You are browsing the archive for biotechnology.

by admin

Traditional and Modern Food Biotechnology

June 12, 2010 in biotechnology by admin

With the increase in the global demand for food and food products, scientists all over the world have been probing the possibility of finding a way to increase crop yields, enhance and improve the nutritional value and taste, while protecting the environment by reducing the use of chemicals such as pesticides. This is where biotechnology comes into the picture by providing the required technology to achieve those.

Traditional and Modern Food Biotechnology:

Food biotechnology is not a new concept. It had already been used long before the term itself was coined. For centuries, man has been exploiting biology to make food products such as bread, beer, wine, and cheese. For example, man had already learnt the method of fermenting fruit juices to concoct alcoholic beverages during the period around 6000 BC. Traditionally, the most common form of food biotechnology is the process in which seeds from the highest yielding and best tasting corn are grown each year, resulting in the better yield year after year.

The process of obtaining the best traits in food products became much easier with the introduction of “genetic engineering” and “gene cloning” in modern food biotechnology about two decades ago. Now, by transferring and altering genes, scientists can remove certain genetic characteristics from units and move it into the genetic code of another, to make them more resistant to diseases, richer in vitamins and minerals, etc. Food biotechnology has also made plant breeding safer since single genes can now be transferred without moving thousands, making it possible to identify those defective genes or their proteins which may be harmful or toxic.

In the United States and many parts of the world, crops and food products such as soybeans, corn, cotton, canola, papaya, and squash produced through biotechnology have become significant components of the people’s diet.

What are the Benefits?

Nutrition: Foods that are genetically engineered or produced through food biotechnology are more nutritious because they tend to contain more vitamin and minerals since they are made from a combination of select traits that are considered to be the best.

Safety: Foods from biotechnology are much safer because the possibility of toxin content is almost minimal in comparison to those grown traditionally. This is because any gene containing toxin or suspected to be toxic is removed during transferring and altering of genes.

Better Yield: Food biotechnology seems to increase crop yields by introducing food crops that are more resistant to harsh climates, decreasing the amount of diseased units, and improving the productivity of a particular crop etc. This becomes very practical considering the amount of food in demand, and consumed globally.

Reducing the need for chemical insecticides: Food biotechnology also opens the possibility of producing crops that are naturally or self-resistant to diseases and pests. For example, the gene for a bacterial protein which kills insect pests has successfully been introduced into a range of crops, reducing the need for chemical insecticides. Pest-protected crops also allow for less potential exposure of farmers and groundwater to chemical residues.

Biotechnology HQ http://biotechnology-hq.com/ articles and information about the science of biotechnology.

motorcycles

by admin

Grade 7 Science Fair Project – "Explore the Properties of Carbon Dioxide"

June 7, 2010 in biotechnology by admin

The purpose of this science fair project is to explore the properties of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a gas found in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is made up of one carbon and two oxygen atoms. Often times it is referred to by its formula “CO2″. Plants use carbon dioxide to feed themselves during photosynthesis. In its solid state, carbon dioxide is called dry ice.

In this science fair project you will create carbon dioxide using sugar, molasses, and yeast. You will also create carbon dioxide by fermentation of yeast and sugar. This fermentation will create a carbon dioxide gas that has the ability to inflate a balloon.

Note:

You will need several days to complete this science fair project.

Hypothesis:

The enzymes in yeast cause sugar to convert to alcohol and carbon dioxide gas.

Variables:

Use of yeast with sugar and/or molasses and water

Materials Needed:

  • Two Gallon jugs
  • Beach ball
  • Cork stopper
  • Medicine dropper
  • Balloon
  • Spoon
  • Measuring cup
  • Water
  • Sugar
  • Molasses
  • Yeast

SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT INSTRUCTIONS:

Complete the following steps to create carbon dioxide using sugar,

molasses, and yeast:

Step #1:

Fill the gallon jug with water until it is 3/4 full.

Step #2:

Dump one cup of sugar, two table spoons of molasses, and yeast into the water jug. Mix the solution with a spoon.

Step #3:

Place the medicine dropper into the cork stopper to act as a tube between the water jug and the beach ball. Place the cork stopper into the top of the water jug. Place the water jug in a warm area.

Step #4:

Squeeze the air out of the beach ball until it is completely deflated. Attach the small air opening of the beach ball to the medicine dropper.

Step #5:

Leave the apparatus over night. The ball should be inflate within 24 hours. Carbon dioxide has been created which fills the beach ball with carbon dioxide gas thus inflating it. Record your observations.

Complete the following steps to create carbon dioxide and fill a balloon by fermentation of yeast, sugar, and water:

Step #1:

Fill the empty gallon jug 3/4 full of water. Dump one cup sugar

and yeast into the water jug. Make sure the yeast and sugar dissolves.

Step #2:

Fit the mouth of the deflated balloon over the mouth of the water

jug. Place the water jug in a warm area that is exposed to light. Make sure, however, that the light is not bright.

