{"title":"Intersection of toxicogenomics and high throughput screening in the Tox21 program: an NIEHS perspective.","authors":"B Alex Merrick, Richard S Paules, Raymond R Tice","doi":"10.1504/IJBT.2015.074797","DOIUrl":"10.1504/IJBT.2015.074797","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Humans are exposed to thousands of chemicals with inadequate toxicological data. Advances in computational toxicology, robotic high throughput screening (HTS), and genome-wide expression have been integrated into the Tox21 program to better predict the toxicological effects of chemicals. Tox21 is a collaboration among US government agencies initiated in 2008 that aims to shift chemical hazard assessment from traditional animal toxicology to target-specific, mechanism-based, biological observations using <i>in vitro</i> assays and lower organism models. HTS uses biocomputational methods for probing thousands of chemicals in <i>in vitro</i> assays for gene-pathway response patterns predictive of adverse human health outcomes. In 1999, NIEHS began exploring the application of toxicogenomics to toxicology and recent advances in NextGen sequencing should greatly enhance the biological content obtained from HTS platforms. We foresee an intersection of new technologies in toxicogenomics and HTS as an innovative development in Tox21. Tox21 goals, priorities, progress, and challenges will be reviewed.</p>","PeriodicalId":91506,"journal":{"name":"International journal of biotechnology","volume":"14 1","pages":"7-27"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4844067/pdf/nihms720418.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"34497684","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Pande, Sobha Singh, Jyoti Samad, K. Saurabh, Z. Haider
{"title":"Studies on Potential of Finger Millet (Eleusine Coracana Gaertn. L.) Amylases for Industrial Applications","authors":"A. Pande, Sobha Singh, Jyoti Samad, K. Saurabh, Z. Haider","doi":"10.18488/JOURNAL.57/2015.4.4/57.4.20.29","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18488/JOURNAL.57/2015.4.4/57.4.20.29","url":null,"abstract":"Amylases are of great significance especially in the food, brewing and detergent industry. An attempt has been made to study the characteristics of amylases produced during germination of finger millet (Eleusine coracana Gaertn. L.). Of the 25 genotypes studied RAU8 showed the maximum activity at pH 5 and temperature 60oC. This is the first report of optimum amylase activity at 60°C in finger millet. The best activity was observed in seeds geminated for 96 hours. The enzyme extract showed maximal activity till 90 minutes and 82.24% activity was retained even after 120 minutes. The thermostable character of the enzyme and retention of activity of the unprotected enzyme for 2 hours makes it suitable for industrial purposes. Further characterization of the different forms of the amylases may help in isolation of the most robust form which could then be cloned and expressed in microbes to enable large scale production for industrial purposes.","PeriodicalId":91506,"journal":{"name":"International journal of biotechnology","volume":"4 1","pages":"20-29"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"67988457","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Maryam Peymania, Kamran Ghaedib, M. Nasr-Esfahanib
{"title":"Review of the Role of PPAR Gamma and Agonists in the Development of Heart","authors":"Maryam Peymania, Kamran Ghaedib, M. Nasr-Esfahanib","doi":"10.18488/journal.57/2015.4.2/57.2.9.13","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.57/2015.4.2/57.2.9.13","url":null,"abstract":"Peroxisome-proliferator activator receptor γ (PPARγ) is a nuclear receptor of central importance in metabolic processes. Recent experimental pieces of evidence demonstrate that PPARγ is implicated in cardiac function and development. Here we reviewed the role of PPARγ and ligands that emerged as a potential new therapeutic target for several cardiac diseases.","PeriodicalId":91506,"journal":{"name":"International journal of biotechnology","volume":"4 1","pages":"9-13"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"67988675","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Neda Jalalvandi, A. Bahador, B. Zahedi, Hossein Saghi, D. Esmaeili
{"title":"THE STUDY OF INHIBITORY EFFECTS OF SATUREJA KHUZESTANICA ESSENCE AGAINST MEXA AND MEXR EFFLUX GENES OFPSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA BY RT-PCR","authors":"Neda Jalalvandi, A. Bahador, B. Zahedi, Hossein Saghi, D. Esmaeili","doi":"10.18488/JOURNAL.57/2015.4.1/57.1.1.8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18488/JOURNAL.57/2015.4.1/57.1.1.8","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause severe hospital-acquired infections, especially in immunocompromised hosts. P.aeruginosa for its resistance to antibiotics. Efflux pump is one of the several mechanisms involved in intrinsic resistance of these bacteria to antibiotics. It has been revealed that deletion of genes encoding the components of MexAB–OprM of efflux system, in wild-type P. aeruginosa, confers hypersusceptibility to a variety of antimicrobial agents. Antimicrobial and antifungal properties of some herbal medicines were reported. Objectives: In this study the effect of Saturejakhuzestanica extract, an endemic plant of Iran, on the expression level of mexA, and mexR genes in P. aeruginosa were investigated. Materials and Methods: In this study, MIC was determined for P. aeruginosa. Then, bacteria were treated with S. khuzistanica extract. MexA, mexR and gyrA genes expression in treated and non-treated bacteria, before and after treatment was evaluated using RT-PCR technique. Results: Surprisingly, the expression level of mexA and mexR genes was decreased in the presence of S. Khuzestanica. However, the expression of gyrAgene that was used as an internal control was not altered before and after treatment with this herb. Based on the results, S. Khuzestanica could play a, major role in lowering the P. aeruginosa resistance to drugs, by reducing mexA genes expression. Conclusions: According to results of current research we hope in future be used it to the clinic with a wider range as a complementary therapy and also for surgery operation.","PeriodicalId":91506,"journal":{"name":"International journal of biotechnology","volume":"4 1","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"67988566","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"International strategic alliances of small biotechnology firms: a second-best option?","authors":"Sophie Veilleux","doi":"10.1504/IJBT.2014.059647","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBT.2014.059647","url":null,"abstract":"International strategic alliances have often