Saturday, 15 October 2011

BIOTECHNOLOGY

Biotechnology is technology based on biology, especially when used in agriculture, food science, and medicine. The UN  Convention on Biological Diversity has come up with one of many definitions of biotechnology: "Biotechnology means any  technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products  or processes for specific use."

Traditional pharmaceutical drugs are small chemicals molecules that treat the symptoms of a disease or illness - one molecule  directed at a single target. Biopharmaceuticals are large biological molecules known as proteins and these target the  underlying mechanisms and pathways of a malady; it is a relatively young industry. They can deal with targets in humans that  are not accessible with traditional medicines. A patient typically is dosed with a small molecule via a tablet while a large  molecule is typically injected.

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