Affiliated branch of Biotechnology was created at the Department of Biochemistry of Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University in 2000, in accordance with the agreement about joint scientific-and-training work between Taras Shevchenko KNU and Palladin Institute of Biochemistry of NAS of Ukraine of June, 2000, the order at Taras Shevchenko KNU of June 7, 2000, and by the decision of the Scientific Council of Palladin Institute of Biochemistry of NAS of Ukraine #9 of 06.11.2000 under the support of the Presidium of NAS of Ukraine and Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. The Palladin Institute of Biochemistry of NAS of Ukraine was chosen a headquarter for creating the Affiliated Branch of Biotechnology. Students which are specialized in biotechnology study various “basic” biological disciplines at Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University for the first five semesters, then they mainly continue studying at the Palladin Institute of Biochemistry of NAS of Ukraine. They perform their course theses and graduation theses. Scientific workers of the Institute read-lectures in biotechnology and other disciplines concerning biotechnology, they raise permanently the standards of the lecture materials and introduce new courses of lectures in accordance with the progress of current biology, carry out seminars and practical work, train students to be independent in their scientific work.

Present progress in science and technology cannot be imagined without the newest achievements of molecular biotechnologies and nanobiotechnologies which develop in numerous countries of the world and are of great significance, first of all, for medicine, food industry, agriculture and ecology. Development of modern biotechnologies in Ukraine is exceptionally important for development of high technologies in the country economy. In this connection the main task of the affiliated branch of biotechnology consists in training specialists in biotechnology, raising of their qualification through studying in the magistrates and post-graduate education, selection of young and gifted researchers for the work at the Institute of Biochemistry and other institutions of Ukraine.

S.V. Komissarenko, director of the Institute of Biochemistry and Academician of NAS of Ukraine, is the affiliated branch organizer and chief. Leading scientists and researchers of the Institute of Biochemistry are the affiliated brunch instructors. There are: S. O. Kosterin, Corr. Member of NAS of Ukraine, G.L. Volkov, T.M. Vinogradova, R.P Kuchmerovska, O.G. Minchenko and Yu. M. Parkhomenko, doctors of science in biology; O.V. Gorodnytska, Z. M. Datsenko, N. Yu. Yevdokimova, L. M. Kraznobryzha, V.I. Nazarenko, L. M. Petrun, Z. S. Protasova, O. M. Savchuk, O. I. Yusova, candidates of science in biology; junior scientific worker M. P. Myasnykova, and members of other institutes of NAS of Ukraine, professor L. A. Sirenko, in particular.

In the academic year 2006/2007 the affiliated branch numbers 40 students: 8 students of the 3rd course, 16 of the 4th course, 7 and 9 students of the 5th and 6th courses (magistrates), respectively. In the next academic year it is planned to introduce a special course “Molecular biotechnology”, to organize a laboratory for performing training in molecular biotechnology and a computer class for improving the education efficiency in various sections of biotechnology and molecular biotechnology.

The first graduation of 7 bachelors and 5 specialists took place in the affiliated branch of biotechnology in 2003. In 2004 12 bachelors and 5 specialists graduated from the affiliated branch of biotechnology. Besides, 6 magisters were trained at the affiliate this year. That was the first graduation of magisters, four students graduated from the magistrate with the first-class honours degree; one of them, P.V. Gilchuk, also passed through the postgraduate course. Only bachelors graduated from the affiliate in 2005, most of them continued their training as magisters. In 2006 6 bachelors (with the first-class honours degree) and 11 magisters (seven diploma with the first-class honours degree) will graduate. Five magisters were offered a postgraduate studentship at affiliated branch of biotechnology, one – at the affiliate of molecular biology, and three magisters at the Palladin Institute of Biochemistry of NAS of Ukraine, that evidences for the high level of training of magisters at the affiliated branch of biotechnology.