Department of Biotechnology

COD's Message

Welcome to LCWU Biotechnology!

It is a matter of pride and pleasure for me to introduce the Department of Biotechnology, Lahore College for Women University. The Department was established in 2010 with an objective of imparting quality education in the multidisciplinary field of Biotechnology at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Our Department is located in close proximity to other Departments in the natural sciences - Chemistry, physics, statistics and mathematics - the institute of Pharmacy and state-of-the-art shared facilities, making LCWU a rich environment for our students and faculty.  Department of Biotechnology has well-equipped research and computer labs. A Library in the department laden with latest books in order for our students to acquaint themselves with the latest knowledge and research.  Scanning Electron Microscope, XRD, FTIR, GCMS, HPLC and many other resources, are close by.  Our outstanding facilities and beautiful department provide an exceptional environment for teaching and research.

Biotechnology is a major driving force towards a sustainable society. Sustainable production of biofuels, biochemicals, pharmaceuticals, clothes, food and other products is a necessary alternative to current production methods and requires massive education of biotechnologist. Biotechnologist work in all phases of society’s development towards bio based economy. Biochemical and molecular biological tasks include mining of genes, modifying processes, or natural compounds from natural resources as well as design and construction of recombinant cell-factories. Fermentation tasks include design, optimization, and running of fermentation processes. Other tasks include purification and quality control of proteins and biochemical - and most importantly, the invention of new methods to use biotechnology for the benefit of society. All of these tasks require specialized biotechnologist that are educated in a combination of scientific research and industrial application.

Biotech industry is an expanding billion-dollar industry offering a promising future for Biotechnologist whether employed in a large biotech company or starting up small companies as bio-entrepreneurs. Through the programme, you will build upon your fundamental knowledge of biochemistry, protein and enzymology, microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, proteomics and fermentation process technology. You will learn to apply this knowledge on biotechnological problems, ranging from basic research issues to the development of new cell factories and the study of their performance in bioreactors. You will acquire the relevant competencies for collecting and analysing wide-ranging types of data using statistics, bioinformatics, and mathematical models.

Some of our research groups focus on Health and Agricultural Biotechnology, while others explore open questions with Microbial Biotechnology, Industrial Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Bio-Nanotechnology, Genomics and Proteomics, Molecular Diagnostics and Virology.  We are dedicated to developing the next generation of scholars in biotechnology and building an inclusive learning environment.

Dr. Mehwish Iqtedar
Chairperson
Department of Biotechnology
LCWU