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Today, biotechnology is more complex and means something more specific. Since the 1970s, new advances in molecular biology have allowed scientists to identify genes and deliberately manipulate DNA molecules in order to discover cures and develop drugs for the treatment of human diseases. The phrase "G to B" is sometimes used when discussing the economics of biotechnology and means "Genes to Drugs." Biotech companies are using the information gathered from the Human Genome Project, as well as other projects that are mapping the genes of non-human organisms and pathogens, to develop drugs and medicines faster than ever thought possible. Here are the most common terms or phrases used when discussing biotechnology, followed by links to other biotech resources as well as the home pages of companies involved in biotech research.
DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid, which makes up much of the material found in chromosomes. This is the double stranded molecule composed of nucleotides that make up the genetic material of all living organisms. Each nucleotide consists of a five-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and one of 4 nitrogen-containing bases: Adenine (A), Guanine (G), Thymine (T) and Cytosine (C). The sequence of these bases is what provides information needed by the cell to assemble amino acids into proteins. Here is a graphic of what a DNA double helix molecule looks lie:
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