Biotechnology - Chapter 14 - Biotechnology Research and Applications

genomics

the study of all the genes and DNA code of an organism

bioinformatics

the use of computers and databases to analyze and relate large amounts of biological data

shotgun cloning

a method of cloning commonly used during the sequencing of the human genome that involves digesting DNA into 500bp pieces, generating libraries from those fragments and eventually sequencing the libraries

reverse-transcription PCR

the use of reverse transcriptase to produce cDNA from mRNA for use in PCR

real-time PCR

the use of fluorescent probe techniques to measure PCR product as it is being procuced

RNAi

an abbreviation for RNA interference, a type of double-stranded RNA that is chopped into small pieces when engulfed by the cell and binds to an interferes with the cell's native RNA or DNA

siRNA

an abbreviation for short-interferring RNA, a type of single-stranded RNA oligo fragment that is created by scientists to target a gene for silencing

microRNA

the small pieces of RNA that are known to interrup posttranscriptional RNA function by binding to mRNA as soon as it is made

Northern blot

a process in which RNA fragments on a gel are transferred to a positively charged membrane to be probed by labeled cDNA

transcriptome

all of the mRNA in a cell at a given point in time

proteomics

the study of how, when, and where proteins are used in cells

proteome

all of an organism's protein and protein-related material

NMR

an abbreviation for nuclear magnetic resonance

NMR

a technique that measures the spin on nuclei of isotopes in a magnetic field to study physical, chemical, and biological properties of proteins

protein crystallography

a technique that uses x-ray wave diffraction patterns to visualize the positions of atoms in a protein molecule to reveal its three-dimensional structure

x-ray diffraction pattern

a pattern of light intensifies that develops when an x-ray beam is passed through a mounted crystalline structure

salting out

a technique for crystallizing proteins that involves precipitating a sample of pure protein using a stringent salt gradient of sodium chloride, ammonium sulfate, or some other salt

protein arrays

a fusion of technologies where protein samples bound on the glass slide are assessed using antibodies or other recognition material

embryonic stem cells

the unspecialized cells found in developing embryos that have the ability to differentiate into a wide range of specialized cells

adult stem cells

the unspecialized cells found in specialized tissues and organs that keep their ability to divide and differentiate into cells with specific functions

pluripotent

the stem cells that can specialize into any type of tissue

regenerative medicine

the field of medicine that focuses on replacement or restoration of damaged tissues or organs

environmental biotechnology

a field of biotechnology whose applications include monitoring and correcting the health of populations, communities, and ecosystems.

bioterrorism

the use of biological agents to attack humans, plants or animals

biodefense

all the methods used to protect a population from exposure to biological agents

biometric

the measurement and statistical analysis of biological specimens or processes

synthetic biology

the application of biotechnologies to design and construct new biological systems, such as macromolecules, metabolic pathways, cells, tissues or organisms

marine biotechnology

the study and manipulation of marine organisms, their component molecules, cells, tissues, or organs.

nanotechnology

all technologies that operate on a nanometer scale