Category Archives: Biotechnology

The 57 rating InvestorsObserver gives to Mirati Therapeutics Inc (MRTX) stock puts it near the top of the Biotechnology industry. In addition to scoring higher than 75 percent of stocks in the Biotechnology industry, MRTXs 57 overall rating means the stock scores better than 57 percent of all stocks.

Click Here to get the full Stock Score Report on Mirati Therapeutics Inc (MRTX) Stock.

Analyzing stocks can be hard. There are tons of numbers and ratios, and it can be hard to remember what they all mean and what counts as good for a given value. InvestorsObserver ranks stocks on eight different metrics. We percentile rank most of our scores to make it easy for investors to understand. A score of 57 means the stock is more attractive than 57 percent of stocks.

Our proprietary scoring system captures technical factors, fundamental analysis and the opinions of analysts on Wall Street. This makes InvestorsObservers overall rating a great way to get started, regardless of your investing style. Percentile-ranked scores are also easy to understand. A score of 100 is the top and a 0 is the bottom. Theres no need to try to remember what is good for a bunch of complicated ratios, just pay attention to which numbers are the highest.

Mirati Therapeutics Inc (MRTX) stock has risen 0.91% while the S&P 500 is lower by -0.23% as of 11:07 AM on Friday, Nov 29. MRTX is up $0.90 from the previous closing price of $99.44 on volume of 61,363 shares. Over the past year the S&P 500 is up 14.93% while MRTX is up 168.50%. MRTX lost -$4.69 per share the over the last 12 months.

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Where Does MRTX Stock Rank in the Biotechnology Industry? - InvestorsObserver

Clovis Oncology Inc (CLVS) is near the top in its industry group according to InvestorsObserver. CLVS gets an overall rating of 60. That means it scores higher than 60 percent of stocks. Clovis Oncology Inc gets a 79 rank in the Biotechnology industry. Biotechnology is number 84 out of 148 industries.

Click Here to get the full Stock Score Report on Clovis Oncology Inc (CLVS) Stock.

Finding the best stocks can be tricky. It isnt easy to compare companies across industries. Even companies that have relatively similar businesses can be tricky to compare sometimes. InvestorsObservers tools allow a top-down approach that lets you pick a metric, find the top sector and industry and then find the top stocks in that sector.

Our proprietary scoring system captures technical factors, fundamental analysis and the opinions of analysts on Wall Street. This makes InvestorsObservers overall rating a great way to get started, regardless of your investing style. Percentile-ranked scores are also easy to understand. A score of 100 is the top and a 0 is the bottom. Theres no need to try to remember what is good for a bunch of complicated ratios, just pay attention to which numbers are the highest.

Clovis Oncology Inc (CLVS) stock is up 14.18% while the S&P 500 is down -0.23% as of 11:06 AM on Friday, Nov 29. CLVS has gained $1.76 from the previous closing price of $12.41 on volume of 16,936,555 shares. Over the past year the S&P 500 has risen 14.93% while CLVS is down -17.62%. CLVS lost -$7.51 per share the over the last 12 months.

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Where Does CLVS Stock Rank in the Biotechnology Industry? - InvestorsObserver

Inflarx NV (IFRX) is near the bottom in its industry group according to InvestorsObserver. IFRX gets an overall rating of 32. That means it scores higher than 32 percent of stocks. Inflarx NV gets a 18 rank in the Biotechnology industry. Biotechnology is number 84 out of 148 industries.

Click Here to get the full Stock Score Report on Inflarx NV (IFRX) Stock.

Analyzing stocks can be hard. There are tons of numbers and ratios, and it can be hard to remember what they all mean and what counts as good for a given value. InvestorsObserver ranks stocks on eight different metrics. We percentile rank most of our scores to make it easy for investors to understand. A score of 32 means the stock is more attractive than 32 percent of stocks.

These scores are not only easy to understand, but it is easy to compare stocks to each other. You can find the best stock in an industry, or look for the sector that has the highest average score. The overall score is a combination of technical and fundamental factors that serves as a good starting point when analyzing a stock. Traders and investors with different goals may have different goals and will want to consider other factors than just the headline number before making any investment decisions.

