Biotech Ltd

Blue, green, red, and white: The biotechnology field color code

admin — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Biotechnology includes a wide variety of technologies and many completely diverse applications and products. To further make easily differentiate the biotech field of studies one distinguishes with color codes. The following briefings are all about the different color assignments of colors. Pharmaceutical biotechnology (Red Biotechnology) is a branch of biotechnology that deals distinctively with human health care concern and techniques of treatment in the course of the development of medicines like antibiotics. This field of study can also engage research on genes through germ line engineering as well as gene treatment in adult patients.

Industrial biotechnology (White biotechnology) is used for industrial applications. Industries integrating organic materials, living organisms, or chemical components of living organisms like enzymes in the course of production. White biotechnology currently includes researches on alternate energy sources, the creation of biomaterials, and manufacturing processes. Agricultural biotechnology (Green Biotechnology) commonly refers the use of genetic science to get a better quality and efficient crops varieties. This is sometimes conducted directly using genetic engineering, and indirectly using selective breeding. Marine biotechnology (Blue biotechnology) includes those activities that consist of the marine resources, either as the source or target of marine biotechnology application. This means everything from gaining a new cancer curing from a deep-sea sponge to developing an inventive buoy system for supervising ocean pollution.

Biotechnology dictionary

admin — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

What exactly is biotechnology and what can a biotechnology dictionary teach me. Many people are probably asking themselves this same question. Biotechnology implements the use of living bacteria into the environment to aid in the manufacture of drugs and other products. It also aids in the production of human hormones and certain antibodies to help locate antigens. To get a better understanding of the terms associated with biotechnology and how it all works, for the good of humankind, a person will need to consult a biotechnology dictionary.

The dictionary is a great resource and a valuable teacher. It helps anyone who is taking a course in this field to get a better grasp the terms and definitions associated with this area of technology. Learning how living matter can be recycled, manufactured, and introduced back into the environment in a different form of matter is quite interesting and educational. It has very detailed information concerning the meaning of each word for instance, who would know without looking in the biotechnology dictionary that Carcinogen is a substance that causes a reduction in cancer.

It is information like this that everyone needs to know whether they are a student sitting in the classroom or a citizen just wanting to know more about his or her body or the environment

Biotechnology names you need to know

admin — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Biotechnology includes a diverse array of fields, of which names you should now. These include the controversial genetic engineering, forensics and bio-energy. The advances in these fields of biotechnology are providing the human race with new and exciting ways to manipulate their surroundings. By reviewing some aspects of these topics you will learn how these are biotechnology names you need to know.
Genetic engineering is controversial because it allows humans to play the role of god. While preferential traits have been exploited through herding techniques and selection in crop growing since the dawn of time, genetic engineering allows us to choose the traits themselves. While the breeders of yesterday may have kept the seeds of the plants that produced more or sexed the animals that produced the most meat, genetic engineer of today can simply insert the gene in one simple procedure, something that used to take hundreds if not thousands of years.
Bio-energy is a growing field. It produces energy from biological processes, instead of relying on oil reserves. Forensics takes advantage of biotechnology by copying a DNA sample from a crime scene to produce evidence.
These are just some of the great biotechnology names you need to know.

Your Child Wants to go Into Biotech?

admin — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If your child has come to you for advice on getting an education in biotechnology, congratulations! They’re already one step ahead of the curve and have a good chance at finding a stable, well-paying job in the future. Here are a few of the tips you should give them when they’re applying to schools:
Decide on a School: There are obvious top runners for biotech degrees but your son or daughter should have a few backups as well. They can find information online with Satellitestarinternet or during school visits – remember that the curriculum isn’t all that matters.
Speak to an Expert: Have your child meet with a biotech professional to talk to them about their educational path. Many biotech workers got there untraditionally so it will be good for them to hear how unimportant their undergrad major really is.
Join Some Clubs: Encourage your child to join clubs at school like the Biology Club. Better yet, have them start their own group which will show initiative and leadership to schools when it’s on their application. They’ll get some real world experience and learn more about working with others.

The historical origins of biotechnology

admin — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

In order to better understand biotechnology, one may want to learn about the historical origins of biotechnology. Biotechnology originated in farms where new techniques were required to grow agriculture. Farmers needed a means of growing enough crops for a large population of people. Growth rate and health of the agriculture that was being grown was greatly considered when deciding on what new techniques should be applied to grow mass-produced agriculture. The fertilizer that was used in crops were closely examined, and soon people realized what agents would work best in growing big, healthy crops. These agents were soon able to be engineered so farmers could use them in agriculture. Biotechnology was also used for working with fermentation. Fermentation was required in order to create things like brewed beer. People examined what catalyst changed different grains into beer. When people learned of the necessary enzymes, they later harnessed them and used them to aid in the process of brewing beer. In the twentieth century, biotechnology was required to make helpful products that we use today. For example, we use oil in order to fuel our automobiles. Through experiments, a catalyst for breaking down crude oil for fuel was discovered. Biofuels like ethanol are also a byproduct of biotechnology.

The origins of biotechnology

admin — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Biotechnology began with zymotechnology, which is concerned with different brewing techniques used to brew beer. However, biotechnology has historically been associated with the concern of foods dealing with problems like malnutrition and famine.
Generic engineering brought biotechnology to the front of science resulting in it being more acceptable to the public and various areas of government concerned with its potential value to society.
Karl Ereky of Hungary was the individual who began using the term biotechnology in 1919 as a way of describing an expertise to convert raw resources into products that are more useful.
Because of learning how fermentation processes could be used, advances in the production of many pharmaceutical medicines such as penicillin and cortisone could be increased.
In the 1960s, biotechnology reached greater expectations when “single-cell protein” was developed. The potential of growing bacteria on oil caught the attention of many people working in the field of science and commerce. The phrase “single-cell protein” came about in 1966 so that it would be more acceptable than calling it bacterial or microbial.
Due to the rise of oil prices in the 1970s, interest in biotechnology began to slow. However, the increase in oil prices did lead to the development of gasohol which is 10 percent alcohol being mixed with gasoline.

