Biotech in the Household

Biotech has changed considerably from the historical uses in agriculture and food science, mainly due to molecular techniques. However, gene technology applied to traditional processes, like winemaking, allows more control over the outcome.

• Explore the Diversity
• Agricultural Biotechnology
• Enzyme Products in Everyday Life
• Food Biotechnology

Biotech/Biomedical

Types of RNA
Lots of new research is being done using miRNA and siRNA, as small molecule treatments for various diseases. As a result, these small RNA pieces have become very popular topics in biotech, but for those of you who aren’t all that familiar with the nucleic acids, there are three major types of RNA within cells. The micro/si RNAs come from one of them, called messenger RNA (mRNA). Here’s the lowdown on the three types of larger RNA particles:

mRNA – are the direct product of transcription from DNA. Resulting mRNA sequences contain the codes, and are the template, for production of proteins in our cells.
rRNA – Ribosomal RNA come in various sizes that, combined, form complexes that promote translation of mRNA sequences to make proteins.

tRNA – Transfer RNA are small hairpin-shaped particles that carry around an amino acid at one end and have the anti-codon to an mRNA codon, at the other end. Individual tRNA bind to mRNA one at a time along the strand and, with the help of rRNA, ‘transfer’ their amino acid to the growing peptide chain.

For more information, please visit: about.com

US Universities for Masters in Biotechnology

• University of Wisconsin – Madision – M.S. Biotechnology
• California State University – Channel Islands – M.S. biotechnology and Bioinformatics, M.S. Biotechnology and MBA Dual Degree
• University of Maryland University College – M.S. Biotechnology ( No GRE Required)
• Georgetown University – M.S. Biotechnology, M.S. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (GRE Not Required)
• Northeastern University – PSM Biotechnology
• Indiana University School of Medicine – M.S. Biotechnology – GRE Scores Not required
• John Hopkins University – M.S. Biotechnology/MBA
• University of Rhode Island – M.S. Clinical Laboratory Science GRE Not Required ( Biotechnology, Cytopathology, Clinical Laboratory Science). M.S., PhD Cell and Molecular Biology tracks (Biochemistry, Microbiology, Molecular Genetics) GRE Required
• University of Florida – M.S./MBA Biotechnology
• University of Texas at Dallas – Masters in Biotechnology ( Molecular and Cell Biology )
• Marywood University – Masters in Biotechnology, PSM program (GRE Not required)
• University of Central Florida – M.S. Biotechnology – GRE Scores Required
• Roosevelt University –  is a special health plan for the non US citizens visiting the US. M.S. in Biotechnology and Chemical Science
• University of the Sciences in Philadelphia – M.S. Cell Biology and Biotechnology – GRE Scores Not Required
• East Carolina State University – M.S. Cell Biology and Biotechnology – GRE Scores Required
• Texas Tech University – M.S. biotechnology – GRE 1100+
• University of Buffalo – State University of New york – Masters in Biotechnology
• Polytechnic University of New York – M.S. Biotechnology
• University of Houston at Clear Lake – M.S. biotechnology (Molecular Biology, Cell Biology)

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What is genomics and post genomics?

Genomics encompasses everything from sequencing genomes, ascribing functions to genes, and studying the structure of genes (gene architecture).

Post-genomics takes these techniques further,  studying patterns in how genes are transcribed into messenger RNA, the chemical that carries the instructions for forming proteins (transcriptomics), in the way genes are expressed as proteins (proteomics), and in how they influence the chemicals that control our cellular biochemistry and metabolism (metabolomics).

By studying an individual’s entire genome, we can see which genes are active at particular times and under different environmental conditions, and see how these affect outward characteristics.

The United States is a major center for genomics research and development, which means many professionals from overseas study and work in genomics in America. Exchange students and visiting professionals should be equipped with health coverage and find out the insurance requirements beforehand.

For more information, please visit the National Human Genome Research Institute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention genomics page.

For more information, Please visit: nerc.ac.uk

Overview of Genetics

Genetic research reveals to researchers everything about DNA, Gene’s, Chromosomes, Protein’s, hereditary diseases and more. Understanding the inner workings, mechanisms and diseases in all living beings are possible through research and genetic advancements.
What is DNA?
DNA is actually a molecule which encodes genetic instruction that is necessary in the functioning and developing of living organisms and viruses. DNA, Proteins and RNA are macromolecules that are essential in all life forms. A DNA molecule consists of two polymers and stores biological information. Within a cell the DNA has structures which are chromosomes and cell division cause chromosomes to duplicate during a DNA replication and each cell will then have its own set of chromosomes.
What is Chromosomes?
Chromosomes are the organized building of protein and DNA found in a cell. Coiled DNA that contains a lot of genes, nucleotide sequences and regulatory elements in a single piece is another description that may be used. DNA-bound protein’s controlling the functions and pack the DNA are also inside a chromosome. A Chromosome can vary between different organisms. A DNA molecule can be linear or circular and composed of 10,000 up to 1,000,000,000 nucleotides in a chain.
What is a Gene?
Genes are distinct portions of cell’s DNA. They are the coded instructions to produce things a body need such as proteins. Genetic research discovered the abilities and capabilities of different genes as well as distinguished that some genes are associated with specific diseases for example, Huntington’s disease and cystic fibrosis.
What is a Protein?
Proteins are the chemical building of amino acids in a chain and the amount of amino acids inside protein can vary from only a handful, to thousands. Proteins are as most people know very important in the growing ability, energy production and digestion inside a body.

Understanding Human Diseases through Genetic Research

Genetic research reports findings of molecular interactions, mutations and genes to understand human disease. A lot of diseases, including cancer, psychiatric illness and cardiovascular diseases arise from interactions between environmental encounters and genetics. Genetic advancements are made by scientists in regards to cancer and breast cancer specifically through research from concept to clinical stages. Advancements are made in the Epigenetics and Chromatin in Cancer and cancer vulnerabilities.
Genetic Disorders are identified in four types, which are Single-gene or monogenic, multifactorial, mitochondrial and chromosomal.
Single-gene disorders are caused by mutations occurring in a gene’s DNA sequence. Genetic research shows that there are over six thousand single-gene disorders and samples are hereditary hemochromatosis, Huntington’s disease, Marfan syndrome, sickle cell anemia and cystic fibrosis.
Multifactorial or complex disorders are a combination of multiple gene mutations and environmental factors. Chronic examples are Alzheimer’s disease, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, cancer, diabetes and arthritis.
Mitochondrial is quite rare and caused by no chromosomal DNA mutations of mitochondria.
Chromosomal a combination of protein and DNA chromosomes develop abnormalities.
Genetic advancements allows for consumers to do their own genetic testing. The tests range from drug responses, disease risk, tests of ancestry and more. With genetic research so complex a field, consumers looking for a genetic testing company and product they can trust can be a daunting experience.
Looking for the right company, take into consideration its legitimacy through consumer watchdogs and reviews. The chosen company must allow downloading of raw genotypes after testing. Direct genetic research tests to consumers should be treated as informative and not diagnostically and if any doubt arise result must be followed up with experts.
A reputable company will provide a result print-out, which can be examined and if necessary presented to clinicians as general doctors may find complex information from a genome scan difficult.