Inflarx NV (IFRX) stock is higher by 1.73% while the S&P 500 is down -0.23% as of 11:00 AM on Friday, Nov 29. IFRX has risen $0.06 from the previous closing price of $3.47 on volume of 881,155 shares. Over the past year the S&P 500 has risen 14.93% while IFRX is down -88.36%. IFRX lost -$2.11 per share the over the last 12 months.

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Where Does IFRX Stock Rank in the Biotechnology Industry? - InvestorsObserver

On the second floor of the Pennovation Center, Strella Biotechnology is hard at work turning their student-led startup into a full-fledged company thats ready to make a major impact in the agricultural sector.

May graduates Katherine Sizov and Malika Shukurova, respectively the CEO and head of R&D at Strella, share a 2019 Presidents Innovation Prize, which includes $100,000 of financial support, a $50,000 living stipend for both awardees, and a year of dedicated co-working and lab space at the Pennovation Center. The alumnae and their company are now poised to take on the challenge of $1 trillion worth of food waste.

Strellas biosensors are designed to give packers real-time data on how ripe their fruits are while being stored between harvesting and selling. Using bio-inspired sensors that measure the ethylene gas produced by fruits as they ripen, Strella successfully hacked the fruit to create their patent-pending biosensors. Now, only six months after graduation, Strella has six paying customers and is aiming for $100,000 in sales by the end of the season.

Beyond the work needed to deploy their first paid product, Strella also has a clear view of what needs to be done for future progress of the company. This means running experiments in the lab to refine their current sensors while conducting other experiments that will help the company be able to monitor other types of fresh foods. Its a job that Shukurova says involves a lot of multitasking and requires an all-hands approach to problem solving.

We set up experiments that run for several days, and during that period we work on different tasks. I prepare for the next set of experiments, Jacob [Jordan] and Katherine travel to our customers to deploy sensors, and Zuyang [Liu]]works on IoT [Internet of Things]. At the end of the day we all come together to discuss results and future plans, says Shukurova about their companys work flow.

The company is also finding ways to expand their technology onto individual pallets in retail settings, which represents a huge untapped market for managing food waste. That opportunity, from a numbers perspective, is far greater than the current packing market were working in, so were hoping to make an impact as we move into that space as well, says Sizov.

During the next six months, the team will be busy analyzing the data collected by their deployed sensors and gearing up for a new round of fundraising. Looking further ahead, Strella aims to increase sales in their initial market, conduct research and development on individual pallet-level sensors, and begin active partnerships with larger retailers to help optimize their supply chains.

Sizov admits that Strella has an ambitious timeline but that the team is looking forward to the challenge. Working alongside Jordan, Liu, and Shukurova, Sizov says that Strella already has its own culture of sorts. None of us have ever had a business before, and learning how to create culture within a group, how to work together as a team, and how to not get tired of each other because we spend so much time together, has been an interesting challenge, says Sizov.

Their lab and coworking space at Pennovation has allowed Strella to stay connected with Penns innovator community while also providing lab facilities and resources needed to continue their work on their sensors. Strella has two lab benches and a fume hood, access to shared lab equipment, and plenty of space to house their prototypes, all provided for free as part of their Innovation Prize.

Theyve also been able to stay well-connected to the Penn community as a whole, traveling regularly to campus to meet with faculty, including weekly meetings with their mentorJeffrey Babin. We are not out of [the] Penn mindset, says Shukurova. We dont have to worry about exams, but were still on campus and were still involved with the faculty.

Babin says that Strella is one of the most exciting companies that Ive seen come out of Penn and that the company is in a strong position to make some significant impact on the food supply chain. One of the things thats been strong since the beginning was having an expanded vision: Not just on product development, but getting a customer, he says. They have a really strong sense of whats required to acquire a customer, what the next steps are, and growing both within the initial customer base while expanding to other elements.

When asked what advice they would give to would-be entrepreneurs, Shukurovas advice is to take it as a journey. She encourages students who have an idea to share their thoughts with others to get feedback before beginning any startup endeavor. Talk to more peopledont limit yourself to 10 people, or 20 people, talk to hundreds of people, she says.

