MAB Chapter 1: Introduction to Biotechnology

Genetically Modified Food

Food derived from sources that have been genetically modified (and must be approved) for consumption.

Biotechnology

A broad area of science involving many different disciplines designed to use living organisms or their products to perform valuable industrial or manufacturing processes or applications that will solve problems.

Fermentation

A metabolic process that produces small amounts of ATP from glucose in the absence of oxygen and also creates byproducts such as ethyl alcohol (ethanol) or lactic acid (lactate). Fermenting microbes (bacteria and yeast) are important for producing a variety of beverages and foods, including beer, wine, breads, yogurts, and cheeses.

Selective Breeding

Mating organisms with desired features to produce offspring with the same characteristics.

Model Organism

Nonhuman organisms that scientists use to study biologic processes in experimental laboratory conditions; common examples include mice, rats, fruit flies, worms, and bacteria.

Antibiotic

A substance produced by microorganisms that inhibit the growth of other microorganisms; commonly used to treat bacterial infections in humans, pets, and farm animals.

Batch (large-scale) Processes

Growing microorganisms such as bacteria or yeast and other living cells such as mammalian cells in large quantities for the purpose of isolating useful products in a batch.

Gene Cloning

The process of producing multiple copies of a gene.

Genetic Engineering

The process of altering an organism's DNA. This is usually by design.

Recombinant DNA Technology

Technique that allows DNA to be combined from different sources; also called gene or DNA splicing. Recombinant DNA is an important technique for many gene-cloning applications.

Human Genome Project

An international effort with overall scientific goals of identifying all human genes and determining (mapping) their locations to each human chromosome.

Genomics

the entire complement of an organisms DNA

Recombinant DNA technology

technology that combines genes from different sources into a single DNA molecule

Bioinformatics

Interdisciplinary science that involves developing and applying information technology (computer hardware and software) for analyzing biological data such as DNA and protein sequences; also includes the use of computers for the analysis of molecular structures and creating databases for storing and sharing biological data.

Recombinant Proteins

Commercially valuable proteins created by recombinant DNA technology and gene-cloning techniques; examples include insulin and growth hormone.

Cell Culture

Growing cells in laboratory conditions outside of a whole organism (in vitro); usually a term applied to growing mammalian cells.

Bioreactor

[These] are cell systems that produce biologic molecules.

Insulin

first biotech product created through recombinant DNA by Genentech

Gene Therapy

The use of therapeutic genes to treat or cure a disease process; also refers to the delivery of genes to improve a person's health.

Transgenic Animals

Animals that contain genes from another source. For instance, human genes for clotting proteins can be introduced into cowsfor the production of these proteins in their milk.

locations of majority of biotech companies in USA

east and west coasts

DNA Fingerprinting

An analysis of an organism's unique DNA composition as a characteristic marker or fingerprint for identification purposes, such as forensic analysis, remains identification, and paternity. DNA fingerprinting is also used in biologic research (for example, to compare related species based on the DNA sequences).

Bioremediation

The use of living organisms to detoxify and restore polluted and degraded ecosystems

Aquaculture

Farming finfish, shellfish, or plants for commercial or recreational uses.

Aquatic Biotechnology

Use of aquatic organisms such as finfish, shellfish, marine bacteria, and aquatic plants for biotechnology applications

Medical Biotechnology

A diverse discipline of biotechnology dedicated to improving human health; includes a spectrum of topics in human medicine from disease diagnosis to drug discovery, disease treatment, and tissue engineering.

Regulatory Affairs

department compiles the clinical research information and submits it to the drug regulatory authorities so the company can get authorization to market the product.

Clinical Research

department that oversees a strict series of tests that evaluates the effectiveness and safety of a medical treatment in humans

Stem Cells

Immature (undifferentiated) cells that are capable of forming all mature cell types in animals and that can be derived from embryos at several days age or from adult tissues.

Quality Assurance (QA)

All activities involved in regulating the final quality of a product, including quality-control measures.

Quality Control (QC)

Procedures that are part of the QA process involving laboratory testing and monitoring of production processes to ensure consistent product standards (of purity, performance, and the like).

