Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Biotechnology'
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1
Kara, Selin, Marco Berheide, and Andreas Liese. "Reversibility of asymmetric catalyzed C–C bond formation by benzoylformate decarboxylase." Saechsische Landesbibliothek- Staats- und Universitaetsbibliothek Dresden, 2016. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bsz:14-qucosa-189019.
Abstract:
Benzoylformate decarboxylase (BFD) from Pseudomonas putida catalyzed the formation of 2-hydroxy-1-phenylpropanone (2-HPP), a 2-hydroxy ketone, from the kinetic resolution of rac-benzoin in the presence of acetaldehyde. The formation rate of 2-HPP via kinetic resolution of benzoin was 700-fold lower compared to the formation via direct carboligation of benzaldehyde and acetaldehyde. Further investigations revealed that BFD not only accepts (R)-benzoin but also 2-HPP as the substrate. A typical Michaelis–Menten type kinetics was observed starting from enantiopure (S)- or (R)-2-HPP. The formation of racemic 2-HPP while using benzoin as the donor in the presence of acetaldehyde and the racemization of (R/S)-2-HPP were detected. The equilibrium constant determined, showed favoured conditions towards the product side i.e. (R)-benzoin and 2-HPP. In the end, an extended reaction mechanism was proposed by supplementing the already known mechanism with the C–C bond cleavage activity of BFD towards 2-hydroxy ketonesDieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich
2
Kara, Selin, Marco Berheide, and Andreas Liese. "Reversibility of asymmetric catalyzed C–C bond formation by benzoylformate decarboxylase." Royal Society of Chemistry, 2015. https://tud.qucosa.de/id/qucosa%3A29057.
Abstract:
Benzoylformate decarboxylase (BFD) from Pseudomonas putida catalyzed the formation of 2-hydroxy-1-phenylpropanone (2-HPP), a 2-hydroxy ketone, from the kinetic resolution of rac-benzoin in the presence of acetaldehyde. The formation rate of 2-HPP via kinetic resolution of benzoin was 700-fold lower compared to the formation via direct carboligation of benzaldehyde and acetaldehyde. Further investigations revealed that BFD not only accepts (R)-benzoin but also 2-HPP as the substrate. A typical Michaelis–Menten type kinetics was observed starting from enantiopure (S)- or (R)-2-HPP. The formation of racemic 2-HPP while using benzoin as the donor in the presence of acetaldehyde and the racemization of (R/S)-2-HPP were detected. The equilibrium constant determined, showed favoured conditions towards the product side i.e. (R)-benzoin and 2-HPP. In the end, an extended reaction mechanism was proposed by supplementing the already known mechanism with the C–C bond cleavage activity of BFD towards 2-hydroxy ketones.Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.
3
Hurets, H. M. "Environmental biotechnology." Thesis, Sumy State University, 2015. http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/40374.
Abstract:
Environmental biotechnology is the application of
biotechnology in the natural environment. It could sustain the
environment by using eco-friendly biological processes. Some of
these processes could be used to solve the most demanding
environmental problems like controlling air emissions and water
pollution. Developing countries in Asia and elsewhere have high
levels of atmospheric pollution. Besides, they are coupled with their
growth in population, that creates enormous sewage and waste
disposal problems.
4
Zanger, Maggy. "Taking Biotechnology into the Classroom: Biotechnology Tissue Culture Workshop." College of Agriculture, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 1991. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/295695.
5
Misner, Scottie, Carol Curtis, and Evelyn Whitmer. "Biotechnology and Food." College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/146433.
Abstract:
2 pp.Revision of 1999 title by Meer and Misner
A general definition of biotechnology is the use of a living organism or its products for commercial purpose. Today, biotechnology involves the use of recombinant DNA techniques to obtain desired qualities or products. This article addresses the importance and safety issue of biotechnology when it is used in food products.
6
Shanadi, Govind. "Hollywood representations of biotechnology /." view abstract or download file of text, 2007. http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1421624771&sid=3&Fmt=2&clientId=11238&RQT=309&VName=PQD.
7
Davies, Louise. "Global networks : biotechnology patentability." Thesis, Lancaster University, 2003. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.420627.
8
Rimmington, Anthony. "Biotechnology in the USSR." Thesis, University of Birmingham, 1988. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.544229.
9
Yurchenko, D. "3D bioprinting in biotechnology." Thesis, Sumy State University, 2016. http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/45875.
Abstract:
I am sure all of us have heard about 3D printers. They can print plastic models with different shapes and structures. And today I am going to show you, how we can use them in medicine and biotechnology.
10
Kust, V., Наталія Миколаївна Усенко, Наталия Николаевна Усенко, and Nataliia Mykolaivna Usenko. "Biotechnology in modern life." Thesis, Sumy State University, 2020. https://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/77979.
Abstract:
Scientists say that all discoveries take place at the junction of various specialties. Biotechnology is the basis of scientific and technological progress and improvement of the quality of human life with the world around him. It should be emphasized, that the biotechnology is designed to solve the key problems of our time, using the potential of living organisms.
11
Abreu, Sara Priscila Lopes de. "Collagenase for biotechnology applications." Master's thesis, Universidade de Aveiro, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10773/15507.
Abstract:
Mestrado em Biologia Molecular e CelularCollagen is an abundant protein in all animals and is the main component of numerous tissues, having also structural and regulatory roles. Collagen can be found in various numerous locations presenting specific functions, such as the establishment of the cellular shape, its strength and structural integrity, and is also involved in tissue maintenance. Moreover, collagen has an important role in the formation of the extracellular matrix of the connective tissue, by contributing to its physical properties. Collagenases are enzymes, more specifically metalloproteinases, with a zincbinding domain. These enzymes are able to digest the triple helical region of native collagen, cleaving its peptide bonds. In recent years, bacterial collagenases have been gaining interest for industry proposes, by offering a variety of applications. In the clinical area, collagenases are used as therapy for diseases associated with excessive deposition of collagen, as for example, in patients suffering from Dupuytren’s disease. The enzymes can also be used to help the debridement of wounds and burns, and also for cancer gene therapy applications. The objective of this work is the comparison and optimization of two methods of recombinant collagenase purification, evaluating which method provides the most cost-effective purification. For that purpose, a simple and high resolution method for purification of histidine-tagged recombinant protein was used. Immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC) with a Ni Sepharose 6 Fast Flow, through a column HisTrap FF 1ml or in batch were used. Results obtained through protein quantification by densitometry technique, showed that the purification using a column has higher yield. By zimography was possible determine the gelagenolytic activity of ColAh, and was also possible quantify the collagenolytic activity of ColAh, using a synthetic peptide N-(3-[2-Furyl]acryloyl)-Leu-Gly-Pro-Ala (FALGA). Obtained results also showed that the obtained recombinant protein is stable to storage over time and when submitted to different temperatures (room temperature; 4°C; -20°C).
