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Modern Biotechnology (modern + biotechnology)
Selected AbstractsEthical issues in biotechnologies and international tradeJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 5 2002Joseph H Hulse Natural and physical sciences are based on determinable facts. What is ethical, as distinct from illegal, is largely a matter of opinion. Scientific and industrial activities related to ancient and modern biotechnologies are among the most critically scrutinised for ethical probity by social activists and journalists. The practices and products of biotechnologies should be judged both deontologically , by motivation and intention, and teleologically , by determinable consequence. Bioethical criteria have been proposed by governments, medical practitioners and philosophers for many centuries. During the past decade, various scientifically competent organisations, national and international, have formulated comprehensive protocols by which to determine effectiveness and safety of novel foods, pharmaceuticals and other biologicals, including those derived from genetically modified organisms. Means and opportunities by which to satisfy the health and nutritional needs of impoverished nations and communities differ significantly from those who enjoy greater affluence. It is distinctly unethical for Europeans and North Americans, whose food and health securities are not at risk, to impose their ethical predilections on poorer nations. Equally reprehensible are the diverse tariff and non-tariff barriers to equitable international trade, and acts of biopiracy inflicted upon poorer nations. As a wise Asian sage has observed, the planet's resources and scientific ingenuity are sufficient to satisfy everyone's need, but not everyone's greed. Present and predictable world-wide demand for bioscientists and bioengineers exceeds best estimates of supply. Systematically planned, long-term investments by governments and bioindustries to generate adequate qualified men and women are urgently needed. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry. [source] Bovine fetal microchimerism in normal and embryo transfer pregnancies and its implications for biotechnology applications in cattleBIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL, Issue 4 2007Lauretta Turin Dr. Abstract Fetal cells and DNA have been detected in the maternal circulation during and after pregnancy in a few mammalian species. The incidence of similar microchimerism in cattle could have repercussion for the application of modern biotechnologies such as the transfer of transgenic embryos. To determine if feto-maternal leakage can occur in pregnant cows, we have analyzed maternal blood samples for the presence of fetal DNA during gestation and post-partum periods. Y chromosome-specific DNA was detected in up to 73% of blood samples from naturally mated heifers carrying conventional bull calves and a transgene-specific sequence in up to 50% of recipient cows carrying transgenic fetuses. These findings document for the first time that transplacental leakage of fetal DNA into the maternal circulation can occur in cattle despite the epitheliochorial placenta of ruminants, with potential implications for the utilization of recipient cows in the food chain. [source] Progress in the Study of Molecular Genetic Improvements of Poplar in ChinaJOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 9 2006Shan-Zhi Lin Abstract The poplar is one of the most economically important and intensively studied tree species owing to its wide application in the timber industry and as a model material for the study of woody plants. The natural resource of poplars in China is replete. Over the past 10 years, the application of molecular biological techniques to genetic improvements in poplar species has been widely studied in China. Recent advances in molecular genetic improvements of poplar, including cDNA library construction, gene cloning and identification, genetic engineering, gene expression, genetic linkage map construction, mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL) and molecular-assisted selection, are reviewed in the present paper. In addition, the application of modern biotechnology to molecular improvements in the genetic traits of the poplar and some unsolved problems are discussed. (Managing editor: Li-Hui Zhao) [source] The role of modern biotechnology in developing country agricultureNUTRITION BULLETIN, Issue 1 2002Martin Livermore [source] Biotechnology of the Banana: A Review of Recent ProgressPLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2000G. R. Rout Abstract: A number of biotechnological tools have been developed which could help breeders to evolve new plant types to meet the demand of the food industry in the next century. Available techniques for the transfer of genes could significantly shorten the breeding procedures and overcome some of the agronomic and environmental problems which would otherwise not be possible through conventional methods. In vitro protocols have been standardized to allow commercially viable propagation of desired clones of Musa. An overview of the regeneration of banana by direct and indirect organogenesis, and somatic embryogenesis is presented in this article. In addition, the use of several other biotechnological techniques to enrich the genome of banana, such as selection of somaclonal variants, screening for various useful characteristics, cryopreservation, genetic transformation and molecular genetics are reviewed. In conclusion, the improvement of banana through modern