Pharmacy E-books » Biotechnology

Advances in Bioactivation Research

Madjackfrost — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:32:00 +0000

This volume will provide researchers with recent information on bioactivation reactions of drugs and toxicants and will provide examples of how molecular and genomic biology, proteomics, mass spectrometry, and computational modeling are used in bioactivation research. In other sections of this volume, focus will be on recent applications of bioactivation research in pharmacology, toxicology, and environmental health sciences. In these sections, the contributors will demonstrate the integration of bioactivation research in several research areas, including new drug design, drug development, mechanisms of cell death, toxicity and carcinogenicity, metabolite-specific biomarkers of exposure and effect, and extrapolations of results from animal models to humans.

Synthetic Polymers for Biotechnology and Medicine

Madjackfrost — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 23:10:00 +0000

Before going any further in this post I want to introduce you to mind raveling topic called synthetic polymers. Synthetic polymers fulfill many functions in biotechnology and medicine. In cell culture technology and tissue engineering they provide the surfaces to which cells may attach. Cross-linked polymer networks are used for drug delivery and cell encapsulation.

Polymer-based porous membranes can be used to shield implanted cells from the immune system of the host, while allowing for the exchange of nutrients and metabolic waste products thus keeping the cells alive and functioning. In genetic engineering, polymers often play a very important role during the transfer of the foreign genetic material into the recipient cell. In this context polymers present interesting and perhaps safer alternatives to gene delivery by viruses. Last but not least, synthetic polymers have been used to mimic the function of certain biological molecules. Examples are the “artificial antibodies” and “artificial enzymes” produced by a technique called molecular imprinting. Synthetic displacers in protein displacement chromatography, on the other hand, have to mimic the interaction of the protein with the chromatographic surface to successfully compete for the binding sites and thereby enforce the chromatographic separation.

Book overview:
The idea for this book was first conceived during discussion amongst some of the people at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, which use synthetic polymers for some of the above-mentioned purposes. The book starts with two chapters on the delivery of biologicals using synthetic polymers. The chapter on cell encapsulation treats this important subject by taking the bioartificial pancreas as an example. The chapter on gene delivery focuses on the many barriers which nature developed to prevent the genetic modification of cells. Viruses are natural and extremely efficient means of overcome these barriers. Unfortunately, they have in the past given raise to some ethical questions regarding the safety of their use. Artificial polymers will hopefully one day replace these viral systems for the genetic modifications of cells.

Specialties of Second Edition:
The second section of the book deals with the use of synthetic polymers for the purpose of isolating biologicals (bioseparation). The chapter on affinity precipitation describes the use of stimulus-responsive polymers for this purpose. Upon the change of a certain external parameter like the temperature or the pH, such polymers change their behavior, e.g., their solubility in water, in a very abrupt manner. If the polymer is linked to an affinity mediator, any target molecule can be captured and co-precipitated. The issue of stimulus-responsive (sometimes also called “smart”) polymers is taken up again in chapter 6. In this chapter a common problem in tissue engineering is addressed. If cells are to be grown on a surface, this surface should have a hydrophilic quality. However, what is good for growth may later become a severe handicap, when the goal is to remove the cells for theirfinal application. Many cells do not react well to the agents commonly used for that purpose. The hydrophobicity of a surface covered with stimulus-responsive polymers, on the other hand, may be changed almost at will by stimulation with a suitable agent. Cells have been known to detach on their own, once a formerly hydrophilic surface had become hydrophobic due to a slight increase in temperature. Other applications of such stimulus-responsive surfaces may be found in bioseparation and drug delivery. The final chapter of the book deals with molecular imprinting as a means to give to polymeric surfaces the ability to distinguish between closely related molecules, which normally are only found in biological compounds such as enzymes.

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Enzyme Technologies for Pharmaceutical and Biotechnological Applications

Madjackfrost — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:51:00 +0000

A review of enzyme function in human and animal health, this book covers basic principles and applications in antibiotic biosynthesis, biocatalysis, and screening and assay optimization, as well as new and emerging technologies in the biotechnological and pharmaceutical industries. It offers real-world examples of timely laboratory, pharmaceutical and manufacturing processes, including large-scale applications of enzyme manipulations.

Physics and Chemistry Basis of Biotechnology, Volume 7

Madjackfrost — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:37:00 +0000

The recent advances in the field of Biotechnology cannot simply be ascribed to one scientific discipline. Rather, scientists from various backgrounds, ranging from fundamental physics and chemistry to the (bio) applied sciences, have joined their efforts in order to make this new era of “high-tech” biotechnology possible. In the present volume of “Focus on Biotechnology”, a selected group of distinguished experts describe how their field succeeded in developing the new frontiers of biotechnology. The physical or chemical underlying principles form the core of each chapter, which ends with a sketch of anticipated developments during the next decade. Audience: Any self-respecting scientist who aims to implement his work within the framework of practical applications will find “Focus on Biotechnology – Physics and Chemistry basis Biotechnology” a must-have volume.

Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Second Edition [ILLUSTRATED]

Madjackfrost — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:31:00 +0000

Since the publication of the first edition of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology over a decade ago, a not-so-subtle shift in the meaning of the term “biotechnology” has occurred. It has come to mean something very specific, namely the development of drug substances with large protein and polypeptide molecules. These substances can be used as drugs in their own right but may also be used to manipulate cellular DNA in order to produce a required molecule that is believed to have desirable properties in the treatment of a disease. Accordingly, the second edition of this popular text reflects that change of definition by including new material that explores the development of these protein-based therapeutic substances. See what’s new in the Second Edition: · Expanded coverage of the formulation of proteins · Additional information on proteins used as drug delivery systems · Detailed discussion of interactions between proteins and phospholipids · Increased information on proteomics and gene therapy · Exploration of pulmonary administration and oral delivery of proteins · A broad review of vaccines · Discussion of genetic engineering and genomics · Challenges and issues involved in the development and the production of a drug.

Microreactors: New Technology for Modern Chemistry

Madjackfrost — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:25:00 +0000

Tiny devices with huge potential!

New concepts of chemical synthesis have led to an increasing demand for miniaturization and more complex systems. Microreaction technology is a hot topic as it opens completely new possibilities for chemical engineering, combinatorial chemistry, and biotechnology. Small, inexpensive, independent, and versatile devices ensure many reactions achieve maximum selectivity, minimum waste, minimum investment, a better control of the process, safe manufacture and production on demand – to create a more efficient process.

This book outlines the fabrication techniques of microfluidic components, unit operations of micro-chemical engineering and current world-wide activities. Requirements with respect to needs of the chemical industry have been included.

Chemists, chemical engineers, biotechnologists, process engineers, microsystem technologists in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry and academia, as well as manufacturers of analytical instruments, will find this book a state-of- the-art review of this extremely interesting and rapidly developing field.

Industrial Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

Madjackfrost — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:19:00 +0000

This volume focuses on pharmaceutical biotechnology as a key area of life sciences. The complete range of concepts, processes and technologies of biotechnology is applied in modern industrial pharmaceutical research, development and production. The results of genome sequencing and studies of biological-genetic function are combined with chemical, micro-electronic and microsystem technology to produce medical devices and diagnostic biochips. A multitude of biologically active molecules is expanded by additional novel structures created with newly arranged gene clusters and bio-catalytic chemical processes.
New organisational structures in the co-operation of institutes, companies and networks enable faster knowledge and product development and immediate application of the results of research and process development.
This book is the ideal source of information for scientists and engineers in research and development, for decision-makers in biotech, pharma and chemical corporations, as well as for research institutes, but also for founders of biotech companies and people working for venture capital corporations.

Environmental Biotechnology: Theory and Application

Madjackfrost — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:08:00 +0000

Biotechnology has come to play an increasingly important role in many aspects of everyday life. Once an expensive and largely unfamiliar option, it has now become a realistic alternative to many established approaches for manufacturing, land remediation, pollution control and waste management. The application of biologically-engineered solutions to environmental problems has become far more readily acceptable in principle and biotechnology, in general, more widely understood, but there remains some uncertainty amongst practitioners regarding how and where the microscopic, functional level fits into the macroscopic, practical applications. It is precisely this gap which the book sets out to fill.Environmental Biotechnology: theory and application takes a thematic and environmentally focused approach, and breaks away from traditional rigid divisions to provide a unified exposition of the subject and an accurate reflection of environmental biotechnology in current practice. Dividing the topic into logical strands covering pollution, waste and manufacturing, the book examines the potential for biotechnological interventions and current industrial practice, with the underpinning microbial techniques and methods described, in context, against this background. Each chapter is supported by located case studies from a range of industries and countries to provide readers with an overview of the range of applications for biotechnology.

This book is essential reading material for undergraduates and Masters students taking modules in Biotechnology or Pollution Control as part of Environmental Science, Environmental Management or Environmental Biology programmes. It is also suitable for professionals involved with water, waste management and pollution control.

Cereal Biotechnology

Madjackfrost — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:51:00 +0000

Discusses genetic modification in cereal biotechnology, explaining the basis for current regulations and methods for assessing risks. Also addresses specific applications for cereal biotechnology from the use of molecular biological tools cereal production methods.

The Biotechnology of Ethanol

Madjackfrost — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:44:00 +0000

Focusing on the biotechnology of ethanol, this book highlights its industrial relevance as one of the most important products of primary metabolism. The text covers the most advanced developments among classical methods as well as more unconventional techniques, before going on to outline various aspects of new applications and the increasing importance of ethanol as a renewable resource. Topics covered in this unique volume include alternative raw materials, such as municipal waste and waste paper or particular crops, innovative methods of production using genetically engineered microorganisms, and the role of ethanol as both a source of energy and a valuable commodity.

The book is a valuable reference in that it combines biotechnological and economic aspects, while also providing an overview of the state of the art in the production and use of ethanol. Throughout, special emphasis has been placed on a balanced presentation between developments in Europe as well as in North and South America.

Biotechnology for the Future (Advances in Biochemical Engineering / Biotechnology)

Madjackfrost — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:20:00 +0000

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