Digital Micro Imaging For Biotechnology Research

We humans have been harnessing biological processes to make life a little sweeter ever since the first developments in agriculture. Tapping into life's processes to make things such as cheese, bread, and beer (the essentials) has been going on for thousands of years. Now, there is a whole area of digital micro imaging for biotechnology research which encompasses the vast applications of these biological processes.

The field of applied biology called biotechnology uses living organisms and bioprocesses to do truly amazing things. Biotechnology is used in engineering, technology, medicine, and other fields requiring bioproducts. Biotechnology is also used in genetically modified foods, transgenic crops and animals, biopharmaceuticals, recombinant DNA technology, and bioremediation.

Leading companies in micro imaging research are using new technology that allows for the extraction of even the smallest biomaterials from heterogeneous tissue and cell colonies. The secret behind the method is a pure, contact-free optical technique that is gentle enough to facilitate micro dissection and the manipulation of living cells in culture. The best digital microscopes come equipped with the latest in laser technology. This allows for contact-free and contamination-free specimen capture and micro dissection.

Researchers who use digital micro imaging for biotechnology research report a vast increase in workflow speed. The image is displayed using an integrated camera onto a monitor or projection screen. Integrated color management ensures for brilliant images in true color. By bypassing the need for eyepieces, digital micro imaging technology avoids painful muscle tension and eye strain. Something that travels faster than ever in the world today is information. With integrated E-mail function and remote viewing, sharing work and discussing work with partners is easier than ever. Now, researchers can get the work they need to get done faster, wherever they are.

In modern medicine, biotechnology has promising applications in a number of areas. Drug production and pharmaceuticals have both made ready use of biotechnology. Modern methods of manufacturing pharmaceutical products frequently make use of biotechnology. Biotechnology first saw use in pharmaceutical manufacturing with recombinant DNA technology to modify Escherichia coli bacteria. This resulted in the production of human insulin.

Before this technique was discovered, insulin was extracted from the pancreas glands of cattle and pigs. Although animal-derived insulin is mostly effective in treating diabetes, allergic reactions were noted to sometimes occur. This can be accredited to the subtle differences between insulin derived from humans and farm animals.

Genetic researchers were able to produce two genes for each of the two protein chains that comprise the insulin molecule. The genes are then inserted into plasmids among a group of genes that are activated by lactose. The result is two insulin-producing genes activated by lactose. By inserting the recombinant plasmids into Escherichia coli bacteria and combining the two protein chains, the bacteria produces as much as 100,000 molecules of human insulin.

Before recombinant DNA was used to modify bacteria and produce the human growth hormone, the hormone had to be extracted from the pituitary gland of cadavers. Unlike animal derived-insulin, animal growth hormones have no therapeutic upshot for mankind to date. The hormone was constantly seeing significant shortages since it took fifty cadavers to supply a single year's supply of the growth hormone.

Digital micro imaging for biotechnology research is also used in gene therapy, an important process involved in treating cancer. The technology and techniques behind gene therapy are still in developmental stages; however, it has been used with some success for treating or curing genetic and acquired diseases such as cancer and AIDS. Biotechnology has also found use in genetic testing, such as prenatal diagnostic screening. There are many benefits of using this technology to test and learn about a fetus. Presymptomatic testing for a number of different diseases and disorders is possible, and the sex of the future baby can also be determined.

One of the top digital imaging companies providing modalities specifically designed for preclinical research such as scientific digital imaging, in vivo testing micro imaging, in vivo high-resolution imaging,and digital imaging system.

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Popular Biotechnology Books

Are you following the modern trends in the age- old subjects like biology? Modern trends mean applying engineering, technology, genetics and medicine in the study of biology. The whole trend is called bio- technology, giving birth to bio- products or commercial products that are of specific use like manufacturing purposes.

But which are the windows through which you can bring on some more light to study biotechnology? As usual the books are always the most helpful companions in our knowledge- building process on any field. But among so many books which books are going to help the students and scholars the most?

Here are the most required books in applications of biotechnology:

1. Handbook of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology: This handbook is for scholars who are working on pharmaceuticals and applications of biotechnology in discovering and producing drugs. The book written by experienced professionals gives an overview of how to apply biotechnology in drug development process. This book will be of help to various genres of scholars like researchers, molecular biologists, cell biologists and also biochemists. The entire bio-tech industry gets much assistance from this book's approach towards the extensive applications, regulations and validation methods.