Cyborg info

www.biotechltd.com — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 06:18:09 +0000

Recently, I found this interesting article on Wikipedia about real-life cyborgs, and thought that readers might be interested. For the complete article, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyborg:”Generally, the term “cyborg” is used to refer to a human with bionic, or robotic, implants.In current prosthetic applications, the C-Leg system developed by Otto Bock HealthCare is used to replace a human leg that has been amputated because of injury or illness. The use of sensors in the artificial C-Leg aids in walking significantly by attempting to replicate the user’s natural gait, as it would be prior to amputation. Prostheses like the C-Leg and the more advanced iLimb are considered by some to be the first real steps towards the next generation of real-world cyborg applications. Additionally cochlear implants and magnetic implants which provide people with a sense that they would not otherwise have had can additionally be thought of as creating cyborgs.In 2002, under the heading Project Cyborg, a British scientist, Kevin Warwick, had an array of 100 electrodes fired in to his nervous system in order to link his nervous system into the Internet. With this in place he successfully carried out a series of experiments including extending his nervous system over the Internet to control a robotic hand, a loudspeaker and amplifier. This is a form of extended sensory input and the first direct electronic communication between the nervous systems of two humans.In 2004, under the heading Bridging the Island of the Colourblind Project, a British and completely colorblind artist, Neil Harbisson, started wearing an eyeborg on his head in order to hear colors. His prosthetic device was included within his passport photograph which has been claimed to confirm his cyborg status.”

Can we clone a wooly mammothand should we?

www.biotechltd.com — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 12:32:54 +0000

How many of us watched Jurassic Park or its sequel The Lost World and wondered how far away we were from such a visionan amusement park in which dinosaurs and other extinct species lived once again? Considering how many people are trying to replicate similar technology today, the answer is probably more than a few. However, there are issues associated with the technologyand rampaging dinosaurs are only part of the story.In 2009, the Pyrenean Ibex was the first extinct animal to be clonedand in effect, become “un-extinct.” The last Ibex had been killed by a falling tree in 2000, and its tissue samples were frozen in liquid nitrogen. However, the cloned ibex died after seven minutes due to lung defects. This demonstrated the need for pristine DNA when cloning, as even small defects could cause issues. It’s also unlikely that breeding members of the same species could be cloned from a single specimen.It’s not just the “how” that’s an issue, thoughthe “why” must be considered, as well. Many people wonder why we should be spending money on this extravagant technology when there are endangered species still capable of being saved by less drastic means. Preserving habitat and limiting hunting is still the preferred method of preserving endangered species. For extinct animals, we may have to resign them to Hollywood thrillersfor now.

Biotechnology at the movies

www.biotechltd.com — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 15:27:01 +0000

Science-fiction films often present a stilted view of modern technologies, and biotechnology has not escaped cinema’s searching gaze. These films might not stand up to rigorous scientific study, but they do present fascinating questions about current technologies.Jurassic Park (1993): You know it would be on here, so we might as well get it out of the way. As Spielberg’s most financially successful film, it certainly made the right moves cinema-wise. However, it was inaccurate in some of its depictions of dinosaur features (like the featherless and intelligent velociraptors). It’s also unlikely that the dinosaurs could have been cloned from mosquitoes, since a mosquito would have to have had only one species as its food source.Gattaca (1997): The second-best known biotech film, this sci-fi thriller imagines a world in which children can be genetically modified before birth. Those so modified are treated preferentially, even though the law (in the film) forbids this. Molecular biologist Lee M. Silver has said that the film is one “that all geneticists should see if for no other reason than to understand the perception of our trade held by so many of the public-at-large.”The Sixth Day (2000): This schmaltzy action thriller stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as a helicopter pilot who is illegally cloned against his will. Amid much action and explosions, Schwarzenegger discovers some unpleasant truths about his own past. While the film does portray a character with a religious opposition to cloning, it’s not very even-minded in either direction. Overall, this is one movie that’s more fun to watch than it is to think about.

The lasting influence of the Human Genome Project

www.biotechltd.com — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 20:57:02 +0000

Before 1990, it sounded like science fiction. Making a map of the nucleotides in a human genome? The only thing that sounded more impossible than the goal was its applications, whether in treating illnesses like breast cancer and cystic fibrosis or studying the theory of evolution. Yet in 1990, the Human Genome Project became a reality, and ten years later a working draft was released. A “complete” map was released in 2003, but there have been several additions to the research since then.The organization behind the project was the National Human Genome Research Institute (originally the National Center for Human Genome Research), a division of the National Institutes of Health. Originally estimated at 3-billion dollars and founded in conjunction by the NIH and the United States Department of Energy, the project was “biotech” in the truest sense of the word. By the way, the actual cost is now somewhere nearer 10 billion.When the researchers at the HGP first started tackling the genome, they came up with the shortcut of only looking at the sites where variant DNA units were common. Later, the group divided the genome into pieces roughly 150,000 base pairs in length (for comparison, there were approximately 3.3 billion base pairs in the genome) and used a technique known as “shotgun sequencing” to map them.Today, the gene is considered about 92.3 complete, but we don’t currently have the technology to sequence the remaining centromeres and telomeres. The latter are expected to have a profound effect on aging. You can access all currently-sequenced nucleotides at the GenBank, run by the National Center for Biotechnology Information.