BIOTECHNOLOGY GLOSSARY

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Bacillus subtilis

A bacterium commonly used as a host in recombinant DNA experiments. Important because of its ability to secrete proteins.

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)

Naturally occurring soil bacterium that generates a protein toxic to a variety of lepidoptera, such as corn borers, but is harmless to people and animals.

Bacteriophage

Virus that lives in and kills bacteria. Also called phage.

Bacterium

Any of a large group of microscopic organisms with a very simple cell structure. Some manufacture their own food, some live as parasites on other organisms, and some live on decaying matter.

Base

A key component of DNA and RNA molecules. Four different bases are found in DNA: adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G) and thymine (T). In RNA, uracil (U) substitutes for thymine. Also known as nitrogenous bases. A base, a phosphate molecule and a sugar joined together constitute a nucleotide.

Base pair

Two nucleotide bases on different strands of the nucleic acid molecule that bond together. The bases can pair in only one way: adenine with thymine (DNA), or uracil (RNA) and guanine with cytosine.

Bioassay

Determination of the effectiveness of a compound by measuring its effect on animals, tissues or organisms in comparison with a standard preparation.

Bioaugmentation

Increasing the activity of bacteria that break down pollutants by adding more of their kind. A technique used in bioremediation.

Biocatalyst

In bioprocessing, an enzyme that activates or speeds up a biochemical reaction.

Biochemical

The product of a chemical reaction in a living organism.

Biochip

An electronic device that uses organic molecules to form a semiconductor.

Bioconversion

Chemical restructuring of raw materials by using a biocatalyst.

Biodegradable

Capable of being reduced to water and carbon dioxide by the action of microorganisms.

Bioenrichment

A bioremediation strategy that involves adding nutrients or oxygen, thereby bolstering the activity of microbes as they break down pollutants.

Bioinformatics

The science of informatics as applied to biological research. Informatics is the management and analysis of data using advanced computing techniques. Bioinformatics is particularly important as an adjunct to genomics research, because of the large amount of complex data this research generates.

Biolistic device

A device that shoots microscopic DNA-coated particles into target cells.

Biological oxygen demand (BOD)

The amount of oxygen used for growth by organisms in water that contains organic matter.

Biologic

A therapeutic or prophylactic derived from a living source (human, animal or unicellular). Most biologics are complex mixtures that are not easily identified or characterized, and many are manufactured using biotechnology. Biological products often represent the cutting-edge of biomedical research and are sometimes the most effective way to prevent or treat a disease.

Biologic response modifier

A substance that alters the growth or functioning of a cell. Includes hormones and compounds that affect the nervous and immune systems.

Biomass

The totality of biological matter in a given area. As commonly used in biotechnology, refers to the use of cellulose, a renewable resource, for the production of chemicals that can be used to generate energy or as alternative feedstocks for the chemical industry to reduce dependence on nonrenewable fossil fuels.

Biomaterials

Biological molecules, such as proteins and complex sugars, used to make medical devices, including structural elements used in reconstructive surgery.

Bioprocess

A process in which living cells, or components thereof, are used to produce a desired product.

Bioreactor

Vessel used for bioprocessing.

Bioremediation

The use of microorganisms to remedy environmental problems, rendering hazardous wastes nonhazardous.

Biosynthesis

Production of a chemical by a living organism.

Biotechnology

The use of biological processes to solve problems or make useful products.

Biotransformation

The use of enzymes in chemical synthesis to produce chemical compounds of a desired stereochemistry.

Blastocyst (Blastula)

The 4- to 5-day-old ball of undifferentiated cells from which a prospective embryo develops. In mammals it consists of two distinct parts: the inner cell mass and the trophoblast.

B lymphocytes (B-cells)

A class of lymphocytes, released from the bone marrow, that produce antibodies.

Bovine somatotropin (BST)

A hormone secreted by the bovine pituitary gland. It is used to increase milk production by improving the feed efficiency in dairy cattle milk. Also called bovine growth hormone.

BRCA1 and BRCA2

(BReast CAncer genes 1 and 2) Two genes that normally help to restrain cell growth, but which can contain certain genetic mutations associated with the development of breast and ovarian cancer. Note, however, that inherited BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are thought to account for less than 10 percent of all breast and ovarian cancers. Recent evidence suggests that somatic cell genetic mutations (i.e., noninherited genetic mutations) in these two genes may also play a role in the development of cancer.

               

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