2. Molecular Biotechnology: This book (running its fourth edition) is continuously updated and revised to follow the day to day developments in biotechnology with almost 500 illustrations of the key concepts. The book deals extensively with how the scientific principles apply "recombinant DNA technology" in industrial, agricultural, pharmaceutical and biomedical fields. The updated book has special chapters on the most current trends like cloning, gene therapy and genetic engineering. This book is specially authored for students featuring end of chapter review questions to assess their gained knowledge.

3. Fundamental Laboratory Approaches: This is a laboratory textbook for students and scientists in biochemistry and biotechnology. This book trains students how to approach research problems and conduct and evaluate scientific research. Addititionally there is a unique chapter on using the web for your research plus a website that supports the book. Have fun and enjoy your modern research work and experiments.

4. Calculations for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology: This is actually the most perfect laboratory assistant for biotechnology students and technicians. There all basic scientific notations, explanations of key concepts and theories for each type of calculation and the recent applications of the procedures in the research laboratories. In the new edition there is an updated coverage of mathematics to measure gene expression and more sample problems for readers. The simple to follow format will surely solve your most frequently faced problems in gene discovery and analysis.

5. Advanced Technologies in Bio-pharmaceutical Processing: This book describes how advanced biological processes like modification of somatic and embryonic cells are applied to the production of bio-pharmaceuticals. These advanced technologies produce hormones, modified proteins etc. This book is considered as probably the most user- friendly one ranging from large- scale animal cell bio-reactors to patient- customized products.

Source For Biotechnology Books: http://www.printsasia.com/books/Biotechnology

So just follow the trends and bring a revolution in the life sciences industry. Biotechnology will help you a lot to fulfill your dreams.

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The Deception Behind Genetically Modified Foods

Genetically modified organisms have had their DNA altered by genetic engineering called recombinant DNA technology. There are several ways to produce GMO's. Genes can be transferred artificially from one organism to another through a process called cisgenesis or genes can be attached to a virus and artificially introduced from one species to another through a process called transgenesis. This allows plants to become more tolerant to high levels of herbicides and less susceptible to diseases caused by viruses. Through Genetical engineering the toxin Bacillus Thuringiensis has been inserted into corn and other crops so they can produce their own pesticides against insects. Genetically modified foods have been in the market since the 1990's, and there are no laws that require them to be labeled. For some time consumers have been eating GM foods without knowing, and they fear that the same alarming health effects that are being seen in laboratory animals, could in time manifest themselves in people too. Data has shown that animals fed GM foods are exhibiting infertility, developmental problems, organ damage, toxicity and death.

DANGERS OF GMO's.

1. Creation of new viruses and new diseases.
2. New toxins and toxicity.
3. Allergies.
4. Antibiotic resistance.
5. Increased use of chemicals.
6. Side effects and artificial traits will be passed to future generations.
7. Damaging effects will be irreversible.
8. Creation of new weeds resistant to herbicides.
9. Pollution of food and water supplies with chemicals.
10. Decrease in nutritional value.

HOW TO AVOID GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS.

1. Buy 100% organic. By law organic products can not use genetically engineered ingredients.
2. Avoid canola, soy, corn and cottonseed oil. They are the most common GM foods.
3. Read labels.
4. Look at the PLU codes on produce (the stickers on fruits and vegetables). If the code begins with the number 4 it means it is conventionally grown, beginning with 9 means organic and beginning with 8 means GMO.
5. Buy fresh foods since most processed foods are made with genetically engineered ingredients.
6. Instead of buying packaged snacks, make your own.
7. Plant a garden.
8. Learn to cook.
9. Pack your kids lunches.
10. Write to congress and request mandatory GMO labeling laws.

COMMON GMO FOODS.

1. Soy beans
2. Corn
3. Canola.
4. Cotton seed oil
5. Alfalfa
6. Hawaiian papaya
7. Tomatoes
8. Zucchini
9. Sugar
10. Russet potatoes
11. Animal products and dairy from cows treated with RBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone) or cows that are eating GM feed.

