Biotechnology Products

Biotechnology products are made by modifying living organisms, usually at the molecular level, for specific industrial processes. They include tissue cultures, prepared media, biosensor arrays, and reagents. Biotechnology products are made by biotech companies and used in medical, pharmaceutical, biological, agricultural, scientific, and food and beverage processing applications. Biotechnology has long been used to breed animals, ferment alcoholic beverages, and produce breads, yogurts, and antibiotics. Recent advances have led to the expanded use of genetic organisms or microorganisms. Today, biotechnology products are developed in laboratories by moving genetic material from one organism to another to create a new set of characteristics.

There are many different types of biotechnology products. Categories include antibiotics, antibodies, and assay systems. Antibiotics (ATB) are therapeutic chemical substances that are designed to destroy or inhibit the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. Penicillin and tetracycline are two well-known examples. Antibodies for biotechnology products are often classified as monoclonal antibodies or polyclonal antibodies. Typically, antibody products are use in pharmaceutical applications. By contrast, assay systems are used in molecular biology and scientific research. Assay types include antigen capture assays, bioassays, immunoassays, microbiological assays, stem cell assays, and concentration assays.

Competitive protein-binding assays are commonly available. Proteins are biotechnology products and nitrogenous organic substances that are made of amino acids. These organic compounds contain both an amino group and a carboxylic acid group. During production, the manufacturers of biotechnology products arrange amino acids in a linear chain and connect them via the peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups. Biotech companies can then supply recombinant protein, enzymes, whey protein, and peptides. Recombinant proteins are used in the prevention and treatment of many diseases and medical conditions. Enzymes include chemicals such as phosphatase and protease. Whey protein is used in dietary supplements. Biotechnology products with peptide are also available.

There are many uses for biotechnology products in ranching, farming, and agriculture. Genetic engineering is used to modify the genetic components of animals, plants, and microorganisms. Some of these biotechnology products are used to produce engineered crops that can tolerate otherwise deadly doses of herbicides, insects, or viruses. Herbicide tolerance allows engineered crops to withstand chemicals that are designed to kill or stop the growth of weeds. Insect tolerance enables these same crops to withstand chemicals used to kill or deter pests such as wireworms and corn borers. Biotechnology products that provide virus tolerance are also available.

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• IFPAC '09 — Something for Everyone, Too Much for Any One
  By Agnes Shanley, Editor in Chief IFPAC (International Forum of Process Analytical Technology; Process Analysis and Control) is a deceptive conference. It might seem to be highly niched, and only for...
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