Building the future biotechnology workforce: A University of Houston model

1969 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rupa S Iyer ◽  
William E Fitzgibbon
Keyword(s):  
Life Science ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Recombinant Dna ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Recombinant Dna Technology ◽  
University Of Houston ◽  
Scientific Disciplines ◽  
Biological Concepts ◽  
Higher Institutions

The field of biotechnology has become more quantitative and interdisciplinary as research in biotechnology continues to grow at a tremendous rate with broader and complex applications in medicine, agriculture, the environment and nanobiotechnology. The tremendous research in recombinant DNA technology has profoundly transformed the way biologists design, perform and analyze experiments. As biological concepts and models become more quantitative, biological research will be increasingly dependent on concepts and methods drawn from other scientific disciplines. Therefore, in order to prepare our undergraduate life science students to be future research scientists, we need to transform undergraduate education. This will require life science majors to develop and reinforce connections between biology and other scientific disciplines so that interdisciplinary thinking and work becomes second nature. With the integration of new technologies in biological research, biology will continue to become more interdisciplinary and will present a challenge for higher institutions that are training future biologists. This paper describes the development of a new undergraduate interdisciplinary research-based biotechnology degree programme offered by University of Houston College of Technology that addresses issues and challenges in biotechnology education.

Biological control of arthropod pests: Traditional and emerging technologies

1988 ◽  
Vol 3 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 63-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjorie A. Hoy
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Genetic Improvement ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Recombinant Dna ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Agricultural Crops ◽  
Practical Application ◽  
Recombinant Dna Technology ◽  
History Of ◽  
Arthropod Pests

AbstractBiological control of arthropod pests has a long history of useful practical application. Parasites, predators, and pathogens have been employed in many cases to control pest arthropods in an efficient, cost-effective, and permanent manner. The traditional tactics used in biological control (classical, augmentation, and conservation) remain vital and valuable tools in the biological control of pests for agricultural crops, range lands, forests, and glasshouses. New technologies offer promise. One emerging technique involves the genetic improvement of natural enemies of arthropods through selection, hybridization, or recombinant DNA technology.

scholarly journals Advances in Translational Nanotechnology: Challenges and Opportunities

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (14) ◽  
pp. 4881
Author(s):  
Shyam S. Mohapatra ◽  
Robert D. Frisina ◽  
Subhra Mohapatra ◽  
Kevin B. Sneed ◽  
Eleni Markoutsa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Research ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Nanoscale Structures ◽  
Size Dependent ◽  
Scientific Disciplines ◽  
The Us ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
International Participation ◽  
Made In

The burgeoning field of nanotechnology aims to create and deploy nanoscale structures, devices, and systems with novel, size-dependent properties and functions. The nanotechnology revolution has sparked radically new technologies and strategies across all scientific disciplines, with nanotechnology now applied to virtually every area of research and development in the US and globally. NanoFlorida was founded to create a forum for scientific exchange, promote networking among nanoscientists, encourage collaborative research efforts across institutions, forge strong industry-academia partnerships in nanoscience, and showcase the contributions of students and trainees in nanotechnology fields. The 2019 NanoFlorida International Conference expanded this vision to emphasize national and international participation, with a focus on advances made in translating nanotechnology. This review highlights notable research in the areas of engineering especially in optics, photonics and plasmonics and electronics; biomedical devices, nano-biotechnology, nanotherapeutics including both experimental nanotherapies and nanovaccines; nano-diagnostics and -theranostics; nano-enabled drug discovery platforms; tissue engineering, bioprinting, and environmental nanotechnology, as well as challenges and directions for future research.

scholarly journals Biotechnology: reality or dream

Genetika ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 34 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 101-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kosana Konstantinov ◽  
Snezana Drinic-Mladenovic ◽  
Goran Drinic
Keyword(s):  
Genetically Modified Organisms ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Recombinant Dna ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Foreign Gene ◽  
Recombinant Dna Technology ◽  
Accurate Identification ◽  
Special Aspect ◽  
Free System ◽  
A Genome