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Genetic Engineering - The Technology of 21st Century

Genetic engineering today is no longer a new term for the world. Every day in the newspapers, televisions, magazines the new inventions of genetic engineering are noticed. Genetic engineering may be described as the practice that manipulates organism's genes in order to produce a desired outcome. Other techniques that fall under this category are: recombinant DNA technology, genetic modification (GM) and gene splicing.

HISTORY

The roots of genetic engineering are connected to the ancient times. The Bible also throws some light on genetic engineering where selective breeding has been mentioned. Modern genetic engineering began in 1973 when Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen used enzymes to cut a bacteria plasmid and inserted another strand of DNA in the gap created. Both bits of DNA were taken from the same type of bacteria. This step became the milestone in the history of genetic engineering. Recently in 1990, a young child with an extremely poor immune system received genetic therapy in which some of her white blood cells were genetically manipulated and re-introduced into her bloodstream so that her immune system may work properly.

PROMISE

Genetic engineers hope that with enough knowledge and experimentation, it will be possible in the future to create "made-to-order" organisms. This will lead to new innovations, possibly including custom bacteria to clean up chemical spills, or fruit trees that bear different kinds of fruit in different seasons. In this way new type of organisms as well as plants can be developed.

PROCEDURE

Genetic engineering requires three elements: the gene to be transferred, a host cell into which the gene is inserted, and a vector to bring about the transfer. First of all, the necessary genes to be manipulated have to be 'isolated' from the main DNA helix. Then, the genes are 'inserted' into a transfer medium such as the plasmid. Third, the transfer medium (i.e., plasmid) is inserted into the organism intended to be modified. Next step is the element transformation whereby several different methods including DNA guns, bacterial transformation, and viral insertion can be used to apply the transfer medium to the new organism. Finally, a stage of separation occurs, where the genetically modified organism (GMO) is isolated from other organisms which have not been successfully modified.

APPLICATIONS

Genetic engineering has affected every field of life whether it is agriculture, food and processing industry, other commercial industries etc. we will discuss them one by one.

1. Agriculture Applications

With the help of genetic engineering it would be possible to prepare clones of genetically manipulated plants and animals of agricultural importance having desirable characteristics. This would increase the nutritive value of plant and animal food. Genetic engineering could lead to the development of plants that would fix nitrogen directly from the atmosphere, rather than from fertilizers which are expensive. Creation of nitrogen fixing bacteria which can live in the roots of crop plants would make fertilization of fields unnecessary. Production of such self fertilizing food crops could bring about a new green revolution. Genetic engineering could create microorganisms which could be used for biological control of harmful pathogens, insect pests, etc.

2. Environmental Applications

Genetically modified microorganisms could be used for degradation of wastes, in sewage, oil spills, etc. Scientists of the General Electric Laboratories of New York have added plasmids to create strains of Pseudomonas that can break down a variety of hydrocarbons and is now used to clear oil spills. It can degrade 60% of the crude oil, while the four parents from which it was derived break down only a few compounds.

3. Industrial Applications

The industrial applications of recombinant DNA technology include the synthesis of substances of commercial importance in industry and pharmacy, improvement of existing fermentation processes, and the production of proteins from wastes.

4. Medicinal Applications

Among the medical applications of genetic engineering are the production of hormones, vaccines, interferon; enzymes, antibodies, antibiotics and vitamins, and in gene therapy for some hereditary diseases.

Hormones

The hormone insulin is currently produced commercially by extraction from the pancreas of cows and pigs. About 5% of the patients, however, suffer from allergic reactions to animal-produced insulin because of its slight difference in structure from human insulin. Human insulin genes have been implanted in bacteria which, therefore, become capable of synthesizing insulin. Bacterial insulin is identical to human insulin, since it is coded by human genes.

Vaccines

Injecting an animal with an inactivated virus stimulates it into making antibodies against viral proteins. These antibodies protect the animal against infection by the same virus by binding to the virus. Phagocytic cells then remove the virus. Vaccines are manufactured by growing the disease-producing organism in large amounts. This process is often dangerous or impossible. Moreover, there are difficulties in making the vaccine harmless.