Proteome

The entire complement of proteins in an organism.

CRISPR/Cas9

a unique technology that enables geneticists and medical researchers to edit parts of the genome by removing, adding or altering sections of the DNA sequence

precision medicine

an approach to disease treatment and prevention that accounts for individual variation in genes and environment

Modern Biotechnology

various scientific techniques used to produce specific desired traits in plants, animals or microorganisms through the use of genetic knowledge.

Historical biotechnology

using microorganisms to make bread, beer, penicillin; selective breeding of livestock and crops

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs)

Single-nucleotide variations in the gene sequence, or a type of DNA mutation; the basis of genetic variation among humans.

Mutation

A change in the DNA structure or sequence of a gene.

Pharmacogenomics

A form of customized medicine in which disease-treatment strategies are designed based on a person's genetic information (for a particular health condition). Personalized medicine

Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs)

Cells typically derived from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst; cells can undergo differentiation to form all cell types in the body.

Nanotechnology

the branch of engineering that deals with things smaller than 100 nanometers (especially with the manipulation of individual molecules) used for drug delivery or biosensors

Adult-Derived Stem Cells (ASCs)

Stem cells derived from tissues of an adult, as opposed to embryonic stem cells, which are derived from a blastocyst; can differentiate to produce other cell types but not all types.

Regenerative Medicine

A discipline of medical biotechnology that involves repairing or replacing damaged tissues and organs by using tissues and organs grown through biotechnological approaches.

Research and Development (R&D)

All of the processes involved in basic research (for example, pre-clinical research) and development of a potential product. The lifeblood of a biotechnology company, [this] is how companies identify new technologies, drugs, etc. for commercialization.

Pharmaceutical Companies

Companies creating drugs based on chemicals (not living organisms) for the treatment of human health conditions.

Startup Company

Formed by a small team of scientists who believe they may have a promising product to make (such as a recombinant protein to treat disease). The team must typically then seek investors to fund their company so they can buy or rent laboratory facilities, buy equipment and supplies, and continue the research and development necessary to make their product.

Microbial Biotechnology

The manipulation of microorganisms at the genetic and molecular level to generate useful products.

Animal Biotechnology

the application of biotechnology methods to improve animals.

agricultural biotechnology

a collection of scientific techniques, including genetic engineering, that are used to create, improve,or modify plants or animals

Venture Capital (VC) Funds

Funding for an enterprise provided by financiers who see promise in the enterprise and expect a substantial financial benefit for the high risk (or expect to take a loss).

gene knockout

genetic manipulation in which one or more of an organism's genes are prevented from being expressed in order to determine it's function

Angel Investors

individuals who invest in start-up companies with high growth potential in exchange for a share of ownership

Research Assistants (or Research Associates)

Laboratory position in which individuals are primarily involved in carrying out experiments under the supervision of other scientists such as principal or senior scientists.

Principle or Senior Scientists

Science leadership position in biotechnology companies; senior scientists are usually Ph.D. or M.D.- trained individuals who plan and direct the research priorities of a company.

Bioinformaticists

Scientists specializing in the bioinformatics.

Operations/Manufacturing

Primary activitiy consisting of transforming inputs into the final products

information technology

Any computer-based tool that people use to work with information & support the information-processing needs of an organization.

Sales Representatives

Salespersons in biotechnology companies; sales representatives are "people persons" who work closely with medical doctors, hospitals, and health care providers to promote a company's products.

BRCA1 and BRCA2

breast cancer 1 and 2 - genetic mutations associated with increased risk for breast cancer

transgenic animals

Animals that contain genes transferred from other animals, usually from a different species, human proteins can be produced in milk

Marketing Specialist

Marketing and sales position in biotechnology companies; [these people] are often involved in designing ad campaigns and promotional materials to market effectively a company's products.

Finance Divisions

Unit responsible for overseeing company finances, business, legal matters

Legal Specialists

In biotechnology companies, [these people] typically work on legal issues associated with product development and marketing, such as copyrights, naming rights, and obtaining patents. Staff in this area also address legal circumstances that may arise if problems are found with a product or a litigation from a user of a product.