O colagénio é uma proteína abundante em todos os animais, exercendo funções estruturais e reguladoras. Está presente em diversos locais e executa funções específicas, nomeadamente na manutenção dos tecidos e na conservação da sua estrutura celular, da sua força e integridade estrutural. Possui uma elevada importância na formação da matriz extracelular do tecido conjuntivo ao contribuir para as suas propriedades físicas. Colagenases são enzimas, mais especificamente metaloproteinases, com um característico domínio de ligação a zinco característico Atualmente, as colagenases bacterianas possuem diversas aplicações industriais. Por exemplo, na clínica são utilizadas no tratamento de doenças associadas a acumulação excessiva de colagénio, como a Doença de Dupuytren, no desbridamento de queimaduras e feridas e também em terapia génica oncológica. O objetivo deste trabalho é a comparação e a otimização de dois métodos de purificação, para avaliar qual dos processos será mais rentável. Para tal, foi utilizado um método de purificação de proteínas recombinantes, que foram marcadas com histidinas, utilizando um método de cromatografia de afinidade com ião metálico imobilizado (IMAC). Para comparação, a purificação foi estabelecida utilizando um método em coluna, HisTrap FF e um método em batch. Os resultados obtidos através da quantificação de proteína, usando técnica de quantificação por densitometria demonstraram que a purificação quando realizada por coluna, apresenta maior rendimento. Através de ensaios realizados posteriormente foi possível demonstrar a atividade da ColAh por zimografia de gelatina, e quantificar a atividade colagenolitica contra o péptido sintético N-(3-[2-Furyl]acryloyl)-Leu-Gly-Pro-Ala (FALGPA). Os resultados também demonstram que a proteína recombinante apresentou estabilidade, quando armazenada ao longo do tempo, a diferentes temperaturas (temperatura ambiente; 4°C; -20°C).
12
Sivakumar, Gayathri. "Agricultural biotechnology and Indian newspapers." Thesis, Texas A&M University, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/1133.
Abstract:
This study is designed to look into how agricultural biotechnology is covered by Indian newspapers. A through study of the literature showed that agricultural biotechnology is a much debated topic and there is a vast difference between the concerns expressed by its opponents in developed countries and those expressed by the opponents in developing countries. The research question was whether the sources used in an article determined the way in which this issue is framed. After conducting a content analysis of all articles written in Times of India between the time periods January 2001 - December 2003, it was found that the sources used did determine the way this issue was framed.
13
ATTATHOM, Tipvadee. "Biotechnology for Insect Pest Control." 農学国際教育協力研究センター, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/2237/8932.
14
Steele, Frances A., of Western Sydney Nepean University, Faculty of Education, and School of Teaching and Educational Studies. "Teaching biotechnology in NSW schools." THESIS_FE_TES_Steele_F.xml, 1999. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/671.
Abstract:
Agriculture, industry and medicine are being altered by new biological technologies. Today's students are the citizens who will make decisions about associated ethical issues. They need to have the knowledge that will enable them to make informed choices. Hence biotechnology has an important place in science education. The aims of the research were to: 1/describe the state of biotechnology teaching in NSW; 2/determine whether teachers in NSW do not teach biotechnology because they do not have the necessary knowledge and experience; 3/identify other reasons why NSW teachers choose not to teach biotechnology; 4/describe problems encountered in teaching biotechnology in NSW; 5/suggest ways in which the problems encountered in the teaching of biotechnology can be overcome. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used in a complementary way to investigate these aims. In a sample of teachers surveyed, many reported that they chose not to teach biotechnology because they did not have adequate knowledge and experience. Other obstacles were identified. These were: 1/ the difficulty of the subject matter; 2/ the lack of practical work; 3/ lack of a program for biotechnology in junior science. The results of this trial suggested that a biotechnology unit should be developed in collaboration with the teacher and that time needs to be made available for school based program development.Master of Education (Hons)
15
Reid-Henry, Simon. "Cuban biotechnology : an experimental milieu." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2004. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.433036.
16
Campbell, Moray James. "Novel membrane separations in biotechnology." Thesis, University of Kent, 1994. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.359337.
17
Affaticati, P. E. "Engineering transketolase for industrial biotechnology." Thesis, University College London (University of London), 2017. http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1557943/.
Abstract:
Transketolase is a ubiquitous enzyme of the thiamine diphosphate-dependent (TPP) family involved in the Calvin cycle and the pentose phosphate pathway. Substrate-walking of E. coli transketolase progressively shifted the target acceptor substrate from phosphorylated aldehydes to non-polar aromatic aldehydes. However, its applicability as an industrial biocatalyst is limited by the lack of combination mutants exhibiting satisfactory substrate breadth and stability. The S385Y/D469T/R520Q variant, which had previously been thought to exhibit differential binding to aromatic substrates, was analysed. Three model substrates were docked into its active site thus revealing two binding pockets supporting π-π stacking interactions. Screening of this variant with other cyclic compounds revealed evolved activities towards valuable industrial building blocks including 4-(methylsulfonyl)benzaldehyde (4-MSBA), a precursor to thiamphenicol. A quadruple mutant was consequently engineered by recombining a stabilising mutation and used as a template for further evolution towards bulky aromatics. Site-directed mutagenesis of a key residue generated the H192P/S385Y/L466M/D469T/R520Q variant which exhibited 5.6-fold improved kinetics towards 4-MSBA compared to the triple mutant. The transition of TK from a model enzyme to a robust industrial biocatalyst however does not only rely on its ability to synthesise novel therapeutic molecules, but also on its thermo- and solvent-stability. 52 variants of TK across the tree of life were consequently aligned to engineer a consensus variant and reconstruct a common ancestor to TK speculated to have branched from proteobacteria, firmicutes and fungi. The resulting common ancestor exhibited trace levels of non-native activity towards non-phosphorylated sugars and provided an initial soluble enzyme to explore the stability/activity relationship of future de novo TKs.
18
Saghir, Mouris. "Commercialization strategies of biotechnology companies." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/57763.
Abstract:
Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 1999.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 49-50).
In the biotechnology industry today, there are many business models for project commercialization. These models range from independent vertical integration to certain forms of collaboration with pharmaceutical companies to complete acquisitions of projects by the big pharmaceutical companies. In this thesis, we wanted to study commercialization strategies of several biotechnology companies. We wanted to investigate the rational for commercialization decisions and the consequence of these decisions on biotechnology firms'. Thus, we conducted interviews with either founders or senior managers of business development of nine biotechnology firms to address these issues. Our results demonstrate that biotechnology firms reluctantly enter partnership agreements with pharmaceutical companies. In addition, there are delays in the negotiation process before agreements are reached, which can have negative impact on biotechnology firms. Furthermore, concentration on core competencies and the presence of champions at the pharmaceutical partners are two essential elements of successful commercialization for biotechnology firms.
by Mouris Saghir.
S.M.
19
Steele, Frances A. "Teaching biotechnology in NSW schools." Thesis, View thesis View thesis, 1999. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/671.
