Some Important Information on Biotechnology and Its Uses

Biotechnology is the branch of science that works with living organisms and the researches their functions. It has advance a great deal in the past few years and now is practically ubiquitous in our day to day lives. Biotechnology has been incorporated in the manufacture of many different products and has had resounding success in the field of medicine. The knowledge gained from the research carried on in the field of biotechnology has helped in the medicinal values of materials that before this were never imagined and made available different and new means to deal with challenges that have wrought the path of humans. This field has been growing rapidly and has made numerous advancements and breakthroughs over the last few years. It is still a highly controversial field and the reviews it has received have been mixed owing to the fact that it can be used to manipulate science.

Despite its breakthroughs this field is still in its infancy and as such is quite far away from making big profits. Few companies though have gained hugely from this science but the number of these is very limited. Since this field is mainly about research it requires large funding. These funds can be a drain on the company if the field is not really producing monetary results. Biotech companies essentially blend science and engineering to produce results. Their main aim is the welfare of the society and to that end focus on the production of medicines, food items and recycling. These companies can be divided into three main sectors namely - medicinal, agricultural and industrial. But the main developments have been in the medicinal field. They have been focusing on discovering cures for dangerous and incurable diseases.

Biotechnology

Medical Biotechnology is mainly used in the production of drugs. Many of these companies have made breakthroughs and created cures for many different diseases. This technology has been mainly used in this field to deal with the medicinal value of plants. Plants have great healing powers if used in the right quantities or combinations. These studies are carried out by researching different plants and identifying each one's medicinal properties. Then these properties are tested against different strains of bacteria to figure out is they are effective against them and to what extent. This is a time consuming process and the research just cannot be rushed. The safety of the consumers is at the very top of their priorities and as such they have to make very sure of each study.

Some Important Information on Biotechnology and Its Uses

Another important use of biotechnology is the field of Genetic Testing. This process requires a lot of precision and dedication. A process known as Gel Electrophoresis is used in the testing of DNA strands. This research can help in a myriad of way like criminal forensics, paternity testing, etc. The research pertaining to the genes responsible for breast cancer have been recently found with the use of this technology and companies are in the process of trying to isolate them reducing the risk of cancer in women.

Man's reliance on science is unending and even with all the ethical issues that are being projected on Biotechnology, it is a field that is going to be of great importance in our lives.

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Biotechnology is a practice as simple, and as ancient, as brewing beer or making cheese. In a practical sense, biotechnology is nothing more than humans putting to use the natural activity of microorganisms. But in the last twenty years, biotechnology

Biotechnology Timeline: Important Events And Discoveries In Biotechnology

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1977:

The Age of biotechnology arrives with "somatostatin" - a human growth hormone-releasing inhibitory factor, the first human protein manufactured in bacteria by Genentech, Inc. A synthetic, recombinant gene was used to clone a protein for the first time.

1978:

Genentech, Inc. and The City of Hope National Medical Center announce the successful laboratory production of human insulin using recombinant DNA technology. Hutchinson and Edgell show it is possible to introduce specific mutations at specific sites in a DNA molecule.

1979:

Sir Walter Bodmer suggests a way of using DNA technology to find gene markers to show up specific genetic diseases and their carriers. John Baxter reports cloning the gene for human growth hormone.

1980:

The prokaryote model, E. coli, is used to produce insulin and other medicine, in human form. Researchers successfully introduce a human gene - one that codes for the protein interferon- into a bacterium. The U.S. patent for gene cloning is awarded to Cohen and Boyer.

1981:

Scientists at Ohio University produce the first transgenic animals by transferring genes from other animals into mice. The first gene-synthesizing machines are developed. Chinese scientists successfully clone a golden carp fish.

1982:

Genentech, Inc. receives approval from the Food and Drug Administration to market genetically engineered human insulin. Applied Biosystems, Inc. introduces the first commercial gas phase protein sequencer.

1983:

The polymerase chain reaction is invented by Kary B Mullis. The first artificial chromosome is synthesized, and the first genetic markers for specific inherited diseases are found.