Sizov says that the experience of running a startup has been a great learning experience, one that is far less risky than might seem at first, especially thanks to the Innovation Prize. If youre just following your passion, thats not a risk. Youre not putting aside your career, she says. Everything we learn at Strella is directly teaching us how to be better and smarter individuals.

Jeffrey Babin is a practice professor and associate director of the Engineering Entrepreneurship Program in the School of Engineering and Applied Science.

Homepage photo: Presidents Innovation Prize winners Katherine Sizov and Malika Shukurova (front) doing R & D to help design new versions of their fruit-hackingbiosensors at the Pennovation center.

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Strella Biotechnology tackles food waste by 'hacking the fruit' - Penn: Office of University Communications

ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZIOP) shares are up more than 181.82% this year and recently decreased -1.50% or -$0.08 to settle at $5.27. Huntsman Corporation (NYSE:HUN), on the other hand, is up 20.27% year to date as of 11/27/2019. It currently trades at $23.20 and has returned 2.11% during the past week.

ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZIOP) and Huntsman Corporation (NYSE:HUN) are the two most active stocks in the Biotechnology industry based on todays trading volumes. Investor interest in the two stocks is clearly very high, but which is the better investment? To answer this question, we will compare the two companies across growth, profitability, risk, and valuation metrics, and also examine their analyst ratings and insider activity trends.

Companies that can increase earnings at a high compound rate over time are attractive to investors. Comparatively, HUN is expected to grow at a 0.70% annual rate. All else equal, HUNs higher growth rate would imply a greater potential for capital appreciation.

Just, if not more, important than the growth rate is the quality of that growth. Growth can actual be harmful to investors if it comes at the cost of weak profitability and low returns. To adjust for differences in capital structure well use EBITDA margin and Return on Investment (ROI) as measures of profitability and return. EBITDA margin of 8.49% for Huntsman Corporation (HUN). ZIOPs ROI is -63.00% while HUN has a ROI of 20.20%. The interpretation is that HUNs business generates a higher return on investment than ZIOPs.

The amount of free cash flow available to investors is ultimately what determines the value of a stock. ZIOPs free cash flow (FCF) per share for the trailing twelve months was -0.06. Comparatively, HUNs free cash flow per share was +1.32. On a percent-of-sales basis, ZIOPs free cash flow was -7.23% while HUN converted 3.23% of its revenues into cash flow. This means that, for a given level of sales, HUN is able to generate more free cash flow for investors.

Liquidity and leverage ratios are important because they reveal the financial health of a company. ZIOP has a current ratio of 10.30 compared to 2.00 for HUN. This means that ZIOP can more easily cover its most immediate liabilities over the next twelve months. ZIOPs debt-to-equity ratio is 0.00 versus a D/E of 0.95 for HUN. HUN is therefore the more solvent of the two companies, and has lower financial risk.

ZIOP trades at a P/B of 8.50, compared to a forward P/E of 11.68, a P/B of 2.15, and a P/S of 0.70 for HUN. Given that earnings are what matter most to investors, analysts tend to place a greater weight on the P/E.

Analyst Price Targets and Opinions

Investors often compare a stocks current price to an analyst price target to get a sense of the potential upside within the next year. ZIOP is currently priced at a -16.35% to its one-year price target of 6.30. Comparatively, HUN is -12.05% relative to its price target of 26.38. This suggests that ZIOP is the better investment over the next year.

Risk and Volatility

To gauge the market risk of a particular stock, investors use beta. Stocks with a beta above 1 are more volatile than the market as a whole. Conversely, a beta below 1 implies below average systematic risk. ZIOP has a beta of 2.53 and HUNs beta is 2.34. HUNs shares are therefore the less volatile of the two stocks.

Analysts often look at short interest, or the percentage of a companys float currently being shorted by investors, to aid in their outlook for a particular stock. ZIOP has a short ratio of 34.54 compared to a short interest of 1.41 for HUN. This implies that the market is currently less bearish on the outlook for HUN.

Huntsman Corporation (NYSE:HUN) beats ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZIOP) on a total of 9 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks. HUN higher liquidity, is more profitable, generates a higher return on investment, has higher cash flow per share and has a higher cash conversion rate. Finally, HUN has better sentiment signals based on short interest.

