The National Institute Of Science And Media

Transgenic Fish Commencing The Blue Revolution

2008-01-20T20:32:00.000-08:00

Genetic engineering processes are being applied to a wide variety of organisms. Aquatic animals are being engineered to increase aquaculture production, for medical and industrial research, and for ornamental reasons.

By using recombinant DNA techniques rather than traditional mating, scientists have created transgenic fish. The” new” DNA is introduced into the fish either by direct insertion into the eggs or by subjecting them to electric pulses.

The fast booming application of transgenic fish technology has led to many valuable discoveries in different disciplines of the biological sciences, many of which could potentially lead to the next breakthrough in new treatments for human diseases.

The National Institute of Science and Media along with distinguished writer Joel Ball has a series of books published on biotechnology and science which provide an in-depth knowledge on the recent advances made in the field.

To learn more about the other NISM titles call 866-647-6123

Biotechnology Helps To Cure Autism In Mice.

2008-01-20T20:31:00.000-08:00

Researchers at MIT’s Picower institute for learning and memory have reversed almost all symptoms of fragile x syndrome in a mouse model for the disease. In human beings and in mice, fragile x syndrome is the common inherited cause of mental retardation and autism.

The researchers found that a 50 percent reduction in the production of mGluR5 eased the fragile X syndrome’s symptoms such as seizures and problems related to the eye, nerves, brain, memory and body growth.

This research holds great hope for the treatment of autism in human beings.
The National Institute of Science and Media keeps account of the recent breakthroughs in the world of science.

The National Institute of Science and Media publishes various books on biotechnology and life sciences written by eminent researchers like Joel Ball.

Biotechnology Is Used For Environment Friendly Mining

2008-01-20T20:23:00.000-08:00

In the past few years, the mining industry has been turning to more efficient and environmentally salubrious method for extracting minerals from ores. The use of bacterium thiobacillus ferooxidans to leach copper from mine tailings has improved recovery rates and reduced operating costs to a large extent.

Thiobaccillus ferooxidans, is naturally present in certain sulfur containing materials .The bacterium thiobaccillus ferooxidans obtains energy by oxidizing inorganic materials, such as copper sulfide minerals. This process releases sulfuric acid and an oxidizing solution of ferric irons, which can wash out metals from crude ore. Poor quality copper ore is treated with sulfuric acid to facilitate the growth of the bacterium.

Bioming is the most important of application of biotechnology today.Bioming is alsoused to extract gold from very low grade sulfide gold ores.

The National Institute of Science and Media along with distinguished writer Joel Ball publish various study resources on biotechnology and the other branches of biology.

To learn more about NISM publications call 866-647-6123

Genetically Engineered Vaccines - Courtesy Biotechnology

2008-01-20T20:22:00.000-08:00

Genetically engineered vaccines either contain one or a few major antigens of the pathogenic agent that are capable of producing a neutralizing immune response upon infection. Diseases that affect a large proportion of the world's population are on top of the priority for list for recombinant vaccines.

Scientists have successfully produced the world’s first genetically engineered vaccine against hepatitis B from the surface antigen HbsAg, derived from the yeast cells. The genetically engineered vaccine not only prevents hepatitis B but also its serious consequences like hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer).

Human diseases such as measles, polio, tuberculosis, leprosy and malaria may someday get eradicated by the use of genetically engineered vaccines.

The National Institute of Science and a Media keeps a close eye on the breakthroughs in biotechnology and science. Joel Ball is a well-known authority on biotechnology and has various titles published under NISM publications to his credit.

Biotechnology Transforms Animal Waste to Human Wealth

2008-01-20T20:14:00.000-08:00

A North Carolina State University scientist has developed a system called thermophilic anaerobic digestion, which converts animal waste into various useful products, including methane gas for fuel, liquid nutrients for aquaculture, and nutrient-rich feed additives for the poultry and livestock industries.

The thermophilic anaerobic digestion process involves enclosing animal waste in containers with heat-loving bacteria. The waste in the digester unit is heated to more than 115 degrees F. Bacteria in the digester then convert the waste into biogas, which can be used as fuel. The bacteria also destroy pathogens in the solid residue that remains. These by-products can then be processed as sanitary, nutrient-rich feed supplements.

