biotech m2

Describe the major outcome of each phase of a product life cycle: Development/Introduction, Growth, Maturity, Decline.

development/intro: product is created/launched, initial customer awareness, low sales

growth: sales increase and product gains market acceptance → more sales/profit

maturity: sales growth stabilizes/slows → more competition/increase pricing

decline: sales profit decreases, product loses relevance → discontinuation/buy-out

What is the main goal of each of these stages: Research, Development, Production?

Research: discover/validate new concepts

Development: create/refine viable product

Production: efficiently mass produce an item

Where can funding come from for research at universities and in companies?

government grants, investing, venture capital, universities

Why was the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980 important for biotech?

allowed universities/small businesses to gain patent rights over their products with federal funding

How can we differentiate between drugs, biologics and medical devices?

Drugs: chemical compounds used for treatments

Biologics: made by living organisms

Medical devices: instruments used for diagnosis/treatment

Can you simply toss cells into large tanks and assume they will grow just as well as in small volumes?

No, nutrient concentration/environmental factors need to be managed to yield more growth.

What's the difference between preclinical and clinical testing?

Preclinical: lab/animal studies to assess safety

Clinical testing: human trials

What is the earliest known product of biotechnology in human history?

Alcohol

When we use the "colors" of biotech, how are we classifying companies?

we are classifying them by their focus

What color represents the medical sector of biotech?

red

What decisions did the local government make that helped to support a thriving biotech industry?

 supported the industry by providing tax incentives and funding

In 2020, what was the biggest sub sector of biotechnology in the San Diego region (in terms of number of companies and employees)?

biopharmaceutical center (biggest subsector)

Where does San Diego consistently rank in terms of the national biotech hubs?

around the top 5

What is the function of each of these departments: Research, Process Development, Production, Quality Control, Quality Assurance?

Research: Conducts experiments to develop new products.

Process Development: Optimizes production processes for efficiency.

Production: Manufactures the final product.

Quality Control: Tests products to ensure they meet specifications.

Quality Assurance: Ensures processes are followed to maintain quality standards

Does the biotech industry provide employment for non-scientists?  If so, what areas of employment are available?

Yes; administration, marketing/sales, regulation, HR.

Can protocols be changed by individual technicians at a company?

no; they must go through a formal review process

Differentiate between upstream and downstream bioprocessing.

Upstream processing involves the cultivation of cells and production of biological materials, while downstream processing focuses on purification and formulation of the final product.

Do scientific careers in biotech require calculus?  If not, what math is required?

no; statistics/arithmetic

Is the biotech workforce in San Diego projected to grow or contract in the near future?

predicted to grow

How has the local biotech industry been affected by the Great Recession and the Pandemic economic downturns?

The Great Recession and the Pandemic caused temporary slowdowns, but the biotech industry showed resilience and continued to innovate.

Name two national biotech trends that we are also seeing in San Diego.

Personalized medicine and gene therapy.

What are some top technical skills required for scientific roles in biotech?

Data analysis, lab experience, and molecular biology techniques.

What is the top requested software skill by biotech companies in San Diego?

Data analysis software.

What is meant by 21st century skills?

technological literacy

What resources are available to you at MiraCosta for job/internship searches?

JAIN (job & internship network)

What is a resume?

A resume is a concise document summarizing an individual's work experience, education, and skills tailored for job applications.

How does a resume differ from a CV?

A resume is typically a brief summary for job applications, while a CV (curriculum vitae) is more detailed and used primarily in academic settings.

How long will an employer typically look at a resume?

6-7 seconds

Besides the contact information, what are the three main sections of a resume?

experience, education, skills

How should you list experiences on your resume: starting with the most recent, or starting with oldest?

most recent