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ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. (ZIOP) vs. Huntsman Corporation (HUN): Breaking Down the Biotechnology Industrys Two Hottest Stocks - E Globalist

Amicus Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:FOLD) shares are up more than 9.97% this year and recently increased 1.49% or $0.15 to settle at $10.53. Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:APLS), on the other hand, is up 108.79% year to date as of 11/27/2019. It currently trades at $27.54 and has returned -4.04% during the past week.

Amicus Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:FOLD) and Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:APLS) are the two most active stocks in the Biotechnology industry based on todays trading volumes. To determine if one is a better investment than the other, we will compare the two companies growth, profitability, risk, return, and valuation characteristics, as well as their analyst ratings and sentiment signals.

The ability to consistently grow earnings at a high compound rate is a defining characteristic of the best companies for long-term investment. Analysts expect FOLD to grow earnings at a -1.00% annual rate over the next 5 years.

If theres one thing investors care more about than earnings, its cash flow. FOLDs free cash flow (FCF) per share for the trailing twelve months was -0.23. Comparatively, APLSs free cash flow per share was -0.84.

Analysts look at liquidity and leverage ratios to assess how easily a company can cover its liabilities. FOLD has a current ratio of 6.20 compared to 10.10 for APLS. This means that APLS can more easily cover its most immediate liabilities over the next twelve months. FOLDs debt-to-equity ratio is 0.27 versus a D/E of 1.01 for APLS. APLS is therefore the more solvent of the two companies, and has lower financial risk.

FOLD trades at a P/B of 4.90, and a P/S of 17.09, compared to a P/B of 12.58, for APLS. FOLD is the cheaper of the two stocks on book value basis but is expensive in terms of P/E and P/S ratio. Given that earnings are what matter most to investors, analysts tend to place a greater weight on the P/E.

Analyst Price Targets and Opinions

Just because a stock is cheaper doesnt mean theres more value to be had. In order to assess value we need to compare the current price to where its likely to trade in the future. FOLD is currently priced at a -41.11% to its one-year price target of 17.88. Comparatively, APLS is -36.16% relative to its price target of 43.14. This suggests that FOLD is the better investment over the next year.

Insider Activity and Investor Sentiment

Analysts often look at short interest, or the percentage of a companys float currently being shorted by investors, to aid in their outlook for a particular stock. FOLD has a short ratio of 8.66 compared to a short interest of 6.08 for APLS. This implies that the market is currently less bearish on the outlook for APLS.

Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:APLS) beats Amicus Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:FOLD) on a total of 6 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks. APLS has higher cash flow per share, generates a higher return on investment and higher liquidity. Finally, APLS has better sentiment signals based on short interest.

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Amicus Therapeutics, Inc. (FOLD) vs. Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (APLS): Comparing the Biotechnology Industrys Most Active Stocks - E Globalist

Global Biotechnology Algae Cultivation Process (Micro Algae) Market Research Reports offer valuable insights and market trends to present the Biotechnology Algae Cultivation Process (Micro Algae) Industry performance. The introduction, product details, Biotechnology Algae Cultivation Process (Micro Algae) marketing strategies, Biotechnology Algae Cultivation Process (Micro Algae) market share, and key players are stated. The industry trends, development plans, prospects, opportunities, and development threats are explained in detail. The CAGR value, technological development, new product launches, and Biotechnology Algae Cultivation Process (Micro Algae) Industry competitive structure is elaborated.

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The report discusses gross margin, sales, revenue, production, market share, CAGR, and market size by region. Here, the global Biotechnology Algae Cultivation Process (Micro Algae) Market is deeply analyzed based on regions, types, applications, and Companies.

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Biotechnology Algae Cultivation Process (Micro Algae) Market Insights, Volume, Opportunities, Type, Product Analysis, and Application (Cellana,...

PRINCETON, N.J., Nov. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PDS Biotechnology Corporation (PDSB), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing multiple therapies based on the Companys proprietary Versamune T-cell activating technology, today announced that Lauren V. Wood, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of PDS Biotechnology, has been selected to deliver an oral presentation on the Companys novel T-cell activating immunotherapy platform, Versamune, at the World Vaccine & Immunotherapy Congress West Coast 2019, taking place on December 2-5, 2019 in San Francisco, CA.