The demonstration projects in North Carolina indicate that the thermal recyclers are very productive.

This simple method for processing animal waste, may someday lead to the productive use of the 500 million tons of poultry and livestock waste produced in the United States each year.

The National Institute of Science and Media keeps update information on the latest developments in the field of biotechnology and science. Distinguished writer, Joel Ball is at the fore front of all the publications of National Institute of Science and Media.

To know more about the books published by the NISM ,click here

Genes and Inheritance of an Illness

2008-01-20T20:13:00.000-08:00

Sickle cell anaemia is an inherited blood disorder which mostly affects people of the African dynasty. It is believed that the sickle cell aneamia is the result of a gene mutation which occurred thousands of years ago in Africa due to malaria.

In the United States, approximately eight percent of African Americans have sickle aneamia trait and one in every five hundred have the disease.

Sickle cell anaemia is a blood disorder that affects the haemoglobin, a protein that fills the red blood cells and carries oxygen throughout the body. Sickle cell anemia occurs when a person inherits two abnormal genes that cause the disc shaped red blood cells to change their shape to crescent.

Medical genetics is constantly working on the treatment for the genetic disease such as sickle anaemia .

The National Institute of Science and Media have various titles on the subject of biotechnology and other branches of life science. Joel Ball, is a distinguished writer on the various study resources pertaining to biotechnology and other related subjects under the NISM name

Biotechnology Begins A New Industrial Revolution.

2008-01-20T20:06:00.000-08:00

With the advent of biotechnology a new age has arrived in the industrial sector. The industrial biotechnology is facilitating a new industrial revolution that can bring a cleaner future with better products at lower cost.

The industrial biotechnology is revolutionizing the way we can produce energy, chemicals, electricity, hydrogen and other products. By harnessing nature’s unique ability to make biocatalyst, industrial biotechnology can now be employed to convert previously unusable agricultural waste products to energy and biodegradable products.

Industrial biotechnology is widely applied in the industrial sector to manufacture various products such as biohydrogen, biopolymers, ethanol, nutritional oil, rayon, vegetable oil, vitamins.

Students and researchers can get in-depth knowledge on various aspects of biotechnology from the books published by the National Institute of Science and Media.Joel Ball, is an eminent writer on biotechnology and science under the NISM publications.

To know more about Biotechnology you can our visit our website by clicking here.

Cloning For the Revival Of The Endangered Species

2008-01-20T20:02:00.000-08:00

Reproductive cloning is regarded as having a potential for conserving endangered wildlife species. A recent breakthrough in biotechnology has been the successful cloning of endangered wild Asian ox (Bos gaurus).

The scientists have successfully cloned the endangered species by electro fusing fibroblasts cells from the animal’s skin with enucleated bovine oocytes.The genome of the animal was gaurus in origin whereas the mitochondrial DNA was bovine.

In the future, the same technique may be used to clone an extinct bucardo mountain goat from preserved cells by using the present day goats as host mothers. Cloning is definitely going to enhance the biodiversity by ensuring the existence of rare breeds and endangered species.

The National Institute of Science and Media keeps a close eye on the latest developments in the world of life science. Joel Ball is a well known authority on biotechnology and has many titles published under the NISM name.

Tobacco To Be Used In a Vaccine for Amoeobiasis

2008-01-18T03:19:00.000-08:00

For many people, tobacco represents a death sentence due to inflicting nicotine addiction, lung cancer, etc. But for the people of Central and South America at risk for amoebiasis, tobacco could instead be a lifesaver.

The researchers at the University of Central Florida have been able to produce a protein against amoebiasis, a disease caused by the parasite entamoeba hisolytica, from genetically engineered tobacco plants.

According to the researchers, the antigen derived from the genetically modified tobacco plant was found to be more efficient than the other genetically engineered plants.Further development in this method could pave way for low cost oral vaccines.

The National Institute of Science and Media is at the forefront when it comes to the information on the advances made in the field of science and biotechnology.

Joel Ball, the lead author on various study resources published on biotechnology and science under the NISM name is an established author in scientific and publishing circles.

