Module 1
Biotechnology Basics
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Lessons for Module 1
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
Overview of Biotechnology
Cell Structure and Function
DNA Structure and Function
Protein Synthesis
Protein Structure and Function
Math Skills
Lab Overview
Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2012. All rights reserved.
Goals for Lesson 1.7
Identify and describe the function of common
lab tools of the biotechnician.
Understand how to set up a high school biotech
program.
Describe the organization of an industrial
biotech lab.
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Common Tools of a Biotechnician
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Common Tools of a Biotechnician
Electronic Balance
• Can be tared to zero and
used to determine the mass
of a sample
• Provides a digital readout
and usually has a sensitivity
to +/- 0.01 grams
Demonstration of how to use the Electronic Balance
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Common Tools of a Biotechnician
Micropipette
• Used to accurately transfer very
small volumes (usually less
than one milliliter, and as little
as 0.1 microliters)
• Adjustable for measuring
different volumes and used with
disposable plastic tips
Demonstration of micropipetting
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Common Tools of a Biotechnician
Gel Electrophoresis
• A technique used to
separate molecules in
a gel matrix when
subjected to an
electrical field
Pouring an agarose gel
Preparing an agarose gel
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Common Tools of a Biotechnician
Microcentrifuge
• Spins at a high speed and
can be used to separate
particles in a liquid medium
• Holds tubes up to about 2
ml
Demonstration of a microcentrifuge
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Common Tools of a Biotechnician
pH meter
• Most solutions in a
biotechnology lab must
have a carefully controlled
pH.
• A pH meter is a volt meter
that measures the
concentration of hydrogen
ions in solution.
Demonstration of pH Meter
Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2012. All rights reserved.
Helpful Resources for a
High School Biotech Lab
General Lab Safety Guidelines
Never eat or drink in the lab.
Wear splashproof goggles and avoid wearing contact
lenses.
Wear gloves and assume all biological material is
infectious.
Keep work areas free of clutter.
Keep long hair pulled back.
Do not wear open-toed shoes.
Clean up work stations and wash hands before leaving
the lab.
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Helpful Resources for a
High School Biotech Lab
Companies sell comprehensive biotechnology
lab stations.
Partner with local community colleges.
Equipment Start Up List
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Helpful Resources for a
High School Biotech Lab
Maintain a lab notebook
To record what was done and observed
To trace the manufacture of a product
To verify a procedure was done correctly
To develop and adhere to standard operating
procedures
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Organization of a Biotech Company
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Organization of a Biotech Company
Research and Development
• R&D is an organizational unit
that develops ideas for
products.
• R&D is directly involved in
designing and running
experiments to see if ideas are
feasible.
• R&D is responsible for
developing promising ideas into
marketable products.
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Organization of a Biotech Company
Production/Manufacturing
• This department
manufactures products that
have been given to them by
R&D.
• Production often involves
scale-up of protocols.
• Provides routine cleaning,
calibration, and conducts
maintenance of equipment.
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Organization of a Biotech Company
Quality Assurance/Quality
Control
• Monitors and checks final
products for quality before
they are sent to the
consumer
• Compares data to
established standards
• Maintains rigorous
documentation
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Organization of a Biotech Company
Support Departments
• Support departments fill and
package bulk products in
individual containers for
customer use.
• Metrology ensures
instruments are operating
properly.
• Facilities technicians maintain
critical day-to-day functions
such as housekeeping and
repairs.
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Organization of a Biotech Company
Business Services
•
•
•
Business departments are
responsible for marketing
and sale of the product.
Accounting department
manages financial
reports.
Customer service
interacts with customers
to address questions and
complaints.
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Organization of a Biotech Company
Regulatory Affairs
• Many products are regulated by government agencies
and a regulatory affairs staff is needed to interpret
the rules and ensure compliance with these three
federal agencies
1. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – regulates the safety
of genetically modified food and pharmaceutical products
2. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – regulates the
purity and quality of meat, poultry, and eggs and monitors
safety of genetically modified food and plants
3. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – regulates
environmental release of genetically modified organisms
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Organization of a Biotech Company
Virtual Tour of a Biotech Company
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Resources
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