The development of molecular biology and molecular genetics, especially of the recombinant DNA technology enabled improvement of experimental methods that provide manipulation within a cell-free system, such as cell and tissue cultures. Such methods resulted in the development of different new technologies with specific properties in relation to the conventional definitions. According to PERSLEY and lantin (2000) the following components are essential for the contemporary biotechnology: (i) genomics - a molecular characterization of all genes and gene products of an organism (ii) bioinformatics - the assembly of data from genomic analysis into accessible forms; (iii) transformation - the introduction of genes controlling a trait of interest into a genome of a desired organism (micro organisms, plants, animal systems). By the application of cotemporary biotechnology new methods in the field of diagnostic are developed such as rapid and more accurate identification of the presence and absence of genes in the genome of the organism of interest (identification of pathogens prenatal diagnostics, molecular markers assisted breeding for plants, etc). The traits of an organism are determined by its genetic material, i.e. by a molecule of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). watson and crick (1953) were the first scientists to describe the structure of DNA as a double-stranded helix. Higher organisms contain a set of linear DNA molecules - chromosomes and a full set of chromosomes of an organism is a genome. Each genome is divided into a series of functional units, i.e. genes. The traits of an organism depend on genes, but their expression depends not only on genes but also on many other factors, including whether a gene, controlling the trait, expresses, specific cells in which it expresses and specially the mode by which the gene and its product interact with the environment. A special aspect within the application of biotechnology occurs as an interaction of a foreign gene with a genome of an integrated organism. Also application of biotechnology provides transfer of one or several favorable genes from any evolutionary category into other category of an organism and in such a way it is possible to develop genetically modified organisms (GMO) having expressed desired, target traits. A survey of the application of biotechnology in the world and our country is presented in this paper.

Bioweapons and Dual-Use Research of Concern

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 654-666 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nariyoshi Shinomiya ◽  
◽  
Masamichi Minehata ◽  
Malcolm Dando ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Recombinant Dna ◽  
Life Sciences ◽  
Biological Weapons ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
Dual Use ◽  
Recombinant Dna Technology ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Responsibility Of Scientists

The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) strictly prohibits State Parties from developing, producing, stockpiling or otherwise acquiring or retaining microbial and other biological agents that have no justification for peaceful purposes. At the time the convention was concluded, progress in the life sciences received little attention. Recent technological advances, especially in biotechnology, have brought attention, however, to the issue of dual-use research of concern (DURC). Dual-use research is defined as biological research with a legitimate scientific purpose that may, if misused, pose a biological threat to public health and/or national security. The most important and burdensome point of DURC is that we cannot escape the dual-use dilemma existing in all research activities. The DURC concept is an old but in a sense a new issue to be dealt with. Here we focus on the bioweapons and DURC – a subject that has received attention worldwide. In this review, we start with an overview of the historical development of bioweapons and then discuss their prohibition regimes focusing mainly on the BWC framework. Dramatic progress in biotechnology/recombinant DNA technology around the turn of the century brought a new experimental paradigm and affected the direction in which the life sciences should go. The Fink report and Lemon-Relman report have presented potential options for the healthy development of the life sciences. Exploring several important DURC case studies helps in understanding the nature of the dual-use dilemma more deeply. DURC in the area of the life sciences has been expanding broadly and has reached the neurosciences. Synthetic biology has introduced innovative approaches in creating novel living organisms. The convergence of chemistry and biology has become an inevitable stream in the recent development of the life sciences. Under these circumstances, the responsibility of scientists is becoming increasingly important. To deal appropriately with dual-use issues, risks and benefits must first be evaluated fairly and clearly, which makes the development of DURC evaluation methods an urgent issue. Both top-down approaches such as rules for smoothly processing of research, funding policies, and oversight mechanisms, and bottom-up approaches, i.e., researcher-oriented self-governance need to be mutually harmonized so that the life sciences may be applied more securely. The education of life scientists and the importance of outreach to society are also key means to success.