Biopesticides For a Better Environment

2008-01-18T03:16:00.000-08:00

Often the use of several synthetic and artificial pesticides is harmful to beneficial insects, domestic animals as well as human beings. Biopesticides can serve as an effective measure in protecting plants without affecting the ecosystem.

Biopesticides are certain types of pesticides which are derived from natural materials such as animals, plants, bacteria and certain minerals. They work by activating the natural systems in plants and insects to work as pesticides.

Microbial pesticides for example consist of a microorganism like fungus, virus, or protozoa that have natural abilities to control the growth of certain weeds or to kill specific insects.

Sometimes plants are injected with genetic material that produces the substance which destroys the pest, for example, the gene for the Bt pesticidal protein is introduced into the plants genetic material.

Biochemical pesticides are naturally occurring substances such as insect sex pheromones which interfere with mating and thus help to reduce the insect population.

To know more about the benefits of biopesticides on the environment, you can refer to the various books published by the National Institute of Science and Media.

Joel Ball, the lead author on the various titles published under the NISM name is a renowned figure in the scientific and publishing circle.

DNA Technology Is Used As Tool For Crime Investigation

2008-01-18T02:58:00.000-08:00

DNA isolated from the blood, hair, skin cells, etc is used to identify individuals. The difference in the sequence of the base pairs helps to detect the nature of the crime and the criminals.
Forensic scientists scan 13 DNA regions and use the data to create a DNA profile of that individual. Some of the DNA technologies used in forensic investigations are; Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFPL), PCR analysis, Mitochondrial DNA analysis, Y-chromosome analysis.

The crime investigation scenario has tremendously changed with the arrival of DNA technology.

The titles published under the National Institute of Science and Media have information on the latest applications of biotechnology and other branches of science.

Joel Ball, is the lead author on biotechnology and various science subjects under the NISM name.

Tobacco: New Resource Of Sugar

2008-01-18T02:56:00.000-08:00

Fructose is a sweetener used in many food products, primarily as a substitute for sucrose. The main reason for its rising popularity with the food manufacturers is the availability of large quantities of corn starch, which can be enzymatically converted to fructose on an industrial scale.

An alternative and a cheap source of fructose production could be fructans, the storage carbohydrates in many plants. Fructans are multiple fructose polymers, which can be enzymatically or chemically hydrolyzed to yield fructose.

Tobacco plants which are inserted with the gene of the bacterium bacillus subtilis levansucrase (SacB) are found to accumulate a stable amount of fructan similar to that produced by the microbe. The level of fructan accumulation in these transgenic tobacco plants is quite impressive and ranges between 3-8 percent of the total plant dry weight.

Transgenic tobacco plants may pave way for the production of low cost sugar from other crop plants.

The National Institute of Science and Media keeps a close eye on the recent advances made in the field of biotechnology and other life sciences.

The lead author, Joel Ball is a well established authority on biotechnology and has been at fore front of all the research and titles that have been published under the NISM name.

To know more about other NISM publications click here.

Transgenic Animals A Necessity For Human Welfare

2008-01-18T02:49:00.000-08:00

Nowadays, breakthroughs in molecular biology are happening at an unprecedented rate. One of them is the ability to create transgenic animals such as cows,mice,rats,rabbits,pigs and sheep.

Since the discovery of the molecular structure of DNA by Watson and Crick in 1953, molecular biological research has gained momentum. Molecular biology technology combines techniques and expertise from biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, developmental biology and microbiology.

The fundamental principle in the creation of transgenic animals is the introduction of a foreign gene or genes into the animal. There are three basic methods that are used in transgenic technology known as DNA microinjection, retrovirus-mediated gene transfer and embryonic stem cell-mediated gene transfer.

The contribution of transgenic animals to human welfare is enormous. Transgenic cows produce more milk with lesser amount of lactose; transgenic sheep yield more quantity of wool.

The National Institute of Science and Media publishes books pertaining to molecular biology and science written by renowned researchers like Joel Ball.

You can have more information on books published by the National Institute of Science and Media by clicking here.