been presented as the main growth factor for dedicated biotechnology firms (DBFs). Alliances bring resources such as complementary knowledge and financial resources to DBFs. They help these smaller firms conduct R&D, and costly and long clinical essays and regulations. They build bridges with foreign capital and product markets. Even if some authors have noticed that alliances are not always beneficial or feasible, the main picture has not been altered: they are still presented as a bounty for smaller R&D biotechnology firms. Our research, based on in-depth interviews of samples of DBFs in Montreal and Boston, suggests that, in both clusters, they use alliances as a second-best option. The preferred strategy is to conduct in-house R&D supported by venture capital and capital market funds, and only sign alliances at the latest possible time, in order to complete the R&D process.","PeriodicalId":91506,"journal":{"name":"International journal of biotechnology","volume":"13 1","pages":"53"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1504/IJBT.2014.059647","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66713989","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Bionetworks vs. nanonetworks: a comparison of diffusion rates of emerging technologies","authors":"S. Reid, J. Niosi, S. Ramani","doi":"10.1504/IJBT.2014.059649","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBT.2014.059649","url":null,"abstract":"This exploratory investigation offers evidence from biotechnology and nanotechnology sectors regarding the differential impacts of information flow rates, dispersion of networks and combination of progenitor sciences and technologies on technology diffusion rates. In recent years, enhanced rates of information flow have increased the ability for a greater overall number and diversity of foreign players to enter emerging technology development trajectories. At the same time, these trends are creating more dispersed networks with concomitant problems associated with information flow in such diffuse situations. Rates of diffusion of emerging technologies are also importantly affected by the number of scientific fields and generic technologies combined to create the new technology and the level of resultant complexity; higher levels of complexity can slow down diffusion rates. Further, at the country level, absorptive capacity is largely determined through institutions and their policies; however, in terms of enabling diffusion of technology to move effectively downstream from science to market, this requires social capabilities.","PeriodicalId":91506,"journal":{"name":"International journal of biotechnology","volume":"13 1","pages":"90-104"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1504/IJBT.2014.059649","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66714051","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Biotechnology: a case of delayed international convergence?","authors":"J. Niosi","doi":"10.1504/IJBT.2014.059648","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBT.2014.059648","url":null,"abstract":"Catching up and leapfrogging regularly occur in capitalist economies, both at the level of entire countries and specific industries. The USA has taken the lead in biopharmaceuticals and has kept it for over fifty years. Biotechnology is now helping the US pharmaceutical industry to keep its global leadership patent and product figures or biotechnology drugs indicate that the USA is keeping its lead, and is not going to be left behind by any other nation, advanced or emerging, in the foreseeable future.","PeriodicalId":91506,"journal":{"name":"International journal of biotechnology","volume":"13 1","pages":"5"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1504/IJBT.2014.059648","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66713999","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Understanding the Turkish biotechnology system through the functions of an innovation system","authors":"D. Cetindamar","doi":"10.1504/IJBT.2014.059645","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBT.2014.059645","url":null,"abstract":"The paper empirically examines biotechnology innovation system in order to present the concerns of developing countries. Through mapping innovation processes/functions over time, it is possible to develop insights of the dynamics of innovation systems. This mapping is carried out for the Turkish biotechnology system, and the findings are summarised.","PeriodicalId":91506,"journal":{"name":"International journal of biotechnology","volume":"13 1","pages":"105"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1504/IJBT.2014.059645","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66714427","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The disappearance of dedicated biotechnology firms in Canada","authors":"Ayoub Moustakbal","doi":"10.1504/IJBT.2014.059651","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBT.2014.059651","url":null,"abstract":"The present paper has the objective of understanding the disappearance of biotechnology firms. To accomplish this objective, a sample was built from 552 firms operating in Canada between 1996 and 2010. The results reveal that disappearance is not only due to filing for bankruptcy, but also due to change in firms’ names, as well as mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Statistical tests further show that the survival of dedicated biotechnology firms (DBFs) depends mainly on two factors: having a qualified management team, and receiving the support of the venture capital firms. In addition, the results demonstrate that firms which mainly operate in the human health sector and have already received support from VC opt for M&A to exit the industry. This study has some practical lessons for different stakeholders concerning the survival and the exit of new enterprise biotechnology firms.","PeriodicalId":91506,"journal":{"name":"International journal of biotechnology","volume":"13 1","pages":"66"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1504/IJBT.2014.059651","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66714099","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Systems of innovation and the adoption of biotechnologies: the case of Mexico","authors":"J. F. Amador","doi":"10.1504/IJBT.2014.059644","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBT.2014.059644","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":91506,"journal":{"name":"International journal of biotechnology","volume":"13 1","pages":"120"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1504/IJBT.2014.059644","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66714358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}