Abstract:
Agriculture, industry and medicine are being altered by new biological technologies. Today's students are the citizens who will make decisions about associated ethical issues. They need to have the knowledge that will enable them to make informed choices. Hence biotechnology has an important place in science education. The aims of the research were to: 1/describe the state of biotechnology teaching in NSW; 2/determine whether teachers in NSW do not teach biotechnology because they do not have the necessary knowledge and experience; 3/identify other reasons why NSW teachers choose not to teach biotechnology; 4/describe problems encountered in teaching biotechnology in NSW; 5/suggest ways in which the problems encountered in the teaching of biotechnology can be overcome. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used in a complementary way to investigate these aims. In a sample of teachers surveyed, many reported that they chose not to teach biotechnology because they did not have adequate knowledge and experience. Other obstacles were identified. These were: 1/ the difficulty of the subject matter; 2/ the lack of practical work; 3/ lack of a program for biotechnology in junior science. The results of this trial suggested that a biotechnology unit should be developed in collaboration with the teacher and that time needs to be made available for school based program development.
20
Steele, Frances A. "Teaching biotechnology in NSW schools /." View thesis View thesis, 1999. http://library.uws.edu.au/adt-NUWS/public/adt-NUWS20030901.124743/index.html.
21
DEMONTIS, VALERIA. "Porous Silicon applications in biotechnology." Doctoral thesis, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/11584/266040.
Abstract:
Biotechnology is a field in great expansion and the continuous boost for obtaining smaller and more efficient devices stimulates the increase of interest from the research community. Nanostructured materials, and among them porous silicon (PS), appear to be good candidates for coupling with biological molecules because of their peculiar characteristics. In the case of porous silicon, the most noticeable are the very large specific area, which allows the loading of large amounts of biological material in a very small volume, and the possibility to easily tailor the pore size and morphology as function of the kind of molecules to be introduced.
Besides, the proven biocompatibility and non toxicity of PS allow the development of electronic devices to be directly implanted into living organisms without risk of rejection.
In this thesis we mainly focus our attention on the fabrication and characterization of a porous silicon-based potentiometric biosensor for triglycerides analysis, made of a lipase immobilized on a mesoporous Si matrix. Prototypes, realized on 1 x 1 cm n+-type silicon wafers, show a very high enzymatic activity. Moreover the properties of these biosensors have been shown to be stable in a several months time interval, clearly showing their advantages with respect to traditional triglycerides detection systems. The Michaelis Menten curve is obtained to demonstrate the absence of diffusion problems. Potentiometric measurements are also shown.
22
Sunderland, Naomi Louise. "Biotechnology as Media: A Critical Study of the Movement of Meanings Associated with Contemporary Biotechnology." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2004. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/16705/1/Naomi_Sunderland_Thesis.pdf.
Abstract:
This thesis purports to make two contributions to understandings of biotechnology. First, it presents a novel framework through which to view biotechnology as a complex series of fundamentally social and politically economic mediations rather than a decontextualised collection of technical and scientific phenomena. Second, the thesis presents a method for analysing contemporary discourses about biotechnology within this framework. The framework presented in the first content chapter of the thesis identifies what I see to be the four primary mediating "movements" that are central to seeing Biotechnology as Media: Alienation, Translation, Recontextualisation, and Absorption. The next chapter explicates these movements more fully using a combination of social practice and discourse theory. Using these four movements and the mediation framework as a guide, I then critically analyse a corpus of seventy two exemplary texts (approximately 700,000 words) about contemporary biotechnology.
Mediation, in the sense I use it here, is not concerned with one particular media form or technology. Rather, it focuses on the process of mediation as the movement of meanings (Silverstone, 1999). I argue that seeing biotechnologies as mediations can provide a deeper and more critical understanding of how ways of seeing, being, acting, and describing (discourses) associated with contemporary biotechnology are moved from micro- and macro-biological and scientific contexts into the everyday lives of citizens and ecosystems. In particular, such a view highlights the forces and voices that currently determine the path and substance of political-economic movements in biotechnology and, consequently, how everyday perceptions of biotechnology are shaped or silenced in processes of mediation.
A core assumption of the thesis is that processes of mediation are not neutral. Rather, they are always inherently interpretive, politically economic, and ethically significant. Any mediation involves "filtering" processes via which "content" is transformed into a form that is appropriate for a given medium by persons who have control over the medium, and by the nature of the medium itself. This applies as much in laboratory and scientific contexts as it does in the contexts of mass consumption, whether in newspapers, policy papers, movies (such as Gattaca), or consumer goods. The same is true in the mediation of biotechnology: there are technological and discursive restrictions on what and who can "contribute to" and "come out" of biotechnology and also what is construed as being a valuable and desirable outcome of biotechnology research and development.
The three central analysis chapters of the thesis outline firstly how biotechnology can function as a time-based medium for the reproduction of already powerful discourses on, for example, the role of technology in human development and the consumer market as the moral medium between generators of new technologies and their "consumers". I identify exemplars of how the history of biotechnology and mediation (movement) is expressed in the corpus. This is followed by a more concentrated analysis of the ethical and social significance of the key "official" mediations presented in the corpus. I focus in particular on how the predominant policy evaluations of biotechnological mediations expressed in state, national, and international policy documents construct a "virtuous cycle" of product development that will ostensibly "deliver the benefits" of biotechnology to all citizens who, in the corpus, are framed predominantly as "consumers".
The final chapter of the thesis reflects on the significance of biotechnology at the macro level of social practices and systems. Apart from its direct function as a technical medium for alienating hitherto inalienable aspects of life, such as configurations of DNA, and turning them into products for sale, I argue that, as a suite of mediating movements, biotechnology has the potential to effectively, and for the most part invisibly, mediate our more general understandings and experiences of ourselves, of other species, and of the world we live in. More specifically, I argue that biotechnological mediations actively, and often forcefully, promote a narrowing of the range of evaluative resources on offer to the general community, and indeed to biotechnologists themselves. Biotechnological mediations can therefore be described as part of a broader movement away from conditions of heteroglossia or dialogue (multi language, multi voice) toward conditions of monologia (one language, one voice).
The thesis concludes with an important question: if we can identify these narrowing effects or mediations of biotechnology by using techniques such as Critical Discourse Analysis and by seeing biotechnology in a mediation framework, what can we do to interrupt them and generate movements that are more generative of heteroglossic and socially responsive ways of seeing, being, and acting? I offer a number of responses to the question in the conclusion.
23
Sunderland, Naomi Louise. "Biotechnology as Media: A Critical Study of the Movement of Meanings Associated with Contemporary Biotechnology." Queensland University of Technology, 2004. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/16705/.