Genetics a New Trail For Medical Advancement

2008-01-18T02:45:00.000-08:00

The miraculous substance, DNA, which contains all the genetic instructions, is rapidly becoming a key to modern medicine. By focusing on the diaphanous and extraordinarily long filaments of DNA, scientists are finding the root causes of dozens of previously mysterious diseases.

Recently, scientists have made spectacular progress against a fatal genetic disease, cystic fibrosis, affecting children. The scientists have succeeded in correcting the gene defect inside living human cells by inserting healthy genes into these cells in a laboratory dish.

The Progress in the field of medical genetics is gaining momentum. Scientists are constantly trying to work on effective ways to cure genetic disorders.

The National Institute of Science and Media keeps you informed on the recent advances in biotechnology and science through the various titles published on the subject. Joel Ball, the lead author of the titles published under the NISM name is a renowned figure in publishing and scientific circles.

To know more about the books published by NISM, click here.

Transgenic Plants Are Going To Reshape Agriculture

2008-01-18T02:37:00.000-08:00

A transgenic plant contains a gene or genes which have been artificially inserted in the plant instead of pollination. The inserted gene sequence may come from another distinct plant, or from a completely different species for example, transgenic Bt corn, which produces its own insecticide, contains a gene from a bacterium.

Transgenic plant technology enables plant breeders to generate more useful and productive crop varieties containing new combinations of genes. With the help of this technology plant breeders have been able to generate disease resistant, high yielding and climatic change tolerant plants

Transgenic plant technology is surely going to revolutionize the agricultural sector.

The National Institute of Science and Media has wide-range of books on biotechnology and other branches of science.

Joel Ball, the lead author on the various titles published under the NISM name is a renowned figure in the scientific and publishing circle.

Biotechnology For A Green And Clean Environment

2008-01-18T02:26:00.000-08:00

The innovations in biotechnology have revolutionized the agricultural and industrial sector. The productions of biofuels, with plant and animal waste have helped to resolve the energy crisis of the world.

Bioethanol is a common form of biofuel that is used worldwide.Bioethanol can be produced from corn, sugar beet, sugar cane and wheat using production methods such as enzymatic digestion, fermentation of the sugars, distillation and drying.

In the future, biotechnology assures to produce billions of gallons of ethanol using more efficient means to meet the growing demand for biofuel.

For the latest information on the advances made in the field of biotechnology and science you can refer to the books published by the National Institute of Science and Media. Joel Ball is the lead author on various study resources under the NISM publications.

Visit us online for more information on NISM publications.

Genetic Testing a New Tool to Identify a Genetic Disorder

2008-01-18T02:25:00.000-08:00

Genetic testing is a type of a medical test that identifies changes in human DNA, RNA, chromosomes, and proteins and also detects a genetic disorder. Genetic testing can not only identify the presence of a genetic disorder but also anticipate the occurrence of any disease in the future.

The types of genetic testing in current use are; newborn screening, diagnostic testing, carrier testing, prenatal testing, predictive and presymptomatic testing, forensic testing.

With advances in technology and additional knowledge concerning the relationship between genetic variations in health, genetic testing will soon become a routine part of healthcare for all.

The National Institute of Science and Media and Joel Ball are always on the forefront with latest inputs on the various developments in the field of genetics and biotechnology in their publications.

To know more about the various books on biotechnology you can visit the website of NISM publications by clicking here.

Biotechnology Resurrects The Hawaiian Papaya Industry

2008-01-14T20:57:00.000-08:00

In1992, Hawaii’s papaya crop was found to be infected with ring spot virus. After numerous efforts to stem the spread of virus, the researchers at the Universities of Cornell and Hawaii respectively developed a virus resistant papaya plant through biotechnology.

The development of the commercial virus-resistant transgenic papaya trees provides a tangible approach to control papaya ring spot virus (PRSV) in Hawaii. Today, these genetically modified papaya trees serve as buffers to prevent the spread of PRSV to non-resistant and conventional papaya trees.

This outstanding contribution of biotechnology is the main reason for the survival of Hawaii’s $16 million papaya industry. Biotechnology is also a leading source of employment and economic development in Hawaii.

