Emerging Technologies in Protein and Genomic Material Analysis

Emerging Technologies in Protein and Genomic Material Analysis
Author: Gyorgy Marko-Varga
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 295
Release: 2003-07-02
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0080530842

It is widely recognized that analytical technologies and techniques are playing a pioneering role in a range of today's foremost challenging scientific endeavours, including especially biological and biomedical research. Worthy of mention, for example, are the role that high performance separation techniques played in mapping the human genome and the pioneering work done within mass spectrometry. It is also apparent that state-of-the-art pharmaceutical and biomedical research is the major driving force of the development of new analytical techniques. Advancements in genomics research has provided the opportunity for a call for new drug targets for new technologies, which has speeded up drug discovery and helped to counteract the trend towards inflation of R&D costs.This book has been designed to be a reference covering a wide range of protein and genomic material analysis techniques. Emerging developments are presented with applications where relevant, and biological examples are included. It was developed to meet the ever growing need for a comprehensive and balanced text on an analytical technique which has generated a tremendous amount of interest in recent years.In addition, this book also serves as a modern textbook for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in various disciplines including chemistry, biology and pharmacy.Authors of the individual chapters are recognized champions of their individual research disciplines and also represent contemporary major research centres in this field.·Contains state-of-the-art knowledge of the field and detailed descriptions of new technologies·Provides examples of relevant applications and case studies·Contributing authors are leading scientists in their own respective research fields

Evolution of Translational Omics

Evolution of Translational Omics
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 354
Release: 2012-09-13
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309224187

Technologies collectively called omics enable simultaneous measurement of an enormous number of biomolecules; for example, genomics investigates thousands of DNA sequences, and proteomics examines large numbers of proteins. Scientists are using these technologies to develop innovative tests to detect disease and to predict a patient's likelihood of responding to specific drugs. Following a recent case involving premature use of omics-based tests in cancer clinical trials at Duke University, the NCI requested that the IOM establish a committee to recommend ways to strengthen omics-based test development and evaluation. This report identifies best practices to enhance development, evaluation, and translation of omics-based tests while simultaneously reinforcing steps to ensure that these tests are appropriately assessed for scientific validity before they are used to guide patient treatment in clinical trials.

Applications of Toxicogenomic Technologies to Predictive Toxicology and Risk Assessment

Applications of Toxicogenomic Technologies to Predictive Toxicology and Risk Assessment
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 300
Release: 2007-12-19
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309112982

The new field of toxicogenomics presents a potentially powerful set of tools to better understand the health effects of exposures to toxicants in the environment. At the request of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the National Research Council assembled a committee to identify the benefits of toxicogenomics, the challenges to achieving them, and potential approaches to overcoming such challenges. The report concludes that realizing the potential of toxicogenomics to improve public health decisions will require a concerted effort to generate data, make use of existing data, and study data in new waysâ€"an effort requiring funding, interagency coordination, and data management strategies.

Genetically Engineered Crops

Genetically Engineered Crops
Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 607
Release: 2017-01-28
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309437385

Genetically engineered (GE) crops were first introduced commercially in the 1990s. After two decades of production, some groups and individuals remain critical of the technology based on their concerns about possible adverse effects on human health, the environment, and ethical considerations. At the same time, others are concerned that the technology is not reaching its potential to improve human health and the environment because of stringent regulations and reduced public funding to develop products offering more benefits to society. While the debate about these and other questions related to the genetic engineering techniques of the first 20 years goes on, emerging genetic-engineering technologies are adding new complexities to the conversation. Genetically Engineered Crops builds on previous related Academies reports published between 1987 and 2010 by undertaking a retrospective examination of the purported positive and adverse effects of GE crops and to anticipate what emerging genetic-engineering technologies hold for the future. This report indicates where there are uncertainties about the economic, agronomic, health, safety, or other impacts of GE crops and food, and makes recommendations to fill gaps in safety assessments, increase regulatory clarity, and improve innovations in and access to GE technology.

Opportunities in Biology

Opportunities in Biology
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies
Total Pages: 471
Release: 1989-01-01
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309039274

Biology has entered an era in which interdisciplinary cooperation is at an all-time high, practical applications follow basic discoveries more quickly than ever before, and new technologiesâ€"recombinant DNA, scanning tunneling microscopes, and moreâ€"are revolutionizing the way science is conducted. The potential for scientific breakthroughs with significant implications for society has never been greater. Opportunities in Biology reports on the state of the new biology, taking a detailed look at the disciplines of biology; examining the advances made in medicine, agriculture, and other fields; and pointing out promising research opportunities. Authored by an expert panel representing a variety of viewpoints, this volume also offers recommendations on how to meet the infrastructure needsâ€"for funding, effective information systems, and other supportâ€"of future biology research. Exploring what has been accomplished and what is on the horizon, Opportunities in Biology is an indispensable resource for students, teachers, and researchers in all subdisciplines of biology as well as for research administrators and those in funding agencies.

