Education and training for industrial biotechnology and engineering biology

Industrial biotechnology is focused on the production of bio-based fuels, chemicals and materials such as plastics and textiles. Engineering biology, synonymous with synthetic biology, provides a platform technology that brings an engineering approach to harnessing biotechnology for industrial production. The two combine within the political construct of the future bioeconomy, in which bio-based gradually replaces fossil-based production. There are many barriers to this future, including technical, political and social aspects. Behind all of these is a need for a new form of workforce not seen before, in which various skills and knowledge bases merge and combine. The required multi- and interdisciplinary skills challenge higher education to get out of the discipline-dominated paradigm. This study examines some of the current and future critical issues and provides some examples of how higher education is rising to the challenge.