MAB Vocab Terms

Gene cloning - the production of multiple identical copies of a gene-carrying piece of DNA

model organisms - organisms studied by many different researchers so they can compare their results and determine scientific principles that apply more broadly to other species

Human Genome Project - An international collaborative effort to map and sequence the DNA of the entire human genome.

CRISPR-Cas - a technique that inactivates or alters the production of proteins by editing genetic sequences into DNA

biotechnology - The manipulation of living organisms or their components to produce useful products.

recombinant DNA - DNA produced by combining DNA from different sources

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

Gene therapy - The insertion of working copies of a gene into the cells of a person with a genetic disorder in an attempt to correct the disorder

bioinformatics - application of mathematics and computer science to store, retrieve, and analyze biological data

recombinant proteins - Proteins that can result from the expression of recombinant DNA within living cells

antibiotics - substances produced by living organisms that have antimicrobial effects

genetic engineering - the artificial manipulation, modification, and recombination of DNA or other nucleic acid molecules to modify an organism

medical biotechnology - application of biotechnology tools for producing medical products that can be used for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of disease

stem cells - undifferentiated or partially differentiated cells that can differentiate into various types of cells and proliferate indefinitely to produce more of the same cell

animal biotechnology - molecular biology techniques are used to genetically engineer (i.e. modify the genome of) animals in order to improve their suitability for pharmaceutical, agricultural or industrial applications.

Forensic Biotechnology - application of genetics, cell and molecular biology, and chemistry to link a person(s), whether suspect or victim, to a place, an object(s), or another person. Such linkages can be used to further investigations for both criminal and civil cases.

aquatic biotechnology - application of science and engineering for the direct or indirect use of marine organisms or parts or products of living marine organisms in their natural or modified forms

bioremediation - the use of either naturally occurring or deliberately introduced microorganisms or other forms of life to consume and break down environmental pollutants, in order to clean up a polluted site.

agricultural biotechnology - range of tools, including traditional breeding techniques, that alter living organisms, or parts of organisms, to make or modify products; improve plants or animals

Gene editing - DNA is inserted, deleted, modified or replaced in the genome of a living organism

microbial biotechnology - methods and strategies for the production and use of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms (e.g. yeasts, fungi, algae) and archaea for substance synthesis and the use of the microorganisms or their substances in applications in the industry and pharmaceuticals

DNA Fingerprinting - a laboratory technique used to determine the probable identity of a person based on the nucleotide sequences of certain regions of human DNA that are unique to individuals

Gene Knockout - involves the targeted removal or inactivation of a specific gene within an organism's genome which allow researchers to study the function of a specific gene in vivo

transgenic animal - an organism or cell whose genome has been altered by the introduction of one or more foreign DNA sequences

enzymes - proteins that act as biological catalysts

amylase - enzyme that breaks down starch

cellulase - an enzyme that weakens plant cell walls by degrading cellulose