The National Institute of Science Media keeps a close watch on the latest breakthroughs in the field of biotechnology . Joel Ball is a renowned authority on biotechnology and has been publishing several books on the subject under the NISM publications.

To know more about National Institute of Science Media publications and Joel Ball you can visit us online by clicking here.

Genetic Engineering A Boon To Mankind

2008-01-13T19:57:00.000-08:00

The field of biotechnology defines genetic engineering as, “a set of technologies that are being used to change the genetic makeup of cells and move genes across species boundaries to produce novel organisms”.
Through genetic engineering organisms are given new combinations of genes, giving rise to new combinations of traits which do not generally occur in nature.
Genetic engineering endeavors have found success in improving crop technology, in the manufacture of human insulin through the use of modified bacteria and in the development of new types of experimental mice, etc.
The National Institute of Science is a leading publisher of books related to biotechnology and other branches of science.
For more knowledge on NISM publications you can visit the website by clicking here.

Better Food For The World – Courtesy Biotechnology:

2008-01-07T04:17:00.000-08:00

Biotechnology can be defined as a scientific technique that is used to make or modify the products of living organisms in order to improve plants or animals or to develop useful microorganisms.

The advances made in biotechnology results in crops with a wide range of desirable traits that can directly benefit farmers, consumers and the environment besides increasing global food production and quality.

Biotech scientists are exploring the genetic modification of food crops to achieve desirable characteristics like high yield, increased protein or oil production, disease and pest resistance, etc. There are few commercial products that have been marketed for use in plant agriculture as well, with the main focus placed on the production of plants that are resistant to specific herbicides.

This developed resistance allows crops to be sprayed with a particular herbicide to kill only weeds and not the genetically engineered crop species. Resistance to viral plant diseases are induced in the crop species by transforming plants with portions of the viral genome that are resistant to that particular virus.

The National Institute of Science Media (NISM) is a leading publisher of study resources on the various branches of science. The lead author, Joel Ball, is a well-established authority on biotechnology and has been at the fore-front of all the research and titles that have been published under the NISM name.

To know more about other NISM publications you can click here.

The Life Sciences:

2007-12-18T05:15:00.001-08:00

The study of Life Sciences covers a broad field that studies living organisms. Fields like biochemistry, botany, cell biology, genetics and molecular biology are some of the branches covered by this term.

The National Institute of Science Media is a leading publisher of research and study oriented books in the field of science and its various branches. Joel Ball, the lead author at the NISM is a renowned figure in scientific and publishing circles. Under the NISM name he has published books elaborating upon the study of biotechnology and science.

Students and researchers alike can benefit from the NISM biotechnology and science series which provide an in-depth analysis on subjects like biopharmaceuticals, bioengineering, biochemicals, clinical research methods, embryology, molecular diagnostics, etc.

Mankind’s Little Helpers:

2007-12-14T06:55:00.001-08:00

50 to 100 million, that’s the number of vertebrate animals that scientists worldwide use for experimental reasons annually. An even larger number of invertebrates are used for scientific research, but these experiments on the whole are unregulated by the law and not calculated in annual statistics.

These ‘laboratory animals’ are mostly bred in research labs, and even fewer numbers are caught from the wild or are obtained from pounds. Mice, monkeys, dogs, sheep, fruit flies, birds are some of the common animals used for research purposes. Many animals have been instrumental in helping scientists win Nobel accolades as well. For instance, penicillin was tested on mice, organ transplants were experimented using dogs, etc.

While the subject of animal research is rather controversial to say the least; but scientific and medical research development is quite unimaginable without experiments being conducted on animals, birds, insects and fish.

Some of the common fields of animal research include experiments conducted for cosmetic, drug, toxicology, xenotransplantation, mutagenesis, developmental biology, evolutionary studies and pharmaceutical testing.

The National Institute of Science Media [NISM] is a leading publisher of study resources on the various branches of science. Joel Ball, lead author of the many study resources and career mentoring programs published under the NISM name is an established author in scientific and publishing circles.

