Medical Biotechnologist
function in a professional context:
Medical biotechnologists apply biotechnological knowledge to advance medical science; they participate in the development of innovative drugs, medicines and diagnostic treatments using biotechnological processes, products deriving from cell and tissue engineering, focusing on the needs of patients and their families.
Medical Biotechnologists perform the following functions with high-level responsibility:
- Experimentation and coordination of biomedical research projects, participating particularly in the experimentation of innovative medicines, drugs for advanced treatments in the field of gene therapy, cell therapy and tissue engineering;
- Participation in a multidisciplinary team, planning and defining prevention and diagnosis interventions, managing molecular analysis and biomedical technologies;
- Participation in the evaluation of individually targeted interventions based on genetic tests and genomic drugs;
- Participation in therapeutic approaches focusing particularly on the development and experimentation of innovative biotechnological medicines and systems (including gene therapy and regenerative medicine) applied to human pathology.
- Participation in working groups to draft regulations concerning the technical and scientific aspects of identifying new therapeutic principles, drafting patents and assessing their industrial application in the biomedical field;
- Monitoring of clinical trials or acting as Clinical Research Associate (CRA) in different treatment areas in compliance with the relative procedures;
- Managerial or strategic consulting roles in the biotechnology field, promoting the culture of innovation and technology transfer to the business world.
To gain greater levels of autonomy and responsibility, Medical Biotechnology graduates may acquire further competences through 2nd level professional master's programmes in the field of business management, or may continue their studies to PhD or specialisation school level.
competencies associated to the function:
To perform the above described functions, specific knowledge is required of basic and applied science as well as specific competences in the field of biomedicine and genetic engineering. Graduates must also be able to conduct basic and applied biotechnological research, with specialist practical skills in the health and management fields.
In addition to these competences, graduates must have an inclination for lifelong learning, and possess transversal communication and interpersonal skills, according to the assigned level of autonomy and responsibility, organising and working effectively with all stakeholders (colleagues, other professions, users and patients).
career opportunities:
The main career opportunities in Italy and abroad:
- Public and private research bodies and universities.
- National Health Service and private healthcare facilities
- Biotechnologies industries and services
- Pharmacovigilance bodies
- Food and nutrition industry
- Environmental Prevention agencies
- Supervisory bodies
- Medical examiner
- Diagnostics and Pharmaceutics industry
- Biotech industry
- Notified and certification bodies
- National and international regulatory authorities
- CRA or Clinical Monitor (CM)
- Patents offices
- Technology Transfer companies
- Publishing and scientific communication companies
- Management consulting and/or savings management companies (Venture Capital)
- Charities
- Sector associations (scientific, industrial, patients)
- Institutions (Ministry of Health)
Further studies:
- PhD/doctoral programme
- Specialisation school
- Professional Master's Programmes
- for Clinical Research Associate,CRA: certification in compliance with DM of 15 November 2011;
Having passed the state examination, they may also register with the professional register of biologists (Senior list).