Details for the presentation are below:

Presentation Title: Versamune: A Novel T-cell Activating Immunotherapy PlatformTopic: Engaging T-Cells, Cancer Antibodies, and CombinationsPresenter: Dr. Lauren V. Wood, Chief Medical Officer, PDS BiotechnologyDate: Wednesday, December 4, 2019Time: 3:00pm PST

The Versamune platform is PDS Biotechs proprietary, synthetic lipid-based T-cell activating platform, which works by facilitating several critical immunological pathways. Versamunes mechanism of action involves the effective cross-presentation of tumor antigens via the MHC Class I and Class II pathways to prime tumor-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T-cells as well the potent up-regulation of Type 1 interferon genes within the lymph nodes, promoting effective T-cell migration, activation and proliferation. These mechanisms promote strong in-vivo induction of polyfunctional tumor-targeting CD8+ killer T-cells. Versamunes activation specifically of type 1 interferons coupled with the lack of significant systemic cytokine release results in a highly favorable safety profile that has potential uses in combination with checkpoint inhibitors and other therapeutic agents. In a phase 1 human clinical trial PDS Biotechnologys lead Versamune-based immunotherapy exhibited potent antigen-specific CD8+ T-cell induction with an average of over 20-fold increase in the blood circulation within 14 days of treatment. The strong T-cell induction also resulted in complete regression of lesions in the majority of treated cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) patients. The ability to induce high levels of CD8+ killer T-cells in vivo has resulted in potent synergy with checkpoint inhibitors in preclinical studies. Upcoming phase 2 clinical trials to confirm the unique synergy will also be presented.

About PDS Biotechnology

PDS Biotechnology is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing multiple therapies based on the Companys proprietary Versamune T-cell activating technology platform. The Versamune platform effectively delivers tumor-specific antigens for in-vivo uptake and processing, while also activating a critical immunological pathway, the type 1 interferon pathway, thus resulting in the production of potent tumor-specific killer T-cells. Using Versamune, PDS Biotechnology is engineering therapies designed to better recognize cancer cells and break down their defense systems to effectively attack and destroy tumors. PDS Biotechnologys pipeline combines the Versamune technology with tumor-specific antigens across several cancer types. To learn more, please visit http://www.pdsbiotech.com or follow us on Twitter at @PDSBiotech.

About PDS0101

PDS Biotechnologys lead candidate, PDS0101, combines the utility of the Versamune platform with targeted antigens in HPV-expressing cancers. In partnership with Merck and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), PDS Biotechnology is advancing PD0101 to Phase 2 studies in head and neck cancer and in HPV-related advanced cancer.

Forward Looking Statements

This communication contains forward-looking statements (including within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended) concerning PDS Biotechnology Corporation (the Company) and other matters. These statements may discuss goals, intentions and expectations as to future plans, trends, events, results of operations or financial condition, or otherwise, based on current beliefs of the Companys management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. Forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as may, will, should, would, expect, anticipate, plan, likely,believe,estimate,project,intend,and other similar expressions among others. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including, without limitation: the ability of the Company to integrate Edge and PDS Biotechnology following the merger; the Companys ability to protect its intellectual property rights; competitive responses to the completion of the merger; potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the completion of the merger;the Companys anticipated capital requirements, including the Companys anticipated cash runway and the Companys current expectations regarding its plans for future equity financings; the timing for the Company or its partners to initiate the planned clinical trials for its lead assets, PDS0101 and PDS0102; the Companys interpretation of the results of its Phase 1 trial for PDS0101 and whether such results are sufficient to support additional trials or the future success of such trials;the successful implementation of the Companys research and development programs and collaborations, including any collaboration studies concerning PDS0101 and the Companys interpretation of the results and findings of such programs and collaborations and whether such results are sufficient to support the future success of the Companys product candidates; the acceptance by the market of the Companys product candidates, if approved;the timing of and the Companys ability to obtain and maintainU.S. Food and Drug Administrationor other regulatory authority approval of, or other action with respect to, the Companys product candidates;and other factors, including legislative, regulatory, political and economic developmentsnot within the Companys control. The foregoing review of important factors that could cause actual events to differ from expectations should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with statements that are included herein and elsewhere, including the risk factors included in the Companys annual and periodic reports filed with the SEC. The forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this press release and, except as required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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PDS Biotechnology to Present at the World Vaccine & Immunotherapy Congress West Coast 2019 - Yahoo Finance