biotechnology should help ensure food security by stabilizing production levels in sustainable cropping systems geared towards meeting domestic and export market demands. [source] Innovative tools for scientific and technological education in italian secondary schools,BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY EDUCATION, Issue 2 2004Annalisa Santucci Abstract This paper describes the project "Biotech a Scuola" ("Biotech at School"), financed by the Italian Ministry of Education within the SeT program (Special Project for Scientific-Technological Education). The project involved the University of Siena, five senior and junior secondary schools in the Siena area, and a private company. Twenty-three teachers from diverse fields and 318 students from 15 classes were involved. The aim of the project was to improve scientific-technological teaching by providing schools with the support and materials necessary to understand some fundamental aspects of biotechnology. With this project we propose a model of close cooperation among various educational sectors with the goal of teaching junior and senior high school students some of the theory and practice of modern biotechnology. [source] Die Geschichte der Kolibakterien.BIOLOGIE IN UNSERER ZEIT (BIUZ), Issue 3 2010Vom Darmbewohner zum Bioreaktor Abstract Das von Theodor Escherich vor 125 Jahren entdeckte E. coli -Bakterium hat wie kein anderes die Entwicklung der molekularbiologischen Forschung und der medizinischen und industriellen Biotechnologie beeinflusst. Vor allem die Eigenschaften des K12-Stammes im Hinblick auf Apathogenität, Kultivierbarkeit und Transformierbarkeit haben E. coli zum "Haustier" der Genetiker und Molekularbiologen gemacht. Die Leichtigkeit, mit der gentechnisch veränderte E. coli hergestellt werden können, ließen dieses Bakterium zum beliebten Produktionsorganismus in der modernen Biotechnologie zur Erzeugung von Medikamenten und Feinchemikalien werden. Als physiologischer Darmbewohner von Menschen und Tieren wird E. coli als Indikatororganismus für fäkale Verunreinigungen von Grund- und Trinkwasser verwendet. Neben seiner mikroökologischen Rolle im Magen-Darm-Trakt kommt ihm in Form von pathogenen Stämmen auch eine Bedeutung als Erreger von Durchfallerkrankungen zu. The history of colibacteria The E. coli bacterium discovered by Theodor Escherich 125 years ago has influenced the development of molecular-biological research and medicinal and industrial biotechnology like no other bacterium. In particular, the characteristics of the K12-strain with respect to apathogenicity, culturability and transformability made E. coli the "workhorse" of geneticists and molecular biologists. The easiness with which genetically modified E. coli can be made let this bacterium become a popular production organism of modern biotechnology for the making of drugs and fine chemicals. As a physiological inhabitant of the intestine of humans and animals, E. coli is used as an indicator organism of faecal pollution of ground and drinking water. Alongside its micro-ecological role in the gastrointestinal tract, the E. coli bacterium, in terms of pathogenic strains, also has significance as a causative agent of diarrhoeal diseases. [source] Chapter 6: Maize with Increased Lysine (Lysine Maize,LY038)COMPREHENSIVE REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND FOOD SAFETY, Issue 1 2008Article first published online: 30 JAN 200 ABSTRACT:, Data and information provided in this case study relate to a crop derived by modern biotechnology, in which a specific nutrient (lysine) has been increased in maize grain.Lysine maize is a feed ingredient with enhanced nutritional characteristics for poultry and swine and provides an alternative to adding supplemental lysine to diets for these animals. Lysine maize is in an advanced state of development; therefore, extensive unpublished data and information are presented to demonstrate that (1) Lysine maize,and the feeds and foods derived from it,are as safe as those derived from conventional maize,and (2) the increased lysine in Lysine maize grain produces the intended nutritional benefit for broiler chickens when compared to a diet containing conventional maize grain and a crystalline lysine supplement. These conclusions are based on a detailed molecular characterization of Lysine maize,a safety assessment of the introduced protein,a safety and nutritional assessment of the LY038 crop,and a comparison of the agronomic and phenotypic properties of maize hybrids with and without the Lysine maize trait. Although Lysine maize is a specialty crop for use in animal feed,its safety for both animals and humans must be demonstrated. Free lysine is significantly increased in Lysine maize by the introduction of the dapA gene (cordapA) from Corynebacterium glutamicum that encodes a form of dihydrodipicolinate synthase (cDHDPS) that is insensitive to lysine feedback inhibition.Analysis of lysine anabolic and catabolic pathways in maize identified 6 metabolites that might change as a consequence of the introduction of cDHDPS insensitive to lysine-feedback inhibition. The results of compositional analysis demonstrated that Lysine maize grain is comparable to conventional maize, with the exception of the intended increase in lysine and a corresponding increase in 2 products of lysine catabolism,saccha-ropine and -aminoadipic acid. Therefore, the safety and/or nutritional implication of these 3 compounds under the conditions of use were the focus of additional assessments and found to not present either a safety or nutritional problem. [source] | ||||||||||