Abstract:
This thesis purports to make two contributions to understandings of biotechnology. First, it presents a novel framework through which to view biotechnology as a complex series of fundamentally social and politically economic mediations rather than a decontextualised collection of technical and scientific phenomena. Second, the thesis presents a method for analysing contemporary discourses about biotechnology within this framework. The framework presented in the first content chapter of the thesis identifies what I see to be the four primary mediating "movements" that are central to seeing Biotechnology as Media: Alienation, Translation, Recontextualisation, and Absorption. The next chapter explicates these movements more fully using a combination of social practice and discourse theory. Using these four movements and the mediation framework as a guide, I then critically analyse a corpus of seventy two exemplary texts (approximately 700,000 words) about contemporary biotechnology. Mediation, in the sense I use it here, is not concerned with one particular media form or technology. Rather, it focuses on the process of mediation as the movement of meanings (Silverstone, 1999). I argue that seeing biotechnologies as mediations can provide a deeper and more critical understanding of how ways of seeing, being, acting, and describing (discourses) associated with contemporary biotechnology are moved from micro- and macro-biological and scientific contexts into the everyday lives of citizens and ecosystems. In particular, such a view highlights the forces and voices that currently determine the path and substance of political-economic movements in biotechnology and, consequently, how everyday perceptions of biotechnology are shaped or silenced in processes of mediation. A core assumption of the thesis is that processes of mediation are not neutral. Rather, they are always inherently interpretive, politically economic, and ethically significant. Any mediation involves "filtering" processes via which "content" is transformed into a form that is appropriate for a given medium by persons who have control over the medium, and by the nature of the medium itself. This applies as much in laboratory and scientific contexts as it does in the contexts of mass consumption, whether in newspapers, policy papers, movies (such as Gattaca), or consumer goods. The same is true in the mediation of biotechnology: there are technological and discursive restrictions on what and who can "contribute to" and "come out" of biotechnology and also what is construed as being a valuable and desirable outcome of biotechnology research and development. The three central analysis chapters of the thesis outline firstly how biotechnology can function as a time-based medium for the reproduction of already powerful discourses on, for example, the role of technology in human development and the consumer market as the moral medium between generators of new technologies and their "consumers". I identify exemplars of how the history of biotechnology and mediation (movement) is expressed in the corpus. This is followed by a more concentrated analysis of the ethical and social significance of the key "official" mediations presented in the corpus. I focus in particular on how the predominant policy evaluations of biotechnological mediations expressed in state, national, and international policy documents construct a "virtuous cycle" of product development that will ostensibly "deliver the benefits" of biotechnology to all citizens who, in the corpus, are framed predominantly as "consumers". The final chapter of the thesis reflects on the significance of biotechnology at the macro level of social practices and systems. Apart from its direct function as a technical medium for alienating hitherto inalienable aspects of life, such as configurations of DNA, and turning them into products for sale, I argue that, as a suite of mediating movements, biotechnology has the potential to effectively, and for the most part invisibly, mediate our more general understandings and experiences of ourselves, of other species, and of the world we live in. More specifically, I argue that biotechnological mediations actively, and often forcefully, promote a narrowing of the range of evaluative resources on offer to the general community, and indeed to biotechnologists themselves. Biotechnological mediations can therefore be described as part of a broader movement away from conditions of heteroglossia or dialogue (multi language, multi voice) toward conditions of monologia (one language, one voice). The thesis concludes with an important question: if we can identify these narrowing effects or mediations of biotechnology by using techniques such as Critical Discourse Analysis and by seeing biotechnology in a mediation framework, what can we do to interrupt them and generate movements that are more generative of heteroglossic and socially responsive ways of seeing, being, and acting? I offer a number of responses to the question in the conclusion.
24
Willrodt, Christian. "Synthetic biology for synthetic chemistry - Microbial production and selective functionalization of limonene." Doctoral thesis, Universitätsbibliothek Leipzig, 2016. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bsz:15-qucosa-201140.
Abstract:
The progress in biotechnological disciplines such as metabolic engineering or synthetic biology increased the interest of chemical and pharmaceutical industries to implement microbial processes for chemical synthesis. However, most microorganisms, e.g., Escherichia coli or Saccharomyces cerevisiae, used in biotechnological applications are not evolved by nature for the production of industrially relevant compounds, which are often hydrophobic, non-charged, volatile, or toxic to the microbial organisms. Bioprocess design relies on an integrated approach addressing pathway, cellular, reaction, and process engineering to combine the results of natural evolution with the demands of industrial applicability.
In this thesis, the microbial de novo production and selective oxyfunctionalization of the highly volatile isoprenoid limonene has been investigated as a model system featuring reactants with challenging physicochemical characteristics. Key constraints that limit limonene biosynthesis and its oxyfunctionalization in recombinant E. coli, related to genetics, physiology, and reaction engineering, were identified and relieved.
25
Bondarew, Veronica. "Small firm growth in the Australian biotechnology industry a study of obstacles to the commercialisation of Australian biotechnology research /." Doctoral thesis, Australia : Macquarie University, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/1959.14/22345.
Abstract:
Thesis (DBA) -- Macquarie University, Macquarie Graduate School of Management, 2007.Bibliography: p. 209-223.
Introduction -- The biotechnology industry -- Literature review -- Methodology -- Case studies -- Discussion -- Conclusion.
Australia has a strong record of medical science research. Of the country's seven Nobel Prize winners, six have been within the bioscience sector. But Australia has been struggling to produce an FDA-approved blockbuster drug. The high level of research output in biotechnology is inconsistent with the low level of commercialisation of products resulting from the research.-- What distinguishes the successful companies in the Australian biotechnology industry? In particular, what obstacles are encountered by Australian scientists attempting to commercialise their inventions and are these obstacles spicific to the Australian context? Biotechnology impacts on an extraordinary range of industries, particularly in the health care sector, and is one of the major drivers of sustainable economic growth in the 21st century. The contrast between the Australian biotechnology industry's potential and achievements inhibits its ability to contribute to national wealth. This study investigates the difficulties encountered by Australian biotechnology firms in their attempts to commercialise their research.-- Garnsey's (1998) small firm growth model, based on engineering firms with in-house production, has been used to identify obstacles to biotechnology innovation and problems encountered in commercialising the research before the firm has been established. The research question asks to what extent the model can assist in understanding the obstacles that impede the growth of Australian biotechnology firms.-- Taking a qualitative approach and using an integrated and coherent case study methodology, the research identifies major obstacles to the growth of five firms through three clearly identifiable phases. Findings from the comparative case study analysis show that the firms' growth patterns generally conform to the model, but with major deviations due to specific differences between the engineering and biotechnology industries, Although biotechnology firms worldwide face similar obstacles to their growth, Australian firms encounter additional problems that seriously impede potential commercialisation of their biotechnology research.
Mode of access: World Wide Web.
xiv, 378 p
26
Hui, Chak-hung Dickson. "Planning for high technology industry in Hong Kong : a case study of biotechnology industry /." Hong Kong : University of Hong Kong, 1994. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record.jsp?B14014567.
27
Jens, Paul Justin, and paul jens@csl com au. "Valuation Models for Australian Biotechnology Companies." RMIT University. Economics, Finance and Marketing, 2007. http://adt.lib.rmit.edu.au/adt/public/adt-VIT20080226.120515.
