An Introduction to Biotechnology

W. T. Godbey is the Paul H. and Donna D. Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical and Bimolecular Engineering at Tulane University. He received his B.S. in Mathematics from Southern Methodist University in 1988. After a successful period that involved starting his own software design and development company in Dallas, Texas, he joined the fields of science and engineering and earned his PhD as a National Science Foundation Graduate Fellow from the Institute for Biosciences and Bioengineering at Rice University in 2000. From 2000-2003 he was a postdoctoral fellow at Childrens Hospital, Boston and Harvard Medical School. He joined the Tulane University faculty in 2003.

List of Figures
List of Tables
Preface
About the Author
Chapter 1: Membranes

Abstract
1.1 Membrane Lipids
1.2 Cholesterol
1.3 Membrane Proteins
Questions


Chapter 2: Proteins

Abstract
2.1 Amino Acids
2.2 Protein Structure
2.3 The Hydrophobic Effect
2.4 A Return to Membranes
Questions


Chapter 3: Cellular Transport

Abstract
3.1 Membrane Transporters
3.2 Vesicular Transporters: Endocytosis
3.3 Receptor Fates
3.4 Lysosomes Are for Degradation, But Are They Safe?
Questions


Chapter 4: Genes: The Blueprints for Proteins

Abstract
4.1 Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids
4.2 From Genes to Proteins
Questions


Chapter 5: Cell Growth

Abstract
5.1 The Eukaryotic Cell Cycle
5.2 Growth Curves and Their Phases
5.3 Mathematics of the Growth Curve
5.4 Counting Cell Numbers
5.5 Counting Cell Mass
5.6 Scale-Up
Questions


Chapter 6: Microbial Killing

Abstract
6.1 The Gram Stain
6.2 Microbial Resistance to Killing
6.3 Sterilization, Disinfection, and Sanitization
6.4 Microbial Cell Death
Questions


Chapter 7: Cell Culture and the Eukaryotic Cells Used in Biotechnology

Abstract
7.1 Adherent Cells Versus Nonadherent Cells
7.2 Primary Cells, Cancer Cells, and Cell Lines
Questions


Chapter 8: Fluorescence

Abstract
8.1 Stokes' Experiments
8.2 Fluorophore Properties
8.3 Fluorescence Detection
8.4 FRET
Questions


Chapter 9: Locating Transcriptional Control Regions: Deletion Analysis

Abstract
9.1 An Example of Deletion Analysis
Questions


Chapter 10: Agarose Gels

Abstract
10.1 Application of Agarose Gels: Gel Shift
10.2 Application of Agarose Gels: DNA Footprinting
10.3 Application of Agarose Gels: Restriction Analysis
Questions


Chapter 11: The Polymerase Chain Reaction

Abstract
11.1 Melt
11.2 Anneal
11.3 Extend
11.4 PCR Loops
11.5 An Application of Traditional PCR
11.6 Traditional Versus Real-Time PCR
11.7 Real-Time PCR
Questions


Chapter 12: Genetic Engineering

Abstract
12.1 Plasmid Architecture
12.2 Molecular Cloning
12.3 A Single Plasmid Is Not Enough
12.4 Spectrophotometry
12.5 What We Have Learned so Far
Questions


Chapter 13: Gene Delivery

Abstract
13.1 Gene Delivery Vehicles: An Overview
13.2 Gene Methods in Greater Detail
13.3 Preparation of Nonviral Gene Delivery Complexes
Questions


Chapter 14: RNAi

Abstract
14.1 Cosuppression
14.2 RNA Interference
14.3 miRNA
Questions


Chapter 15: DNA Fingerprinting

Abstract
15.1 Older DNA Fingerprinting Uses RFLPs
15.2 Newer DNA Fingerprinting Uses STRs
Questions


Chapter 16: Fermentation, Beer, and Biofuels

Abstract
16.1 Glycolysis
16.2 Fermentation
16.3 The Production of Beer
16.4 Fermentation to Produce Biofuels
Questions


Chapter 17: Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering

Abstract
17.1 Potential
17.2 An Alternate View of Stem Cells
17.3 Using Stem Cells
17.4 Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
17.5 Bioreactors
17.6 Polymeric Scaffolds
17.7 Bringing it all Together: A Tissue Engineering Application
Questions


Chapter 18: Transgenics

Abstract
18.1 Ice-Minus Bacteria
18.2 Bt Plants
18.3 Herbicide Resistance
18.4 Tomatoes
18.5 Rice
18.6 Terminators and Traitors
Questions


Chapter 19: Patents and Licenses

Abstract
19.1 Types of Patents
19.2 Licenses
19.3 After a License Is Granted
Questions


Index