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Read more about Biotechnology Foundations - 2nd Edition

Biotechnology Foundations - 2nd Edition

(1 review)

Jack O'Grady

Copyright Year: 2013

Publisher: OpenStax CNX

Language: English

Formats Available

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CC BY

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Reviewed by Justin Anderson, Professor, Radford University on 7/7/20

The emphasis here should be on the word "foundations" in the title. As in, foundation for understanding biotechnology. There is very little in the book on biotech (chapters 14 and, to a lesser extent, 15 and 16). The rest of the book is repackaged... read more

Table of Contents

1 Unit 1. The Foundations of Biotechnology

  • Chapter 1. The Study of Life
  • Chapter 2. The Building Blocks of Life
  • Chapter 3. What is Biotechnology?
  • Chapter 4. Biotechnician Tools: Measurements & Uncertainty
  • Chapter 5. Biotechnician Tools: Preparing Solutions
  • Chapter 6. Biotechnician Tools: Basic Laboratory Equipment

2 Unit 2. Introduction to Biomanufacturing

  • Chapter 7. Cell Structure and Function
  • Chapter 8. Microbes
  • Chapter 9. Microbial Techniques
  • Chapter 10. Microbial Growth
  • Chapter 11. Control of Microbial Growth

3 Unit 3. Molecular Biotechnology

  • Chapter 12. Nucleic Acid Structure & Function
  • Chapter 13. Protein Structure and Function
  • Chapter 14. Laboratory Techniques: Nucleic Acids and Proteins
  • Chapter 15. Viruses, Vaccines, and the Immune System
  • Chapter 16. Immunochemistry

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About the Book

Given the broad definition of biotechnology applications and products, it is easy to see how there is enormous overlap within the fields of cellular biology, microbiology, chemistry, and biomedical engineering. It is the goal of this textbook to provide foundational knowledge to begin building your biotechnology toolkit and enter an exciting career of making a difference through biotechnology.

This textbook first explores the fundamentals of laboratory science and biotechnology. Unit 1 begins with a dive into the foundation of biology and chemistry by asking what is life and what are the molecules of life? The end of the unit offers a primer into laboratory science; preparing solutions and operating basic lab equipment. Unit 2 brings readers through a vital tool of biomanufacturing, understanding the growth and control of microbes. Many biotechnology products are made by harnessing the work of microbes, and this unit explores this invisible and intriguing world of microorganisms. The final unit, molecular biotechnology, offers a more in-depth look at how biological molecules such as DNA and protein are manipulated into creating useful products. 

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Jack O'Grady

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