Abstract:
Biotechnology generated solutions have been hailed as potential cures to many of the problems facing the world today. New therapeutics will eradicate disease, new agricultural products will solve food shortages, and industrial application will improve productivity with reduced environmental impact. Despite the much anticipated benefits of biotechnology, the industry faces significant challenges that must be overcome in the coming decades. Biotechnology is an inherently complex field with a high degree of uncertainty and associated risks. In addition to the risk associated with project development and delivery, businesses looking to extract an economic return from the provision of biotechnology products and services face significant financial risk. This is exacerbated by the long lead times in biotechnology product development and the expensive nature of research and development. This thesis looks investigates the multi faceted problem of biotechnology valuation in Australia using a multi method approach designed to provide greater insight into the valuation challenges facing the industry and identify key value drivers. The approach incorporates a broad qualitative investigation, complimented by more focused quantitative studies into specific valuation issues surrounding IPO and project valuation. Australian biotechnology firms face a significant challenge to raise sufficient capital in order to remain internationally competitive. The current industry structure and funding mechanisms encourage creation of small firms with narrow pipelines, exacerbating the risk of company failure and acting as an impediment to sustainability and, therefore, investment in the sector. Despite the challenges facing the Australian biotechnology industry, the nation possesses a competitive advantage in the strength of local science which, if fully leveraged, should see the development of an internationally competitive industry. Through improved funding mechanisms which encourage the creation of sustainable business models, increased investor participation in the industry should see a greater portion of the value generated through biotechnology retained by local participants. An IPO is likely the largest single capital raising in a company's history. A quantitative investigation into the factors influencing the amount of underpricing and money left on the table for Australian biotechnology IPOs found that the amount of money left on the table was more critical than the level of underpricing. Additionally the impact of market sentiment on biotechnology IPOs was investigated with increased media coverage found to be positively related to the amount of money left on the table. Using project valuation models, the drivers of value over the life of a typical biotechnology project were identified. Key drivers of biotechnology value are commercial viability, coupled with development cost and time. The ability of management to control these elements is crucial. Analysis of project valuations using a traditional DCF model found value estimates exhibited a greater level of uncertainty than those calculated using more contemporary methods of decision tree and real option analysis. Additionally, incorporation of management flexibility into valuation assessment using real options techniques increased the perceived value of biotechnology projects. The value of management flexibility was found to be most relevant for early stage projects where the option to abandon was found to greatly influence values.
28
Kelly, Mary Theresa. "Frankenfood, risk and ritual in biotechnology." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1999. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk1/tape9/PQDD_0024/MQ47952.pdf.
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Camsund, Daniel. "Engineering Transcriptional Systems for Cyanobacterial Biotechnology." Doctoral thesis, Uppsala universitet, Molekylär biomimetik, 2014. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-223599.
Abstract:
Cyanobacteria are solar-powered cell factories that can be engineered to supply us with renewable fuels and chemicals. To do so robust and well-working biological parts and tools are necessary. Parts for controlling gene expression are of special importance in living systems, and specifically promoters are needed for enabling and simplifying rational design. Synthetic biology is an engineering science that incorporates principles such as decoupling, standardization and modularity to enable the design and construction of more advanced systems from simpler parts and the re-use of parts in new contexts. For these principles to work, cross-talk must be avoided and therefore orthogonal parts and systems are important as they are decoupled by definition. This work concerns the design and development of biological parts and tools that can enable synthetic biology in cyanobacteria. This encompasses parts necessary for the development of other systems, such as vectors and translational elements, but with a focus on transcriptional regulation. First, to enable the development and characterization of promoters in different cyanobacterial chassis, a broad-host-range BioBrick plasmid, pPMQAK1, was constructed and confirmed to function in several cyanobacterial strains. Then, ribosome binding sites, protease degradation tags and constitutive, orthogonal promoters were characterized in the model strain Synechocystis PCC 6803. These tools were then used to design LacI-regulated promoter libraries for studying DNA-looping and the behaviour of LacI-mediated loops in Synechocystis. Ultimately, this lead to the design of completely repressed LacI-regulated promoters that could be used for e.g. cyanobacterial genetic switches, and was used to design a destabilized version of the repressed promoter that could be induced to higher levels. Further, this promoter was used to implement an orthogonal transcriptional system based on T7 RNAP that was shown to drive different levels of T7 promoter transcription depending on regulation. Also, Gal4-repressed promoters for bacteria were engineered and examined in Escherichia coli as an initial step towards transferring them to cyanobacteria. Attempts were also made to implement a light-regulated one-component transcription factor based on Gal4. This work provides a background for engineering transcription and provides suggestions for how to develop the parts further.
30
Martin, Helen. "Information flows in a biotechnology company." Thesis, Loughborough University, 2000. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/13915.
Abstract:
This case study of the information flows within a British biotechnology company involved a population of 156 and took place over five years. It included information provision and information management as embedded studies. The main investigation into information flows was done in three parts, using questionnaires. The parts were: Use of Information Centre information resources, company-wide information flows and assessment of the perceived effectiveness of existing information flows. Combined, these three parts represent a 'snapshot' of the flows over a timespan of about three months. The methodology used to present the individual information flows is novel. The results showed that inter-personal communication or information flows were good, with e-mail being extensively used; that most inter-Group flows were functional, but that flows through the company were poor. Information flow out of the company was restricted. The main barriers to effective flows were excessive secrecy which prevented open exchange of information, lack of finance and the split sites. Although these were only a few miles from the main building, the staff felt isolated. The results further show that the most used information resources were colleagues, and that the most used non-human information resources were not held in the IC. The main users of the IC were the R&D staff, while more than 50% of the company rarely or never used the facility. The investigation represents an early example of Knowledge Management and further documents a stage in the evolution of biotechnology companies.
31
Spice, William Matthew. "Principles of process development in biotechnology." Thesis, University of Westminster, 1988. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.328256.
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Skodbo, Sara. "Consuming biotechnology : innovation, regulation and resistance." Thesis, University College London (University of London), 2003. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.402465.
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Kristinsdottir, Asbjorg. "Capital project development in biotechnology industry." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/44285.
Abstract:
Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2008.Includes bibliographical references (p. 61-62).
The biotechnology industry has experienced fast growth during the first 30 years of its existence but is now reaching a stage of maturity. Companies are being challenged by weak pipelines and patent expirations, as well as increasing regulation. Mergers and acquisitions are frequent, and companies are forced to reduce planned capital expenditures, as well as restructure with personnel cuts and facility reductions. This thesis focuses on the affect those changes are having on the development of capital projects. It researches the environment as it used to be and what is now bringing the changes. Through literature search and case study, the thesis aims to capture the reasons for why the main driver of new facilities construction has shifted from time to cost and the affect that is having on the management and delivery of such projects.
by Asbjorg Kristinsdottir.
S.M.
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Verspaget, Cynthia J. "Unruly Bodies: Monstrous Readings of Biotechnology." Thesis, Curtin University, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/1994.
Abstract:
This thesis deploys the popular culture figure, the zombie, as a metaphor to examine the intersection of biotechnology and the production of knowledge about the body. Through reference to the HeLa cell line and BioArt project The Anarchy Cell Line, I show how the zombie metaphor helps to analyse and potentially undo Biology’s inflexible binary classification system, allowing a more inclusive and less reductive reading of those who are subject to Biology's system of knowledge.
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Broccanello, Chiara. "Biotechnology applications in sugar beet breeding." Doctoral thesis, Università degli studi di Padova, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/11577/3424820.
Abstract:
The aim of this thesis was to identify molecular markers associated to tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses in sugar beet. Sugar beet is one of the world’s most important crops currently supplying around 20% of the sugar consumed worldwide. The crop is damaged by many adverse environmental conditions and the development of varieties that require fewer technical inputs for cultivation is one of the main research demands. To achieve this, sugar beet breeding is focusing on genetic improvement programs assisted by molecular markers. These methods are making selection procedures more rapid, accurate and less expensive. The development of a large set of SNP markers can facilitate the identification and exploitation of genes affecting important traits, such as resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Several techniques are used to enable SNP marker discovery in plants. Among these, the Restriction-site Associated DNA (RAD) technique is widely used. The RAD technique is based on acquiring and characterizing the genomic regions adjacent to a set of specific restriction enzyme recognition sites. Bulk Segregant Analysis (BSA) is a method to identify DNA markers linked to genes or genomic regions of interest. DNA samples from individuals showing contrasting phenotype are compared with a large set of molecular markers to select those linked to the trait of interest.