Hemophilia: New Protein Therapeutics

Hematology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 (1) ◽  
pp. 203-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven W. Pipe
Keyword(s):  
Production Efficiency ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Recombinant Dna ◽  
Coagulation Factors ◽  
Recombinant Dna Technology ◽  
Significant Cost ◽  
New Treatment ◽  
Developed World ◽  
New Protein

Abstract Therapeutic advances for patients with hemophilia have resulted in reduced mortality, improved joint outcomes, safety from blood-transmitted pathogens, improved quality of life, and a normalized life span in the developed world. The production of recombinant coagulation factors has increased the worldwide capacity for replacement therapy and facilitated aggressive prophylactic therapy. However, this has come at significant cost, and barriers remain to broad application of prophylaxis. Recombinant DNA technology remains a promising platform to develop novel hemophilia therapeutics with improved functional properties to try to overcome some of these remaining barriers. Bioengineering strategies have produced novel therapeutics with increased production efficiency, increased potency and resistance to inactivation, prolonged plasma half-lives, and reduced immunogenicity. Alternative nonbiologic therapies may lead to new treatment paradigms. The current pipeline of new technologies and products is promising and growing with several agents already advancing from preclinical to clinical trials.

Factors Affecting Customer Switching Behavior towards Hybrid Electrical Vehicles (HEV’s) from a Customer Perspective in Jordan

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 53
Author(s):  
Bushra Mahadin
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Consumer Behaviour ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
International Marketing ◽  
Current Trend ◽  
Switching Behavior ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Customer Switching ◽  
Electrical Vehicles

Purpose-This paper aims to investigate factors that affect customer switching from Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles (ICEV’s) to Hybrid Electrical Vehicles (HEV’s), in Jordan for the period of (2010-2014).Design/methodology/approach-A self-administered survey was hand-delivered to the targeted sample of car users in Jordan. The authors delivered 400 questionnaires to customers, from which 333 were deemed valid for the analysis, corresponding to the percentage of (83.25%) which indicates the validity of the study. Findings- There was no difference in switching behavior between (ICEV’s) and (HEV’s) based on gender in the Jordanian market. Fuel consumption efficiency was the number one variable that supports the switching behavior towards (HEV's), followed by Eco friendliness, lower taxes and technological features. Price and the current trend in the market were the least supporting factors. In addition to that the perception of the battery life of (HEV's), limited choices in the market, lack of information and fear of the relatively new technology were the major hindering factors of choosing an (HEV).Research limitations-Future research needs to investigate other factors that may affect customers’ behavior such as perceived image, trust, and subjective norms. Future research should investigate into the importance of environmental awareness and new technologies, and gender differences in behavior. From an international marketing standpoint, comparative studies between Jordanian and non-Jordanian customers are potential areas of future research for international marketing strategies and cross-cultural consumer behaviour analysis. Practical implications-The paper identifies the determinants of switching behavior. marketers should focus addressing customers concerns in terms of providing enough information and building awareness towards the technology and it's benefits towards the society and the environment.Originality/value-Our study is one of the few in Jordan that investigates the switching behavior towards vehicles technology. Our study is thought to have made a modest contribution to consumer behaviour literature and, specifically, for decision making process. It offers marketers insights into the determinants of switching behavior towards the hybrid vechicle technology and how this contribute to consumers’ decision making process and attitudes to achieve the intended behavioural outcomes

Enzymatic Synthesis of 15N-L-aspartic Acid Using Recombinant Aspartase from Escherichia Coli K12