Human Evolution Acceleration:

2007-12-14T05:49:00.001-08:00

Today there are an estimated 6 billion people populating planet Earth. In spite of the many terrors that modern man has created [read nuclear weapons, advanced machinery, global warming, medicine wars, etc.] the Homo sapien race has flourished rather well.

Numerous developments in medicine, machinery and agriculture have also facilitated human survival in adverse environs. The human race today can attempt to claim that it can adapt to any environment, albeit a little hesitantly. But such an advanced state of development can hardly point out with clarity that the human race has stopped evolving.

A new study pointing to a contrary situation is doing the rounds in scientific circles today though. According to this study, human evolution has accelerated in the past 40,000 years and has zoomed a 100 times ahead in the past 5000 years alone. The fact that an increasing number of human beings are inter-breeding is apparently inconsequential if this analysis is anything to go by.

These proceedings indicate human evolution acceleration in about 1800 genes, roughly making up 7 percent of the human genome. According to John Hawks, lead author of the University of Wisconsin in Madison, a major segment of the mutation is the result of intense population booms.

Such mutation can be good news for us humans as scientists believe that the more the mutations, the better are the chances of genes that can improve human survival. Though research and data are still being collated to further this study, there are several advances that have been made.

If human evolutionary acceleration is really to be believed then there may be hope for improving resistance to diseases like malaria, AIDS and yellow fever. The National Institute of Science Media [NISM] is a leading publisher of study resources and material pertaining to the sciences and related fields.

Joel Ball, lead author of the titles published under the NISM name is a renowned figure in publishing and scientific circles. To know more about the books published by the NISM, click here.

Biotech careers:

2007-12-11T05:44:00.000-08:00

Biotechnology is not all about white coated doctors hovering around petri-dishes and microscopes, finding out ways to make medicines and drugs better. The field of biotechnology is much more than that and holds immense career growth potential for a student.

The ‘biological revolution’ has led to a diversification in the field of biotechnology, encompassing an extensive choice of careers. Knowledge of biology, chemistry and other life sciences is necessary for a student to venture into this field.

Biotech students can put their knowledge to use in agriculture, biology, medicine, genetics and education, livestock production, environmental protection, veterinary medicine, plant science, forensics, energy production and even in corporate laboratories.

For students interested in biotechnology but without extensive expertise there are regulatory and authorizer positions which they can take up. A student can pursue a job in sales and marketing where intensive knowledge of biological processes and products can add value to the profession.

A job as a patent lawyer can also be very lucrative as a lot of corporations, universities, private research organizations and scientists have need of legal services to protect their discoveries and rights.

The career avenues that can be pursued in biotechnology are many and the National Institute of Science Media can be your guide to realizing where your contribution to the field lies. Joel Ball has published books and career resources pertaining to biotechnology and its study under the NISM name.

Visit us at www.w2il.org to know more about our other career resources.

Customized Medicines:

2007-12-10T21:23:00.002-08:00

Ever wondered what would happen if you take a pill that perfectly understands your body and knows just how to make you well? It might not be that long before such a pill is actually prescribed by doctors and physicians if scientists dealing in a branch of medicine called pharmacogenomics have anything to go by.

Bioengineers have long been in the midst of developing medicines that are easier on the human body. The interaction between an individual’s genetic makeup and a particular drug or medicine is what they closely observe.

The study of pharmacogenomics combines the sciences of pharmaceuticals and genetics and tires to understand the DNA variations in the human genome. The immediate environment, personal diet, age, lifestyle, etc. are key factors that control the manner in which the human body responds to medicines, besides the genetic makeup of a body.

Biotechnology holds a lot of hope for the human generation. By developing drugs that understand and know how to adapt to an individual’s inherent genes, it aims to create safer and more efficient ways of treatment.

Joel Ball, President of the National Institute of Science Media [NISM] is a well-established publisher of books and study resources in the field of biotechnology and other sciences. Inputs for NISM books dealing with biotechnology come from renowned researchers, biologists, scientists and doctors.

Visit us online for books that enrich your life and enhance your mind.

Helping The Immune System:

2007-12-10T21:23:00.001-08:00

A functioning individual’s immune system is the natural shield the body uses to keep viruses, bacteria and other disease causing organisms at bay. But unlike the respiratory system or the circulatory system, the immune system is a collection of mechanisms that are triggered into action as soon as it detects a virus.