Step #3:

You will notice that bubbles form in the liquid. The bubbles consist of carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide gas will have enough pressure to slightly inflate the balloon. This fermentation and inflation process will take place over several days. Does the balloon fill completely? Record your observations.

Summary of Results:

We could make carbon dioxide because the yeast plants that grow in our sugar, molasses, and yeast solution convert the sugar to alcohol and carbon dioxide gas. The carbon dioxide is a gas that causes pressure and inflates the beach ball. The carbon dioxide gas should remind you of the bubbles you see in soft drinks.

The fermentation process creates carbon dioxide by converting the sugar to alcohol and carbon dioxide as well. The conversion is possible due to the enzymes in the yeast. The alcohol dissolves in the water. The gas escapes the water and flows into the balloon causing it to inflate.

Anne-Marie Killer is the webmaster of http://fun-science-fair-projects.com where you’ll find complete science fair projects for grade 4 to 9.

biotechnology

by admin

Pharmaceutical Industry in India, Top Pharma Companies and Jobs

June 1, 2010 in biotechnology by admin

Pharmaceutical companies in India are growing at a very fast pace and this has made the Indian pharmaceutical industry as the second largest growing industry. Also the pharmaceutical industry in India is the third largest in the world, which will be of US$20 billion by 2015. Mergers and acquisitions are the part of this growth. The compounded annual growth rate of pharma in India is 12-15% and the global figures are 4-7% for the period of 2008-2013. With such a profound growth of pharmaceutical companies in India numerous pharmaceutical jobs can be seen. This in turn is helping biotechnology industry and booming the biotechnology jobs in India.

Angel Broking has done a research on the growth of pharmaceutical industry and found that by 2015 the pharmaceutical industry in India will be in the top 10 markets. Yet another finding of FICCI-Ernst & Young study reveals that the population of high income group in India is rising which will give rise to more influx of MNCs and expensive drugs.

Pharmaceutical companies along with native companies are also competing with the top MNCs. Such a profound growth is because of the heavy population figures and with the increasing number of middle class people and their income the access to drugs and medicines is also increasing. But still the low-priced generics are popular in Indian pharmaceutical industry.

From India in year 2007-08 total of US$ 8.25 billion were exported and there was seen 29% rise in this figure in 2009. MR Anand Sharma, Union Minister of Commerce said that pharmaceutical sector in India has grown and it is the major contributor to exports from India. In 1990 the amount was meager as compare to today’s massive figures.

Initiatives by Government

  1. Tax breaks are offered to pharma industry
  2. New procedure for the development drugs
  3. Proper clinical procedures
  4. New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative and the Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Research Programme – Two schemes launched by the government.

Some Vital Information on Pharmaceutical Companies in India

  • In terms of volume – India’s pharmaceutical industry is the third largest in the entire world.
  • In terms of value – India’s pharmaceutical industry ranks fourteenth
  • By 2015 – It will be in the list of top 10 global pharmaceutical markets and it will touch US $ 20 billion.
  • 2008-2009 – Saw 29% growth in exports of pharmaceutical drugs as compared to 2007
  • 2013 – Indian formulation market is expected to touch US$ 13.7 billion

Top 10 Pharmaceutical Companies in India

  • Ranbaxy
  • Dr Reddy’s Laboratories
  • Cipla
  • Sun Pharma Industries
  • Lupin Labs
  • Aurobindo Pharma
  • GlaxoSmithKline Pharma
  • Cadila Healthcare
  • Aventis Pharma
  • Ipca Laboratories

R Oberoi is associated with Manpower from India and recommends http://www.manpowerindia.net for searching and finding information on all kinds of jobs.

General contractor industrial goods

by admin

Investing in Biotechnology – Advantages

May 19, 2010 in biotechnology by admin

Benefits of biotechnology to invest

Man has tried for years to find a new care and make a significant advance in medical applications submitted. In recent years, biotechnology has contributed significantly in this field direction.

There were options have been important developments in biotechnology is one of the most profitable investments. Yes, it is the investment as the future of biotechMany investment experts.

Most venture capitalists are now biotechnology companies in a different light. The opportunities for investors to generate impressive growth of revenue, are a major reason why this has happened.

The tendency to spend up to us to make the best health care is another reason. You do not like to compromise when it comes to good health, biotechnology, and became one of the main winners of this principle.

Why Biotech?

There are many small biotech companies that are waiting for this golden opportunity. Some of these companies have demonstrated their skill and charm in a few years of its existence.

With the right investors, these companies can do wonders. Who knows the drug for Alzheimer's or cancer may be just under way in some of these companies.

From a commercial point of view, like a drug, the only factor that will force from rags to riches.

Butinvest> Biotechnology is not easy. This is a task, a number of special abilities, so that the company now requires better place.

Finding the right company to invest

There are many companies that investors do the job in biotechnology investing easier for you.

These companies need to analyze the scientific, medical and financial experts who are more biotech companies are investing in the global consulting company

With onlya clinical study, these analysts help determine what are the future prospects of the company.

Calinia auto insurance quotes Corporate conference calls Auto century insurance