and control for pigments’ biosynthesis Development of lab and pilot scale biotechnologies for natural food dyes’ production (carotenoids, xanthophylls, flavonoids, anthocyans etc) Pigments extraction, characterization, and the study of their chromatic and functional properties Studies regarding natural pigments’ stability and behavior in food systems and consumption models Studies regarding natural pigments’ encapsulation for their chromatic and functional properties preservation |
Biotechnology for biopreservatives |
Screening for active antimicrobial metabolites producers, lactic bacteria, propionic bacteria, killer yeasts, and biopreservatives from plant cells Fermentative processes’ modeling and control Development of lab and pilot scale biotechnologies for biopreservatives production Separation and purification of metabolites with antimicrobial effect Antimicrobial effects testing for a better preservation of food and for the improvement of food safety |
Functional foods |
Probiotic dairy products Prebiotic products derived germinated grains |
Food safety and biotechnology |
Unconventional techniques for food stabilization |
Environmental biotechnology |
Agricultural and industrial waste bioconversion Bioremediation Biosorbtion of xenobiotic compounds |
Bioprocesses modeling |
Bioprocesses’ monitoring and control Bioprocesses’ mathematic modeling |
II. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Four categories of educational programs run within the platform:
- Research initiation Programs
- Masters Programs
- PhD Programs
- Postdoctoral Programs
- Short term educational Programs
The Masters and PhD educational programs provide the student the following skills
- Competence enhancement in biosciences.
- Expanding the students’ area of interest by including some complementary courses in the curricula.
- Creating a new perspective point of view on biotechnology.
- Developing new abilities regarding interpersonal communication, ingenuity when opening to human resources’ market, ability to fructify the acquired skills.
- Advanced training for research activities, project management, good management of newly created biotechnology oriented companies (startup companies).
- Developing new skills towards the elaboration sand policy implementation of European and International strategies in the field of applied biotechnologies.
Short term educational programs aim
- Skill improvement and refining of the technical staff from food industry enterprises through training courses;
- BioAliment is considered as a forming and improvement center which can support the research activities as well as modern manufacture processes;
- A direct approach is the set up of a graduate summer school (various theme courses following the demands) in the area of applied biotechnology, food science and engineering, environment preservation.