The first part of the thesis presents a panel of 192 SNPs for effective sugar beet genetic diversity assessment using a recently released platform (QuantStudio 12K Flex system coupled with Taqman OpenArray technology) that has key elements required for high-throughput SNP genotyping.
In the second part, the 192 SNPs were used to assess the phylogenetic relationship between Rizor and Holly (Rz1) resistance sources. The molecular results demonstrate that the resistances to rhizomania used by farmers over the last 30 years derived from sea beet collected in the Po River Delta. Analysis of molecular variance and principal coordinate analysis confirmed that Rizor and Rz1 couldn’t be distinguished as separate sources of resistance.
In the third part, a marker linked to the first nematode tolerance gene (HsBvm-1) from Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima valuable for high-throughput marker-assisted selection was identified and mapped on chromosome 5.
The fourth and fifth parts focus on resistance to abiotic stresses that compromise sugar production. Premature flowering or bolting, due to cold temperatures in early spring, is an undesirable characteristic that causes severe sugar yield losses and interferes with harvesting. A new locus involved in the genetic determination of bolting tendency was studied and a SNP marker associated with bolting tendency was found on chromosome 6. SNP location on the sugar beet genome confirms the association with flowering since it was mapped in a matrix metalloproteinase gene that causes late flowering and early senescence in Arabidopsis thaliana. Given the close and positive relationships between yield and root morpho-physiological traits, a BSA was conducted to identify a SNP marker linked to root elongation rate in sugar beet. SNP10139 was mapped on the peptide transporter gene influencing root elongation in Arabidopsis thaliana.
The result suggests that SNPs developed in these studies could serve as a source for genotyping of sugar beet parental lines and varieties, with relevant impact on breeding program decisions.Lo scopo della tesi è stato quello di identificare marcatori molecolari associati alla tolleranza a stress biotici e abiotici in barbabietola da zucchero. La barbabietola attualmente produce circa il 20% dello zucchero mondiale. Uno dei maggiori obiettivi del miglioramento genetico è lo sviluppo di varietà che richiedano un sempre più basso utilizzo di mezzi tecnici per la coltivazione. Per raggiungere questo scopo, il breeding della barbabietola si è focalizzato su programmi di miglioramento genetico assistito da marcatori molecolari. Queste tecniche stanno rendendo la procedura di selezione più rapida, precisa e meno costosa. Lo sviluppo di un ampio set di marcatori SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) può facilitare l’identificazione e l’utilizzo di geni che controllano caratteri importanti di resistenza agli stress biotici e abiotici. Molte sono le tecniche che vengono utilizzate per lo sviluppo di marcatori SNP nelle piante. Fra queste, la tecnica Restriction-site Associated DNA (RAD), impiegata nel presente lavoro di tesi, è ampiamente diffusa e si basa sull'acquisizione e la caratterizzazione di regioni genomiche adiacenti a siti di restrizione riconosciuti da specifici enzimi. E’ stata utilizzata anche l’analisi dei segreganti riuniti (BSA) per identificare marcatori del DNA legati a geni o a regioni genomiche di interesse. Nella prima parte della tesi è stato messo a punto un set di 192 SNP per la genotipizzazione ad alta processività di accessioni di barbabietola utilizzando una recente piattaforma (QuantStudio 12K Flex system) rilasciata da Life Technologies, Inc. (Carlsbad, CA, USA). Nella seconda parte della tesi i 192 SNP sono stati utilizzati per determinare la relazione filogenetica tra le due fonti di resistenza alla rizomania Rizor e Holly (Rz1). L’analisi della varianza e delle componenti principali hanno confermato che le fonti Rizor e Holly sono indistinguibili. I risultati molecolari hanno dimostrato che la resistenza usata, dai coltivatori negli ultimi 30 anni, deriva dalle barbabietole maritime collezionate nel delta del Po. Nella terza parte è stato identificato il primo gene di tolleranza ai nematodi (HsBvm-1) in Beta vulgaris spp. maritima e il marcatore molecolare ad esso associato da utilizzare in programmi di miglioramento genetico. La quarta e quinta parte sono state focalizzate sulla resistenza a stress abiotici che compromettono la produzione di zucchero. La tendenza alla prefioritura, dovuta alle basse temperature nelle prime fasi di sviluppo della coltura, è una caratteristica indesiderata che causa gravi perdite nella resa di zucchero e interferisce con la raccolta. Un nuovo locus, implicato nel controllo genetico della tendenza alla fioritura, assieme a un marcatore ad esso legato sono stati mappati sul cromosoma 6. La localizzazione dello SNP sul genoma di riferimento della barbabietola da zucchero ha confermato l’associazione con il carattere della fioritura. Lo SNP è stato mappato in un gene che codifica per una proteina chiamata metalloproteinasi che causa un ritardo della fioritura e una prematura senescenza in Arabidopsis thaliana. Data la positiva e stretta relazione tra la resa in zucchero, il superamento della carenza idrico nutrizionale e le caratteristiche morfo-fisiologiche dell’apparato radicale, un’analisi dei segreganti riuniti è stata condotta per identificare marcatori SNP legati all'accrescimento radicale in barbabietola. Fra i 234 SNP esaminati, lo SNP10139 è risultato associato allo sviluppo radicale. Inoltre, lo SNP è stato mappato in un gene codificante un trasportatore di peptidi che influenza lo sviluppo radicale in Arabidopsis thaliana. In conclusione, gli SNP sviluppati in questo lavoro saranno utilizzati per la genotipizzazione di linee parentali e ibridi di barbabietola da zucchero, con rilevante impatto nei programmi di breeding.
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Loh, Melvyn Wei Ming. "Riding the biotechnology wave : a mixed-methods analysis of Malaysia's emerging biotechnology industry : a thesis submitted to the Victoria University of Wellington in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Commerce and Administration in Management /." ResearchArchive@Victoria e-thesis, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10063/963.
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Porter, Jean Nicole. "A descriptive study of agriculture teachers' awareness of biotechnology and the future of biotechnology education in Illinois /." Available to subscribers only, 2007. http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1328062471&sid=30&Fmt=2&clientId=1509&RQT=309&VName=PQD.
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Duru, Godwin Chukwunenye. "Biotechnology research in Nigeria : a socioeconomic analysis of the organization of agricultural research system's response to biotechnology /." The Ohio State University, 1988. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1487596307359591.
39
Minnella, Walter Settimo Leonardo. "Development of microfluidic tools for biological applications." Thesis, Bordeaux, 2017. http://www.theses.fr/2017BORD0664.
