1 The potential of Biotechnology to generate prosperity
Florentina ISRAEL-ROMING
The chapter will provide an introduction in the book's topic and an overview
on how biotech can contribute to create products and services for the growing
global needs and economic prosperity.
2 Doing business in Biotech - European paradigm versus American success
Daniela ZIRRA
Why entrepreneurship in Biotech?
European framework of doing business in the Biotech area
The American perspective on Biotech entrepreneurial process
Key elements of developing entrepreneurship in Biotech - a brief comparative analysis
Reducing the gap between European and American entrepreneurial process in Biotech
3.1 Creating products and services in Plant Biotechnology
Oscar VICENTE
Will be detailed different applications of plant biotechnology which provide opportunities
to entrepreneurs with background knowledge on plant biochemistry and molecular
biology, plant genetics and genomics, or related scientific areas, to create start-up
companies to deliver products or services. Those applications and products/services
will include the following: molecular breeding; genetic fingerprinting (detection of
fraud, analysis of genetic uniformity and contamination of seed lots, establishment
of genetic relationships of germplasm and breeding materials), in vitro culture
(micropropagation of plant material, production of pathogen-free plants using different
techniques); research services (design and development of research projects) in the field
of plant biotechnology; commercial production of secondary metabolites (plants as source
of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, fragrances and cosmetics, flavouring agents or food
protectors; genetically modified plants: use of transgenic plants as 'biofactories' for the
production of recombinant proteins and other compounds with applications in different
industries: pharmaceutical, food, detergents, paints, paper, etc.
3.2 Creating products and services in Environmental Biotechnology
Calina Petruta CORNEA
Phytoremediation of polluted environments - a green alternative
Microbial and vermiremediation - clean-up alternatives
Natural plant protection products ('biopesticides')
Energy production: finding and using novel plant sources and developing new, efficient
processes for the commercial production of biofuels (bioethanol, biodiesel) are
appealing objectives for start-ups, with big business potential.
3.3 Creating products and services in Human and Animal Health Biotechnology
Maurilio SANPAOLESI
Medicinal Biotechnology for Disease Modelling, Clinical Therapy, and Drug
Discovery and Development
State-of-the Art in Adult Stem Cell Biotechnology
State-of-the Art in Embryonic and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Biotechnology
"Organ-in-a Dish" for Disease Modelling, organoids, 3D printing
Microfluidic Enabling Biotechnologies for "Organ-on-chip" Medicinal Exploration
Toxicity Screening and Drug Discovery
Ex Vivo and In Vivo Stem Cell/Gene Therapies
3.4 Creating products and services in Industrial Biotechnology
Carla EMILIANI
Industrial biotechnology is the driving force of sustainable development
Biocatalysis and industrial proc
About the Author:
Florentina Matei received her PhD in Biological Sciences from Osaka Prefecture University (2001), Japan, and another doctoral title in Oenology from UASMV Bucharest, Romania (2003). As researcher she has over 20 years' experience the field of Life Sciences, respectively in applied microbiology, molecular biology oriented to food production and food safety, as well as in biomass production for biofuels. She has published over 80 research articles and study cases in high rated journals, indexed in International Databases and issued 5 patents. Dr. Matei authored or co-authored 12 books, including "Science and Technology of Fruit Wine Production" published by Elsevier-Academic Press. As teacher, she has over 20 years' experience in the topics of general and applied microbiology (industrial, food, pharmaceutical, environmental). She coordinates the faculty network with stakeholders, including biotech business, and is the project manager of a strategic partnership project for higher education called "Supporting Biotechnology Students oriented towards an Entrepreneurial Path. She coordinated other multiple research and educational, national and international projects in FP7, Horizon 2020, Era-Net, ERA-IB, Erasmus+ or AUF programs. Furthermore, Dr. Matei is editorial member of different journals such as Romanian Biotechnological Letters and Scientific Bulletin Series F. Biotechnologies. She was/is also expert-evaluator and monitor in present or former research and educational programs since 2007 (Tempus, SEE-ERA-NET, Horizon 2020, Erasmus+, AUF). She is acting as consultant for the professional association "CBM Biotehgen" providing support in training, research and start-up in the field of biotechnology as well as consultancy to bio-based industry.
Daniela Zirra has yearlong experience in teaching Microeconomics for Business and Finance, Investment Efficiency and Project Management in PhD and postdoctoral studies in Economics, at the Romanian Academy, National Institute of Economic Research. Research directions have been addressed in various areas, such as the labour market, human resource development, and investment. Professor Zirra is project manager or member of project teams in many national and international research projects or grants, including projects dedicated to increase the quality of human resources in entrepreneurship. She has been Director of the Economic Research Centre at the Romanian-American University for more than six years and maintained collaborations with American Professors from De Sales University, Philadelphia in teaching Economics, for many years. Prof. Zirra was visiting professor in European Universities from Denmark, Finland, Portugal, Poland, teaching Economics and Project Management. She authored or co-authored many books and peer-reviewed articles, in the areas of Economics, Investments or Project Management, published in journals or presented at international conferences. She served as Plenary Lecturer at many international and national conferences. Furthermore, Prof. Zirra is editorial board member and reviewer for different international and national journals and conferences. She also worked as consultant or trainer in collaboration with the business environment.
