ISHS Acta Horticulturae 756: International Symposium on Medicinal and Nutraceutical Plants
DEVELOPMENT OF CENTRAL GEORGIA TECHNICAL COLLEGE'S BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRAM |
| Authors: | E.W. Wessinger, C.L. Nipper, J.K. Ogle |
| Keywords: | USA, nanotechnology, associate, degree, bioprocess, molecular, biology |
| Abstract:
"Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) is a member of Georgia's system of technical colleges and an institution of higher education that supports the educational, economic and community development of its seven-county service area. The CGTC accomplishes its mission by providing quality academic and technical education, customized business and industry training, continuing education, and adult education services that are responsive to the workforce needs of citizens, businesses and industries" (CGTC, 2006). The CGTC is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. It is one of the three technical colleges in Georgia (and the only one in the State south of Atlanta) that offers a biotechnology-related associate degree. To address strategic objectives of the State of Georgia, CGTC investigated developing an Associate of Applied Science program in either Biotechnology or Nanotechnology. This was accomplished by investigating employment potential for graduates, and programs at other institutions; the conclusion was to develop a Biotechnology program. To address multiple needs of Georgia’s growing biotechnology sector, including medicinals and nutraceuticals, input from other institutions was used to decide on specific program courses and equipment. Examples of courses included in the program are Organic and Biochemistry, Microbiology, Bioprocessing/Production, Cell Culture, Molecular Biology and Immunology. Equipment will be available for conducting DNA replication, characterization and cellular expression; protein characterization; solid-substrate, suspension/submerged and bioreactor culturing; product separation/purification. Training and research capabilities specific to medicinal plants will include plant-tissue solid-substrate and suspension culturing of explants, and recombinant DNA techniques. The CGTC's biotechnology program was designed to address multiple needs of Georgia's growing biotechnology sector. | |
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