Reaping the Benefits of Genomic and Proteomic Research

Reaping the Benefits of Genomic and Proteomic Research
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 189
Release: 2006-04-09
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309100674

The patenting and licensing of human genetic material and proteins represents an extension of intellectual property (IP) rights to naturally occurring biological material and scientific information, much of it well upstream of drugs and other disease therapies. This report concludes that IP restrictions rarely impose significant burdens on biomedical research, but there are reasons to be apprehensive about their future impact on scientific advances in this area. The report recommends 13 actions that policy-makers, courts, universities, and health and patent officials should take to prevent the increasingly complex web of IP protections from getting in the way of potential breakthroughs in genomic and proteomic research. It endorses the National Institutes of Health guidelines for technology licensing, data sharing, and research material exchanges and says that oversight of compliance should be strengthened. It recommends enactment of a statutory exception from infringement liability for research on a patented invention and raising the bar somewhat to qualify for a patent on upstream research discoveries in biotechnology. With respect to genetic diagnostic tests to detect patient mutations associated with certain diseases, the report urges patent holders to allow others to perform the tests for purposes of verifying the results.

Functional Properties Of Bio-inspired Surfaces: Characterization And Technological Applications

Functional Properties Of Bio-inspired Surfaces: Characterization And Technological Applications
Author: Eduardo A Favret
Publisher: World Scientific
Total Pages: 413
Release: 2009-12-28
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9814469246

Many good books have been written recently on this new field called biomimetics or bionics, but few exploring simultaneously the characterization and technological processes to produce man-made surfaces with similar properties as the biological ones. Bio-inspired surface structures offer significant commercial potential for the creation of antireflective, self-cleaning and drag reducing surfaces, as well as new types of adhesive systems. This review volume explores how the current knowledge of the biological structures occurring on the surface of moth eyes, leaves, sharkskin, and the feet of reptiles can be transferred to functional technological materials. It analyses how such surfaces can be described and characterized using microscopic techniques and thus reproduced. It also encompasses the important areas of current surface replication techniques and the associated acquisition of good master structures.The book is divided in three sections: an introduction of the skin functions and four functional properties of biological surfaces; physical, chemical and microscopy techniques for describing and characterizing the surfaces; and replication techniques for modifying non-natural surfaces.

Mapping and Sequencing the Human Genome

Mapping and Sequencing the Human Genome
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 128
Release: 1988-01-01
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309038405

There is growing enthusiasm in the scientific community about the prospect of mapping and sequencing the human genome, a monumental project that will have far-reaching consequences for medicine, biology, technology, and other fields. But how will such an effort be organized and funded? How will we develop the new technologies that are needed? What new legal, social, and ethical questions will be raised? Mapping and Sequencing the Human Genome is a blueprint for this proposed project. The authors offer a highly readable explanation of the technical aspects of genetic mapping and sequencing, and they recommend specific interim and long-range research goals, organizational strategies, and funding levels. They also outline some of the legal and social questions that might arise and urge their early consideration by policymakers.

Review of the Department of Energy's Genomics: GTL Program

Review of the Department of Energy's Genomics: GTL Program
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 102
Release: 2006-04-19
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309180716

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) promotes scientific and technological innovation to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States. Recognizing the potential of microorganisms to offer new energy alternatives and remediate environmental contamination, DOE initiated the Genomes to Life program, now called Genomics: GTL, in 2000. The program aims to develop a predictive understanding of microbial systems that can be used to engineer systems for bioenergy production and environmental remediation, and to understand carbon cycling and sequestration. This report provides an evaluation of the program and its infrastructure plan. Overall, the report finds that GTL's research has resulted in and promises to deliver many more scientific advancements that contribute to the achievement of DOE's goals. However, the DOE's current plan for building four independent facilities for protein production, molecular imaging, proteome analysis, and systems biology sequentially may not be the most cost-effective, efficient, and scientifically optimal way to provide this infrastructure. As an alternative, the report suggests constructing up to four institute-like facilities, each of which integrates the capabilities of all four of the originally planned facility types and focuses on one or two of DOE's mission goals. The alternative infrastructure plan could have an especially high ratio of scientific benefit to cost because the need for technology will be directly tied to the biology goals of the program.