module 1 biotechnology basics copyright © texas education agency 2012. all rights reserved

Module 1Biotechnology Basics

Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2012. All rights reserved.

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


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.


Common Tools of a Biotechnician


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



Demonstration of how to use the Electronic Balance

http://irtstaff.austincc.edu/aflores1/biotech/version1_links/vid_weighing.html

http://irtstaff.austincc.edu/aflores1/biotech/version1_links/vid_weighing.html

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


http://www.bioedonline.org/presentations/micropipettor/presentation.cfm

http://www.bioedonline.org/presentations/micropipettor/presentation.cfm

Gel Electrophoresis• A technique used to

separate molecules in a gel matrix when subjected to an electrical field


Preparing an agarose gel

Pouring an agarose gel


http://irtstaff.austincc.edu/aflores1/biotech/version1_links/vid_agarose.html

http://irtstaff.austincc.edu/aflores1/biotech/version1_links/vid_agarose.html

http://irtstaff.austincc.edu/aflores1/biotech/version1_links/vid_pouring.html

http://irtstaff.austincc.edu/aflores1/biotech/version1_links/vid_pouring.html

Microcentrifuge• Spins at a high speed

and can be used to separate particles in a liquid medium

• Holds tubes up to about 2 ml


Demonstration of a microcentrifuge


http://irtstaff.austincc.edu/aflores1/biotech/version1_links/vid_centrifuge.html

http://irtstaff.austincc.edu/aflores1/biotech/version1_links/vid_centrifuge.html

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.


Demonstration of pH Meter


http://irtstaff.austincc.edu/aflores1/biotech/version1_links/vid_phmeter.html

http://irtstaff.austincc.edu/aflores1/biotech/version1_links/vid_phmeter.html

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.


Equipment Start Up List


http://www.austincc.edu/biotech/startk12.php

http://www.austincc.edu/biotech/startk12.php

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



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.


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.



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



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.


Copyright © Texas Education A.gency 2012. All rights reserved.

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.



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



Virtual Tour of a Biotech Company



http://utopia.cord.org/txcollab_accbiotech/QA%20Visual%20Tour/BiotechInterface2.htm

http://utopia.cord.org/txcollab_accbiotech/QA%20Visual%20Tour/BiotechInterface2.htm

Resources


module 1 biotechnology basics copyright © texas education agency 2012. all rights reserved

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