Biotechnology is the use of biological systems found in organisms or the use of the living organisms themselves to make technological advances and adapt those technologies to various different fields. These include applications in various fields from agricultural practice to the medical sector. It does not only include applications in fields that involve the living, but any other field where the information obtained from the biological aspect of an organism can be applied.

Biotechnology is particularly vital when it comes to the development of miniscule and chemical tools as many on the tools biotechnology uses exist at the cellular level. In a bid to understand more regarding biotechnology, here are its types, examples and its applications.

According to Biotechnology Innovation Organization,

Biotechnology is technology based on biology biotechnology harnesses cellular and biomolecular processes to develop technologies and products that help improve our lives and the health of our planet. We have used the biological processes of microorganisms for more than 6,000 years to make useful food products, such as bread and cheese, and to preserve dairy products.

Medical biotechnology is the use of living cells and other cell materials for the purpose of bettering the health of humans. Essentially, it is used for finding cures as well as getting rid of and preventing diseases. The science involved includes the use of these tools for the purpose of research to find different or more efficient ways of maintaining human health, understanding pathogen, and understanding the human cell biology.

Here, the technique is used to produce pharmaceutical drugs as well as other chemicals to combat diseases. It involves the study of bacteria, plant and animal cells to first understand the way they function at a fundamental level.

It heavily involves the study of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) to get to know how to manipulate the genetic makeup of cells to increase the production of beneficial characteristics that humans might find useful such as the production of insulin. The field usually leads to the development of new drugs and treatments, novel to the field.

Vaccines are chemicals that stimulate the bodys immune system to better fight pathogens when they attack the body. They achieve this by inserting attenuated (weakened) versions of the disease into the bodys bloodstream. This causes the body to react as if it was under attack from the non-attenuated version of the disease. The body combats the weakened pathogens and through the process takes note of the cell structure of the pathogens and has some cell remember the disease and store away the information within the body.

When the individual becomes exposed to the actual disease, the body of the individual immediately recognizes it and quickly forms a defense against it since it already has some information on it. This translates to quicker healing and less time being symptomatic.

The attenuated disease pathogens are extracted using biotechnological techniques such as growing the antigenic proteins in genetically engineered crops. An example is the development of an anti-lymphoma vaccine using genetically engineered tobacco plants made to exhibit RNA (A similar chemical to DNA) from malignant (actively cancerous) B-cells.

Strides have been made in the development of antibiotics that combat pathogens for humans. Many plants are grown and genetically engineered to produce the antibodies. The method is more cost effective than using cells or extracting these antibodies from animals as the plants can produce these antibodies in larger quantities.

Agricultural biotechnology focuses on developing genetically modified plants for the purpose of increasing crop yields or introducing characteristics to those plants that provide them with an advantage growing in regions that place some kind of stress factor on the plant namely weather and pests.

In some of the cases, the practice involves scientists identifying a characteristic, finding the gene that causes it, and then putting that gene within another plant so that it gains that desirable characteristic, making it more durable or having it produce larger yields than it previously did.

Biotechnology has provided techniques for the creation of crops that express anti pest characteristics naturally, making them very resistant to pests, as opposed to having to keep dusting them and spraying them with pesticides. An example of this would be the fungus Bacillus thuringiensis genes being transferred to crops.

The reason for this is that the fungus produces a protein (Bt) which is very effective against pests such as the European corn borer. The Bt protein is the desired characteristic scientist would like the plants to have and for this reason, they identified the gene causing Bt protein to express in the fungus and transferred it to corn. The corn then produces the protein toxin naturally, lowering the cost of production by eliminating the cost of dusting the crop with pesticide.