Abstract:
Cette thèse traite le développement de dispositifs, basés sur la technologie "laboratoire sur puce"(LOC) qui visent à contrôler l'environnement des systèmes biologiques pour des applications macro et microbiologiques. En effet, les caractéristiques de la microfluidique permettent de manipuler l'environnement cellulaire à un niveau supérieur à celui du degré de contrôle atteignable avec les techniques ordinaires. Dans ce travail de thèse sera explorée la possibilité de profiter de ces fonctions afin de développer des outils de diagnostic peu coûteux et pourtant efficaces. En particulier, on rapporte le développement de systèmes microfluidiques permettant une perfusion des médias fluide et rapide, ainsi qu'une plateforme LOC capable de réaliser des PCRq hautement multiplexes. Au sujet des systèmes de perfusion, le but était d'obtenir une substitution du médium entourant les particules afin d'augmenter les capacités de séparation des modules de tri microfluidiques couplés. L'efficacité de notre approche a été validée par les hauts taux de séparation obtenus (>90%) avec l'utilisation de notre système de perfusion microfluidique couplé à une puce d'acoustophorèse. De plus, nous avons conçu et développé un système de thermalisation microfluidique capable d'opérer des changements de température en moins de 1s. Plus spécifiquement, cette plateforme exploite l'échange de chaleur entre un liquide de thermalisation qui circule dans une puce microfluidique et l'échantillon. Ces performances de thermalisation, et le rapport surface/volume élevé typique des appareils microfluidiques, ont permis d'effectuer 50 cycles de PCRq et l'analyse de courbe de fusion en moins de dix minutesThe topic of this manuscript is the development of microdevices, based on "lab on chip" (LOC) technology, aimed to the environmental control and regulation of biological systems for macro and microbiological applications. Indeed, microfluidics possesses some inherent features which allow the manipulation of the environment at the cell and sub-cell level which are superior than the degree of control achievable with standard techniques. In this thesis work the possibility to leverage these features to develop inexpensive yet effective diagnostic tools is explored. In particular, we report the development of microfluidic systems which allow seamless and fast media perfusion and a novel LOC platform capable of performing highly multiplexed real-time PCR assays. Concerning the microfluidic perfusion systems, the aim was to achieve in-flow substitution of the particles' surrounding media in order to enhance the separation capabilities of the coupled microfluidic sorting modules. The effectiveness of our approach was validated by obtaining high separation purities (>90%) using our microfluidic perfusion system coupled with an acoustophoresis chip to discern two population of micro-sized beads. Moreover, we conceived and developed a microfluidic thermalisation system capable of sub-second temperature switches. Specifically, this platform relies on conductive heat exchange between a thermalisation liquid flowing inside a microfluidic chip and the biological sample. These thermalisation performances, and the high surface to volume ratio typical of microfluidic devices, allowed to perform 50 qPCR cycles and subsequent melting curve analysis in less than ten minutes
40
Kamínková, Petra. "Geneticky modifikované plodiny v politice a právu Evropské unie." Master's thesis, Vysoká škola ekonomická v Praze, 2009. http://www.nusl.cz/ntk/nusl-17536.
Abstract:
The legal framework for genetically modified crops in Europe is based on the precautionary principle, differing fundamentally from the US system. Where the EU created a complex set of strict rules for dealing with genetically modified crops, the United States continue to view GM crops to be just as safe as conventional crops. This philosophical difference led to one of the most complicated disputes in front of the World Trade Organization. It turned to be ineffective, however, to pressure the EU through the World Trade Organization's dispute settlement. However, it is the current internal conflict between EU member states and the European Commission regarding the authorization procedure for GM crops and the economic ramifications of the zero tolerance policy of unapproved crops on the European livestock industry that might finally bring about change in the European framework.
41
Niemir, Natalia. "Gene transfer in the Sandhoff murine model using a specific recombinant AAV9 vector." Thesis, Paris 5, 2013. http://www.theses.fr/2013PA05S024/document.
42
Vusovic, Slavica. "State level location determinants for biotechnology firms." abstract and full text PDF (free order & download UNR users only), 2006. http://0-gateway.proquest.com.innopac.library.unr.edu/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:1438936.
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Zucarelli, Michael, and Maurice Shauffert. "Profitability, Volatility, and Risk in the Biotechnology Sector." The University of Arizona, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/623904.
Abstract:
Class of 2010 AbstractOBJECTIVES: (1) To characterize the long-term performance of the biotechnology sector and the overall market using a Sharpe Ratio analysis (excess return/volatility; α/SD). The null hypothesis tested in this paper is the generalized Sharpe ratio characteristic of the biotechnology sector is identical to that of the overall market. METHODS: 337 companies were identified using Standard Industry Classification code 2836 (Biological Products, (No Diagnostic Substances)) lists from the Center for Research and Security Prices (CRSP) and S&P CompuStat databases. Market data on equity and return were derived from securities price data from the CRSP database. Market data were used to characterize the following measures: Mean Excess Return, Mean Excess Return minus 1% of top earners (trimmed), Volatility (SD),Sharpe Ratio and 1% Adjustment RESULTS: The study finds the biotech industry earned excess returns of 13.84% over time when compared to the overall market ( 5.10%). However, these returns are highly concentrated: When the top 1% of sector earners are removed from analysis, excess return declines below the risk free rate (return of -0.05%) suggesting significant barriers to risk diversification. CONCLUSIONS: The results show the biotechnology sector experiences higher volatility compared with the overall market, as well as higher excess returns. The results justify a rejection of the null hypothesis – that the generalized Sharpe ratio of the biotechnology sector is identical to that of the overall market
44
TAKABE, Tetsuko. "Biotechnology of Crop Production and International Consortium." 名古屋大学農学国際教育協力研究センター, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/2237/8933.
45
Elshawadfy, Ashraf Mohamed. "Engineering archaeal DNA polymerases for biotechnology applications." Thesis, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, 2012. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.606814.
Abstract:
The DNA polymerase from the archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus (Pfu- Pol) is commonly used in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The enzyme has high thermostability and is very accurate due to the presence of 3'---5'exonuclease (proofreading) activity. Unfortunately, the polymerase has relatively low processivity, limiting its ability to amplify long stretches of DNA relatively quickly. In this project, two approaches have been used in an attempt to improve the performance and processivity of Pfu DNA polymerase in PCR applications. In the first, the overall positive charge of the protein has been increased; predicted to increase electrostatic interactions between the negatively charged DNA and the more positively charged proteins. In the second, we have prepared a set of Pfu-Pol mutants in an attempt to make Pfu-Pol more similar to KODl; a polymerase isolated from a related hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermocococcus kodakaraensis. KODl is known to have a higher processivity than Pfu-Pol and both share a 3'---5' proof reading exonuclease activity. A PCR-based protocol was used to introduce the desired mutations.
46
Moula, Payam. "Ethical aspects of crop biotechnology in agriculture." Licentiate thesis, KTH, Filosofi, 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-162187.