Interferon

Interferons are virus induced proteins produced by cells infected with viruses. They appear to be the body's first line of defence against viruses. The interferon response is much quicker than the antibody response. Interferons are anti-viral in action. One type of interferon can act. Against many different viruses, i.e. it is not virus specific. It is, however, species specific. Interferon from one organism does not give protection against viruses to cells of another organism. Interferon provides natural defence against such viral diseases as hepatitis and influenza. It also appears to be effective against certain types of cancer, especially cancer of the breast and lymph nodes. Natural interferon is collected from human blood cells and other tissues. It is produced in very small quantities.

Enzymes

The enzyme urokinase, which is used to dissolve blood clots, has been produced by genetically engineered microorganisms.

Antibodies

One of the aims of genetic engineering is the production of hybridomas. These are long lived cells that can produce antibodies for use against disease.

5. Gene therapy for treating hereditary diseases

The earlier gene transplantation experiments were concerned with trans¬planting genes in vitro into isolated cells or into bacteria. Gene transplantation experiments have now been extended to living animals.

6. In Understanding of Biological Processes

Genetic engineering techniques have been used for acquiring basic knowledge about - biological processes like gene structure and expression, chromosome mapping, cell differentiation and the integration of viral genomes. This could lead to a better under¬standing of the genetics of plants and animals, and ultimately of humans.

7. Human Applications

One of the most exciting potential applications of genetic engineering involves the treatment of genetic disorders. Medical scientists now know of about 3,000 disorders that arise because of errors in an individual's DNA. Conditions such as sickle-cell anemia, Tay-Sachs disease, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Huntington's chorea, cystic fibrosis, and Lesch-Nyhan syndrome are the result of the loss, mistaken insertion, or change of a single nitrogen base in a DNA molecule. Genetic engineering makes it possible for scientists to provide individuals who lack a certain gene with correct copies of that gene. The proposal for human cloning are still waiting to come on floor. Genetic engineering has benefited the couples who are infertile.

Safe guards of genetic engineering

The general safeguards for recombinant DNA research are outlined below:

1. Genes coding for the synthesis of toxins or antibiotics should not be introduced into bacteria without proper precautions
2. Genes of animals, animal viruses or tumour viruses should also not be introduced into bacteria without proper precautions.

3. Laboratory facilities should be equipped to reduce the' possibility' of escape of pathogenic microorganism by using microbial safety cabinets, hoods, negative pressure laboratories, special traps on drains lines and vacuum lines.
4. Use of microorganisms occupying special ecological niches such as hot springs and salt water should be encourage If such organisms escape they will not be able to survive.
5. Use of non-conjugative plasmids as plasmid cloning vectors is recommended as such plasmids are unable, to, promote their own transfer by conjugation.

Dangers of genetic engineering

Recombinant DNA research involves potential dangers. Genetic engineering could create dangerous new forms of life, either accidentally or deliberately. A host microorganism may acquire harmful characteristics as a result of insertion of foreign genes. If disease-carrying microorganisms formed as a result of genetic manipulation escaped from laboratories, they could cause a variety of diseases. For example, Streptococcus, a bacterium causing rheumatic fever, scarlet fever, strep throat and kidney disease, never acquired penicillin resistance in nature. If a plasmid carrying a gene for penicillin resistance is introduced into Streptococcus it would confer penicillin resistance on the bacterium. Penicillin would now become ineffective against the resistant organism.

Navodita Maurice

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DNA Structure

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Best Books on Recombinant DNA Technology

Recombinant DNA Technology in Gujarati

As Per Gujarat Secondary Education Board.

Best Books on Recombinant DNA Technology

Recombinant DNA Technology | Genetics | Biology

To purchase this program please visit www.greatpacificmedia.com Segment from the program Biotechnology: Engineering Genomes. DVD Description Our Biotechnology DVD first looks at major research areas in biotechnology such as the Human Genome Project and the various forms of recombinant DNA technology that produce transgenic plants and animals. The program then goes on to look at the tools used by biotechnologists such as restriction enzymes, plasmids, vector and vector less insertion of genes into genomes, and the production of genes via polymerase chain reactions. The program then concludes by looking at the future of biotechnology and some of the environmental, economic, and ethical issues raised by biotech.

Recombinant DNA and PCR For Internet

My recorded lecture on microbes and DNA technology