For the immune system to detect and successfully destroy an invading virus or bacteria, it is vital that it distinguishes between the infectors and the body’s own healthy cells and tissues. This is a complex task though as these infectors are constantly evolving and adapting themselves to the characteristics of the host.

The good news is the extent to which the human body has evolved. Our adaptability to the various ills that come with a continuously changing world has helped arm the immune system better.

The progress made by immunoinformatics has greatly contributed in fortifying the human body further. Vaccines, drugs, antibiotics, organ transplants, etc. are the new defenses that have been developed by medical science to aid the immune system in its battle against pathogens.

The study of immunoinformatics is an emerging field of study that comes under bioinformatics. The advances made in this field of biotechnology are still being worked upon and developed by scientists.

New discoveries are being made every day in the research laboratories. The field has a bright scope for young minds looking to establish a career in the science of biotechnology. Visit the National Institute of Science Media for research and study material on biotechnology and related branches of science.

oel Ball is a renowned publisher of life enhancing books that enrich the mind of the student and researcher alike.

The Technology Of Cloning:

2007-12-10T21:22:00.002-08:00

The term ‘clone’ has its etymological roots in the Greek word for ‘branch’ thus highlighting the origin of the biological science of creating a duplicate of a biological organism. You basically are cloning a plant when you grow it from a cutting. Cloning is also used to refer to the occurrence of asexual reproduction in an organism.

Scientists have been conducting and closely monitoring cloning activities for years. In 1997, the first mammal, a sheep named Dolly, was successfully cloned by scientists. This development in the field of biotechnology paved the path for growing awareness around this particular field of research.

There are three main types of cloning technologies. DNA cloning or recombinant DNA technology, which refers to transferring fragments of DNA from one organism to a genetic element that is capable of replicating itself. Molecular biology is one of the main proponents of this technology.

A second type of cloning process involves creating an animal using nuclear DNA that belongs to another animal. This type of cloning is known as reproductive cloning. The most famous example of reproductive cloning is Dolly the sheep.

Therapeutic cloning or embryo cloning is the third type of cloning technology that comes under the study of cloning. It refers to the generation of human embryos for research purposes. This type of cloning method is largely used by biomedical researchers to observe the development of the human body and find a cure for diseases and ailments.

Of all the cloning processes, embryo cloning has received the most amount of criticism as the embryo is completely destroyed during the extraction procedure. But biologists are convinced that stem cells [which are used in this process] can cure Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and other diseases one day.

It is this hope that has spurred the progress of cloning technologies. Visit the National Institute of Science Media [NISM] for resources and reading material on the science of biomedical engineering. Joel Ball, the President, is a veteran publisher of books that are useful for the student and scientist alike.

Biodegradable Plastics:

2007-12-10T21:22:00.001-08:00

When seen from an environmental point of view, the dominance plastic has over our daily lives is frightening. Each time we use a plastic container we are adding to the plastic waste that dots the landscape. And you can forget about it getting absorbed in the soil. Plastic does not take kindly to decomposition.

Plastic is manufactured from non-renewable sources like coal, natural gas and oil and due to this, organisms that do all the dirty work of decomposition find it difficult to break and assimilate the polymer molecules that make up regular plastic. This renders traditional plastic non-degradable and a veritable threat to the environment.

The science of biotechnology has been consistently trying to change the make-up of plastic by researching processes that can produce plastic that is biodegradable. There has been some progress made in the search with the discovery of bioplastics or green plastics.

There are certain natural polymers found in starch obtained from cereal plants, tubers, etc. which are processed to produce a bioplastic called polylactide [PLA]. Another popular bioplastic called polyhydroxyalkanoate [PHA] is obtained from bacteria.

These green plastics have found application in a variety of goods like pots, disposable nappies, candy wrappers, etc. They do come with certain limitations though as bioplastic production involves considerable cost as compared to traditional plastics.