1984:

Chiron Corp. announces the first cloning and sequencing of the entire human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) genome. Alec Jeffreys introduces technique for DNA fingerprinting to identify individuals. The first genetically engineered vaccine is developed.

1985:

Cetus Corporation's develops GeneAmp polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, which could generate billions of copies of a targeted gene sequence in only hours. Scientists find a gene marker for cystic fibrosis on chromosome number 7.

1986:

The first genetically engineered human vaccine - Chiron's Recombivax HB - is approved for the prevention of hepatitis B. A regiment of scientists and technicians at Caltech and Applied Biosystems, Inc. invented the automated DNA fluorescence sequencer.

1987:

The first outdoor tests on a genetically engineered bacterium are allowed. It inhibits frost formation on plants. Genentech's tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), sold as Activase, is approved as a treatment for heart attacks.

1988:

Harvard molecular geneticists Philip Leder and Timothy Stewart awarded the first patent for a genetically altered animal, a mouse that is highly susceptible to breast cancer

1989:

UC Davis scientists develop a recombinant vaccine against the deadly rinderpest virus. The human genome project is set up, a collaboration between scientists from countries around the world to work out the whole of the human genetic code.

1990:

The first gene therapy takes place, on a four-year-old girl with an immune-system disorder called ADA deficiency. The human genome project is formally launched.

1991:

Mary-Claire King, of the University of California, Berkeley, finds evidence that a gene on chromosome 17 causes the inherited form of breast cancer and also increases the risk of ovarian cancer. Tracey the first transgenic sheep is born.

1992:

The first liver xenotransplant from one type of animal to another is carried out successfully. Chiron's Proleukin is approved for the treatment of renal cell cancer.

1993:

The FDA declares that genetically engineered foods are "not inherently dangerous" and do not require special regulation. Chiron's Betaseron is approved as the first treatment for multiple sclerosis in 20 years.

1994:

The first genetically engineered food product, the Flavr Savr tomato, gained FDA approval. The first breast cancer gene is discovered. Genentech's Nutropin is approved for the treatment of growth hormone deficiency.

1995:

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center transplanted hearts from genetically altered pigs into baboons, proving that cross-species operations are possible. The bacterium Haemophilus influenzae is the first living organism in the world to have its entire genome sequenced.

1996:

Biogen's Avonex is approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The discovery of a gene associated with Parkinson's disease provides an important new avenue of research into the cause and potential treatment of the debilitating neurological ailment.

1997:

Researchers at Scotland's Roslin Institute report that they have cloned a sheep--named Dolly--from the cell of an adult ewe. The FDA approves Rituxan, the first antibody-based therapy for cancer.

1998:

The first complete animal genome the C.elegans worm is sequenced. James Thomson at Wisconsin and John Gearhart in Baltimore each develop a technique for culturing embryonic stem cells.

1999:

A new medical diagnostic test will for the first time allow quick identification of BSE/CJD a rare but devastating form of neurologic disease transmitted from cattle to humans.

2000:

"Golden Rice," modified to make vitamin A. Cloned pigs are born for the first time in work done by Alan Coleman and his team at PPL, the Edinburgh-based company responsible for Dolly the sheep.

2001:

The sequence of the human genome is published in Science and Nature, making it possible for researchers all over the world to begin developing genetically based treatments for disease.

2002:

Researchers sequence the DNA of rice, and is the first crop to have its genome decoded.

2003:

The sequencing of the human genome is completed.

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

Bangalore Jobs and Career Openings in Important Sectors

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Software, electrical, mechanical, biotechnology and government sectors are few of the prominent sectors promising hundreds of jobs in Bangalore.

Software:

Once decided to look out for software jobs in Bangalore the first decision one has to make is to choose between service and product sectors. Nature of the work, relative competition level and growth rate etc would be significantly different between these two sectors.

