Module 1Biotechnology Basics
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Lessons for Module 11.1 Overview of Biotechnology1.2 Cell Structure and Function1.3 DNA Structure and Function1.4 Protein Synthesis1.5 Protein Structure and Function1.6 Math Skills1.7 Lab Overview
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Goals for Lesson 1.7Identify 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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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
Common Tools of a Biotechnician
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Demonstration of how to use the Electronic Balance
Common Tools of a BiotechnicianMicropipette
• 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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Gel Electrophoresis• A technique used to
separate molecules in a gel matrix when subjected to an electrical field
Common Tools of a Biotechnician
Preparing an agarose gel
Pouring an agarose gel
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Microcentrifuge• Spins at a high speed
and can be used to separate particles in a liquid medium
• Holds tubes up to about 2 ml
Common Tools of a Biotechnician
Demonstration of a microcentrifuge
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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.
Common Tools of a Biotechnician
Demonstration of pH Meter
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Helpful Resources for a High School Biotech Lab
General Lab Safety GuidelinesNever 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.Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2012. All rights reserved.
Companies sell comprehensive biotechnology lab stations.
Partner with local community colleges.
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Equipment Start Up List
Helpful Resources for a High School Biotech Lab
Maintain a lab notebookTo record what was done and observedTo trace the manufacture of a productTo verify a procedure was done correctlyTo develop and adhere to standard operating
procedures
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Helpful Resources for a High School Biotech Lab
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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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.
Organization of a Biotech Company
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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
Organization of a Biotech Company
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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.
Organization of a Biotech Company
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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.
Organization of a Biotech Company
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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
Organization of a Biotech Company
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Virtual Tour of a Biotech Company
Organization of a Biotech Company
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Resources
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