Thoroughly updated for currency and with exciting new practical examples throughout, this popular text provides the tools, practice, and basic knowledge for success in the biotech workforce.

With its balanced coverage of basic cell and molecular biology, fundamental techniques, historical accounts, new advances, and hands-on applications, the Third Edition emphasizes the future of biotechnology and the biotechnology student’s role in that future. Two new features—Forecasting the Future, and Making a Difference—along with several returning hallmark features, support the new focus. 

Features

• Concise overviews examine cutting-edge techniques and concepts including Bioinformatics, Proteomics, and Genomics, as well as detailed information on agricultural, medical, forensic, and regulatory issues that impact the biotechnology industry.
• Career Profile Boxes in each chapter introduce students to different career paths in the biotechnology industry and provide detailed information on job functions, salaries, and guidance for preparing to enter the workforce.
• You Decide Boxes in each chapter stimulate ethical discussion by giving students questions and information relating to the social and ethical implications of biotechnology and regulations.
• Tools of the Trade Boxes provide details on modern techniques and methods related to each chapter’s content and the biotech industry.
• End-of-Chapter Questions & Activities encourage students to apply what they’ve learned and include internet assignments that explore cutting edge topics. Suggested answers are provided in the Appendix.
• Abundant illustrations, instructional diagrams, and flow charts present modern images, step-by-step explanations of complex processes, and include new figures on the use of gene microarrays, PCR, and nanobiotechnology.
• Companion Website offers study aids, such as flashcards, a glossary, chapter reviews, and additional web resources.
• Instructor’s Test Bank includes multiple choice questions for each chapter.
• A section on “Business of Biotechnology” in Chapter 1 describes biotech company organization and structure, top biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, and features updated data on the biotechnology industry worldwide.

Table of Contents

1. The Biotechnology Century and Its Workforce
2. An Introduction to Genes and Genomes
3. Recombinant DNA Technology and Genomics
4. Proteins as Products
5. Microbial Biotechnology
6. Plant Biotechnology 
7. Animal Biotechnology
8. DNA Fingerprinting and Forensic Analysis
9. Bioremediation
10. Aquatic Biotechnology
11. Medical Biotechnology
12. Biotechnology Regulations
13. Ethics and Biotechnology

Appendix I: Answers to Questions

Appendix II: The 20 Amino Acids of Proteins
Glossary
Index