Companies coming under either services or products sector can be further divided based on the nature of the clients and domains they are dealing with. These divisions are Multimedia, Enterprise Resource, Planning, Banking, Health Care, Transportation, Energy Utility and Services etc. For example SAP which is a German based product company deals extensively with ERP kind of products whereas ORACLE deals with database management systems.

Some examples of service companies are Infosys, Wipro, TCS, HCL etc. Some examples of product companies are SAP, ORACLE, GOOGLE India etc.

Electrical:

Bangalore has several job opportunities in electrical sector as well. There are several government and private companies dealing in this sector. For example, the government of India's electrical company namely BEL (Bharat Electricals Limited) has a very big establishment in Bangalore generating number of jobs.

Mechanical:

Two big automobile companies in India namely TATA and Ashok Leyland have their establishments in Bangalore. Bangalore - TamilNadu border (near Hosur) has hundreds of automobile and mechanical companies which are generating plenty of jobs. This makes Bangalore a hub for job seekers from mechanical and automobile engineering.

Biotechnology:

Recently companies have come up specializing in biotechnology and bio-informatics. With NCBS (National Center for Biotechnology) Bangalore is growing job market in biotechnology sector.

Government:

Being a very big city with large population Bangalore has several openings in government sector as well.

Looking for Jobs in India.
India, Bangalore Jobs portal can help you in job search.
Regards,
Kamal
Placements consultant maintaining portal sections for Infosys Placement Questions and software placement papers

A Strong Patent Is Important To Halt Infringer's Operations, Says U.S. Supreme Court

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Chemical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology companies and inventors spend countless number of hours and a lot of money to come up with a drug for curing killer diseases like cancer or diabetes or a new catalyst that will speed up a chemical reaction towards making a wonder plastic. They protect their inventions by securing a patent.

For one reason or another, the patent owner may not be ready to make or sell the patented invention. The patent owner, for example, University or individual inventor, may be thinking of licensing the invention to another who can market the invention, and collect royalty payments rather than undertake efforts to secure financing necessary to bring their works to market themselves. However, much to the patent owner's surprise and anger, it may notice an infringer illegally making and selling the invention. Can the patent owner go and automatically get an order to halt the infringer's operations? The answer may be surprising. The courts are not always sympathetic to the patent owner.

In the recently decided fight between internet giant eBay and smaller company Mercexchange, who owned a patent for doing business on the web, Justice Clarence Thomas, speaking for the United States Supreme Court, ruled that the patent owner, besides showing that the patent has been violated, must prove that a number of things are lining up in its favor before it can stop the infringer from copying the patented invention. This is a dramatic departure from the earlier lower court ruling that, except in rare situations, a court should automatically issue an order to halt the infringer's operations if the patent owner proved that his valid patent is unlawfully copied.

To succeed in halting the operations of the infringer, the Supreme Court indicated that the patent owner must show that it has suffered beyond repair by the actions of the infringer; that there is no other remedy, such as money, than stopping the infringer; how its hardship outweighs the hardship of the infringer; and that public interest would not be harmed by halting the infringer. This is commonly called the "four-factor test".

In proving that the forces are working in the patent owner's favor, as required by the Supreme Court, one of the questions that would come up is how strong the patent is - i.e., can it survive an attack on its validity. In the words of Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing on the eBay case, "the potential vagueness and suspect validity of ... the patents may affect the calculus under the four-factor test."

Securing a strong patent is not trivial. It is important that patent is filed promptly. For example, if the patent is filed long after the invention was published in a magazine or displayed as a poster, its validity or vitality comes into question. Or the patent may have been filed promptly but the patent may have been drafted the patent such that the patent does not cover the invention adequately. To succeed in stopping the infringer, or to obtain a sizable royalty or settlement from the infringer, it is essential that the patent is strong and robust.

Xavier Pillai, Ph.D., a Partner in the law firm of Leydig, Voit & Mayer, Ltd. in Chicago, IL; Phone: (312)-616-5600 or email at xpillai@leydig.com. I help chemical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology companies resist competition by securing strong patent protection.