If biotechnology does succeed in producing a plastic that will completely replace traditional plastic then Mother Nature is certain to heave a huge sigh of relief. PLAs have molecules that can be broken down easily by organisms. The production of PLA also reduces 68 percent of the greenhouse gases that are produced by regular plastic.

For now, hopes are pinned on biotech research for a solution to replace plastic. The National Institute of Science Media publishes books on biotechnology and other branches of science. Our guides and resources throw light on the various aspects of biotechnology and biotech research.

To know more visit us online at www.w2il.org.

All Fueled Up:

2007-12-10T21:21:00.000-08:00

China and the United States are two of the biggest oil consumers and producers of carbon dioxide in the world. Currently plans are on for reaching an agreement to promote the use of biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel. In view of the efforts to reduce greenhouse gases, this pact comes as a forward step in the fight against global warming.

Biofuels are developed from biomass, which actually implies the by-products of plants, animals and any other recently living organisms. The simple processes and equipments that go into the production of biofuels render them optimum choices to meet transportation fuel needs. The materials that go into their making are usually locally available.

The primary utilizers of biofuels were the rural communities which use them till date. They use biogases like methane which they produce from animal, food and crop wastes.

Experts fear that large scale biofuel productions could lead to a drain of agricultural production steering it away from food crops if not managed properly. Biofuels are essentially the result of a synergy between technology and the environment and maintaining this synergy is possible only with a thorough understanding of these two areas.

The field of biotechnology is a major contributor to the study of biofuels. All the processes of biotech find application in the production and processing of biofuels. Advances in this field are being made every day and scientists are looking towards biofuels to curb the problems caused by the release of toxic gases.

Visit the National Institute of Science Media for some of the best resources in the field of biotechnology. Professional biotechnologists have contributed towards the compilation of these resources.

A high sense of ethics and a professional outlook have been employed by the President Joel Ball and all those working under him at the NISM. Know more about NISM and Joel Ball online at www.w2il.org

Biopharm And Biotech:

2007-12-10T21:20:00.000-08:00

A study sponsored by the drug industry found that life science companies account for a diminutive, but growing part of the state’s economy. The study highlights the multiplier effect in the current pharmaceutical industry. For every job that it generates, an additional five jobs are created in another industry.

A career in the biopharmaceutical field can be very lucrative as biotech organizations and drug corporations compensate generously. There is a wide selection of jobs that are available for the picking. A student could be a biostatistician, a chemist, or even a clinical programmer.

Drug safety specialists, microbiologists, pathologists and toxicologists are some of the higher paying jobs in this field. A student can also apply for a job in the writing field as a technical or medical writer. The opportunities are endless and the best of the biopharm companies are hiring in numbers.

The National Institute of Science Media under the helm of Joel Ball, the President, publishes career books for students in the field of biotechnology. Each book is thoroughly researched and verified before the writing process begins. After meeting rigorous standards of quality a study material is published. Our medical writers possess a technical bent and intimately understand the student mind.

To know more about NISM and Joel Ball visit us online and avail of proactive resources that will assist you in obtaining the best jobs that are currently available in the field of biotechnology.

The National Institute of Science Media – What We Are:

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The National Institute of Science Media [NISM] is a non-profit charitable publishing organization that has been in the running since 1997. The NISM was started as a link between educators, business leaders and other community influentials who want to encourage and mentor young adults in their career decisions. NISM also provides resources for understanding the relation education has to specific career paths.

At the nexus of this renowned organization is Joel Ball who is the president and publisher of NISM. He has been in the publishing business since 1980 and has an illustrious history of providing students with the best study aids and career resources with a line of well-researched books.

Joel Ball has been hiring the best brains in the freelance writing profession for each publication that has come out under the NISM name since the past decade. He has been instrumental in hiring thousands of writers for a diverse range of titles.

A high sense of ethics and a professional outlook employed by Joel Ball and all those working under him at the NISM has made it a name to respect in the field of education.

The ‘Sharing Wisdom Series’, the ‘School to Work Series’, the ‘History of Commerce Series’ and the ‘NISM Series’ are some of the titles published by Joel Ball under the NISM name. Currently the NISM is engaged in the production of a new book series entitled the ‘Business of Public Knowledge’.