Abstract:
This thesis analyses a few selected aspects of crop biotechnology in agriculture. The thesis contains two essays; the first addresses the topic of how ethical tools can help to, especially in democratic societies, improve ethical judgments on modern biotechnologies used in agriculture and food production. The second essay explores GM crops and the question of whether engaging and promoting agriculture biotechnology would be an expression of hubris. Essay I discusses ethical tools and more specifically what makes a tool a good one. It is argued that some of the previous attempts of evaluating ethical tools are unfruitful. Myself and Per Sandin propose that ethical tools be divided into three categories with regard to their different aim(s). We suggest that the quality of an ethical tool is decided by its purposiveness, i.e. how well the tool achieves its assigned purpose(s). Essay II discusses the concept of hubris with regard to agricultural biotechnology. Several authors have claimed that supporting agricultural biotechnology is an expression of hubris. Ronald Sandler has given the argument its most structured account of yet. I argue that Sandler fails to establish a presumption against the use of GM crops and that the concept of hubris should play no role in evaluating GM crops and agricultural biotechnology.QC 20150330
Mistra Biotech
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Stokes, Kathryn L. "A technology assessment of biotechnology in Ghana." Thesis, University of Strathclyde, 2004. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.401310.
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Verre, Andrea Francesco. "Chemical modifications of graphene for biotechnology applications." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2017. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/chemical-modifications-of-graphene-for-biotechnology-applications(be403064-aa49-4bcf-a6dc-a3807b179644).html.
Abstract:
The aim of this thesis is to investigate different functionalization strategy of graphene nanomaterials for graphene-based different biotechnological applications such as graphene-directed stem cell growth and differentiation and graphene-based biosensors. Chemical functionalization of graphene is required in many biological applications; in this thesis we have focused on exploiting the carboxylic groups available on GO molecules and non-covalent functionalization of graphene. GO has been a promising material for stem cell culture due to high specific surface area, ease of functionalization, its ability to support cell proliferation and to not cause cytotoxicity when stem cells are cultured on its substrate. The impact of biochemical functionalization on stem cell differentiation was not widely researched, and many research groups worldwide have been focusing on GO and rGO surfaces only. The approach of this thesis is to fabricate and characterize different graphene-based substrates to investigate the impact of biochemical functionalization of GO in directing adipose stem cell differentiation and to influence the gene expression pathways of Schwann-like differentiated adipose stem cells. The fabrication of graphene based biosensors is still challenging as biological molecules need to be attached to graphene-based sensors to increase both the specificity and the selectivity of the biosensors. In this thesis, two different chemical functionalization approaches were considered. Firstly, the covalent immobilization of membrane proteins embedded on a lipid nanodisc structure on GO was achieved. Secondly, the feasibility of using dip-pen nanolithography as a tool to locally functionalize graphene arrays with phospholipids was demonstrated. Phospholipid interface layer can act as bioactive layer which can be used for the protein insertion of tail-anchoring recombinant proteins as a new route for a non-covalent biological functionalization of graphene array.
49
Valencia, Suarez Julio Enrique. "Development of tools for biotechnology of microalgae." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2014. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/development-of-tools-for-biotechnology-of-microalgae(b94627d0-c6c0-4055-bbaf-06e9cb9c565e).html.
Abstract:
Green microalgae are an important source of natural products such as β-carotene, and have recently become objects of intense study for producing biodiesel and valuable recombinant proteins. Application of chloroplast engineering in microalgae is limited by the availability of tools for genetically engineering the chloroplast of commercially important species. The phytoene desaturase gene of a previously isolated norflurazon tolerant mutant of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was isolated and sequenced. A thymine to guanine transversion in exon 2 changes codon 131 resulting in a F131V mutation that is located in the NADP binding site domain on the primary structure. This mutation clusters with three conserved amino acids, whose substitution confers norflurazon tolerance in other species, in a pocket on a 3-D structure of the protein. The pocket identifies the target site of norflurazon. The side pocket is at the opening of a tunnel leading to the enzyme's NADP binding site. The mutant gene was cloned and used as marker for glass-bead mediated nuclear transformation of C. reinhardtii using direct selection with 5 μM norflurazon. Integration was by illegitimate recombination and transformants were able to grow in media containing 150 μM norflurazon. Transformants exhibited cross tolerance to fluridone, flurtamone, and diflufenican but were more sensitive to beflubutamid than wildtype. This allows mutant pds gene to act as a dual negative/positive selectable marker that is conditional on the herbicide used. The F131V mutation was introduced into a synthetic gene encoding a Dunaliella salina phytoene desaturase that contained codons used frequently in C. reinhardtii chloroplast genes. The 1.8 kbp CpPDS1 gene was assembled from 74 oligonucleotides by overlap PCR. The coding sequence was inserted into a Dunaliella tertiolecta chloroplast targeting vector that integrated the CpPDS1 sequence into the ycf3-trnL-rbcL region of the plastome. The resulting vector was transformed into D. salina and D. tertiolecta chloroplasts using particle bombardment with plasmid coated gold microprojectiles. Norflurazon tolerant colonies were isolated and the D. salina and D. tertiolecta clones were shown to contain a pds gene integrated in the plastome using PCR analyses. Transformation of the CpPDS1 gene into C. reinhardtii chloroplasts by rescue of an atpB mutation only gave rise to herbicide tolerant colonies if the presequence was removed. Industrial production of algae in large volumes is limited by the availability of light to drive algal growth. This problem was addressed by expressing fluorescent protein Katushka in the chloroplast of C. reinhardtii which converts yellow light to red light. The Katushka gene was transformed into chloroplasts using vector pB10, which was constructed to rescue a deletion in the chloroplast atpB gene in the mutant CC373 strain. The Katushka coding sequence was codon-optimised for expression in chloroplasts and expressed from three different promoter and 5' UTRs (atpA, atpB and psbD). C. reinhardtii wild type cells were able to grow under either blue or red LED lights but grew best when both were present. Wild type cell grew poorly in yellow LED lighting. Cells expressing Katushka in the chloroplast exhibited enhanced autotrophic growth in yellow light and under conditions where yellow light was present and red light was limiting. The improvement in growth was related to the levels of Katushka fluorescence detected in chloroplast transformants, which was highest for the atpA promoter and UTR.
50
Cupples, Gemma. "Fibre-laden flows in biology and biotechnology." Thesis, University of Birmingham, 2018. http://etheses.bham.ac.uk//id/eprint/8308/.
Abstract:
Fibre-laden fluids are ubiquitous in biological and physical systems; the fibres alter the rheology of the fluid and hence the emergent behaviour of the system. This thesis investigates two physical situations associated with fibrous media. Firstly we optimise the shear-induced alignment of suspensions of elongated particles, motivated by collaboration with Linear Diagnostics Ltd who are developing handheld devices to detect disruptions in fibre alignment due to pathogen presence in biological samples. Incorporating the effects of fibre dispersion and the mechanical anisotropy induced by the particles, we model suspensions of elongated particles undergoing steady or oscillating ow using a Fokker-Planck framework, producing recommendations for designs which optimise the signal to noise ratio. Next, we investigate microscopic propulsion in perfectly aligned media; for example the evolving fibrous structure of cervical mucus and more generally the problem of propulsion and pumping of an active fluid with alignment. We model the swimming of spermatozoa by adapting Taylor's classical swimming sheet model using Ericksen's transversely isotropic constitutive law (a limit of the Fokker-Planck model), to account for an aligned fibrous network. We find that propulsion in fibre-laden fluids is drastically different from Newtonian fluids, supporting the requirement to investigate fibrous rheology.