Selective breeding has been a practice humans have engaged in since farming began. The practice involves choosing the animals with the most desirable characteristics to breed with each other so that the resulting offspring would also express these traits. Desirable characteristics included larger animals, animals more resistant to disease and more domicile animals, all geared to making the process of farming as profitable as possible.

This practice has been transferred to the molecular level with the same purpose. Different traits are selected among the animals and once the genetic markers have been pointed out, animals and plants with those traits are selected and bred for those traits to be transferred. A genomic understanding of those traits is what informs the decisions on whether the desired traits will express or get lost as recessive traits which do not express.

This information provides the basis for making informed decisions enhancing the capability of the scientists to predict the expression of those genes. An example is its use in flower production where traits such as color and smell potency are enhanced.

One of the biggest uses of biotechnology is the infusion of nutrients into food in situations such as aid. Therefore, it provides food with heavy nutrients that are necessary in such situations. An example of this application is the production Golden Rice where the rice is infused with beta-carotene. The rice has Vitamin A, which the body can easily synthesise.

There is actually very little land on earth that is arable with some estimates place it at around 20 percent. With an increase in the worlds population, there is a need for the food sources available to be as effective as possible to produce as much food in as little space as possible. There is also need to have the crops grown to be able to make use of the less arable regions of the world.

This means that there is a need to develop crops that can handle these abiotic stresses such as salinity, drought and frost from cold. In Africa and the Middle East, for instance, where the climate can be unforgiving, the practice has played a significant role in the development of crops that can withstand the prevailing harsh climates.

The industrial applications of biotechnology range from the production of cellular structures to the production of biological elements for numerous uses. Examples include the creation of new materials in the construction industry, and the manufacture of beer and wine, washing detergents, and personal care products.

One of the materials with the strongest tensile strength is spider webs. Amongst other materials with the same cross sectional width, spider webs can take more tensional force before breaking than even steel. This silk has created a lot of interest with the possible production of materials made from silk including body armour such as bullet proof jackets. Silk is used because it is stronger than Kevlar (the material most commonly used to make body armour).

Biotechnological techniques have been used to pick the genes found in spiders and their infusion in goats to produce the silk proteins in their milk. With this initiative, it make production easier as goats are much easier to handle compared to spiders and the production of silk via milk also help make the processing and handling much easier compared to handling the actual silk strands.

One of the biggest applications of biotechnology is in the energy production sector. With fears over the dwindling oil resources in the world and their related environmental impacts, there is a need to protect the globes future by finding alternative environmentally friendly fuel sources. Biotechnology is allowing this to happen with advances such as using corn to produce combustible fuel for running car engines. These fuels are good for the environment as they do not produce the greenhouse gases.

Biotechnology is applied in the healthcare sector is the development of pharmaceuticals that have proven problematic to produce though other conventional means because of purity concerns.

A true environmentalist by heart . Founded Conserve Energy Future with the sole motto of providing helpful information related to our rapidly depleting environment. Unless you strongly believe in Elon Musks idea of making Mars as another habitable planet, do remember that there really is no 'Planet B' in this whole universe.

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What is Biotechnology: Types, Examples and Applications ...

Biotechnology, often abbreviated to biotech, is the area of biology that uses living processes, organisms or systems to manufacture products or technology intended to improve the quality of human life. Depending on the technology, tools and applications involved, biotechnology can overlap with molecular biology, bionics, bioengineering, genetic engineering and nanotechnology.

By harnessing cellular and biomolecular processes, scientists can make advances and adaptations to technology in various fields. Traditional processes include using living organisms in their natural form, breeding new living organisms or modifying their genetic makeup. Successful applications of such processes have resulted in treatment of disease, environmental impact reduction and more efficient use of natural resources. Major biotech companies implement biotechnology as a practice to bring medical devices and products to the mainstream market.

Biotechnology, like other advanced technologies, has the potential for misuse. Concern about this has led to efforts by some groups to enact legislation restricting or banning certain processes or programs, such as human cloning and embryonic stem-cell research. There is also concern that if biotechnological processes are used by groups with nefarious intent, the end result could be biological warfare.

The science of biotechnology can be broken down into sub-disciplines based on common uses and applications.

Modern biotechnology can be used for a variety of applications, including:

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What is biotechnology (biotech)? - Definition from WhatIs.com