2008 ◽  
Vol 59 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Iulia Lupan ◽  
Sergiu Chira ◽  
Maria Chiriac ◽  
Nicolae Palibroda ◽  
Octavian Popescu
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Aspartic Acid ◽  
Enzymatic Synthesis ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Recombinant Dna ◽  
Industrial Enzymes ◽  
Recombinant Dna Technology ◽  
Bacterial Fermentation ◽  
Natural Protein ◽  
Novel Method

Amino acids are obtained by bacterial fermentation, extraction from natural protein or enzymatic synthesis from specific substrates. With the introduction of recombinant DNA technology, it has become possible to apply more rational approaches to enzymatic synthesis of amino acids. Aspartase (L-aspartate ammonia-lyase) catalyzes the reversible deamination of L-aspartic acid to yield fumaric acid and ammonia. It is one of the most important industrial enzymes used to produce L-aspartic acid on a large scale. Here we described a novel method for [15N] L-aspartic synthesis from fumarate and ammonia (15NH4Cl) using a recombinant aspartase.

scholarly journals Protein-Engineered Polymers Functionalized with Antimicrobial Peptides for the Development of Active Surfaces

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 5352
Author(s):  
Ana Margarida Pereira ◽  
Diana Gomes ◽  
André da Costa ◽  
Simoni Campos Dias ◽  
Margarida Casal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Activity ◽  
Antimicrobial Peptides ◽  
Recombinant Dna ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Recombinant Dna Technology ◽  
Free Standing ◽  
Microbial Cell Factories ◽  
Cell Factories ◽  
Antimicrobial Materials

Antibacterial resistance is a major worldwide threat due to the increasing number of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria with medical devices being a major source of these infections. This suggests the need for new antimicrobial biomaterial designs able to withstand the increasing pressure of antimicrobial resistance. Recombinant protein polymers (rPPs) are an emerging class of nature-inspired biopolymers with unique chemical, physical and biological properties. These polymers can be functionalized with antimicrobial molecules utilizing recombinant DNA technology and then produced in microbial cell factories. In this work, we report the functionalization of rPBPs based on elastin and silk-elastin with different antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). These polymers were produced in Escherichia coli, successfully purified by employing non-chromatographic processes, and used for the production of free-standing films. The antimicrobial activity of the materials was evaluated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and results showed that the polymers demonstrated antimicrobial activity, pointing out the potential of these biopolymers for the development of new advanced antimicrobial materials.

scholarly journals Phony peach disease: past and present impact on the peach industry in the southeastern U.S.A

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kendall A. Johnson ◽  
Clive H. Bock ◽  
Phillip M. Brannen
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Disease Epidemiology ◽  
Pathogen Diversity ◽  
Foundational Research ◽  
Global Threat ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Phony peach disease (PPD) is caused by the plant pathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa subsp. multiplex (Xfm). Historically, the disease has caused severe yield loss in Georgia and elsewhere in the southeastern United States, with millions of PPD trees being removed from peach orchards over the last century. The disease remains a production constraint, and management options are few. Limited research has been conducted on PPD since the 1980s, but the advent of new technologies offers the opportunity for new, foundational research to form a basis for informed management of PPD in the U.S. Furthermore, considering the global threat of Xylella to many plant species, preventing import of Xfm to other regions, particularly where peach is grown, should be considered an important phytosanitary endeavor. Main topics We review PPD, its history and impact on peach production, and the eradication efforts that were conducted for 42 years. Additionally, we review the current knowledge of the pathogen, Xfm, and how that knowledge relates to our understanding of the peach—Xylella pathosystem, including the epidemiology of the disease and consideration of the vectors. Methods used to detect the pathogen in peach are discussed, and ramifications of detection in relation to management and control of PPD are considered. Control options for PPD are limited. Our current knowledge of the pathogen diversity and disease epidemiology are described, and based on this, some potential areas for future research are also considered. Conclusion There is a lack of recent foundational research on PPD and the associated strain of Xfm. More research is needed to reduce the impact of this pathogen on peach production in the southeastern U.S., and, should it spread internationally, wherever peaches are grown.

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