ABSTRACT
The term ªbiotechnologyº has been used in different contexts to signify a variety of technological endeavors. Defined as the exploitation of biological systems for human benefit, biotechnology is ancient, dating back to agricultural and fermentation activities that are as old as human civilizations. More recent definitions of biotechnology include the development and production of antibiotics as well as improvement of producer strains by mutagenesis and selection (Miller, 1991). However, as widely used in the pharmaceutical industry and financial circles today, as well as in the context of this book, biotechnology refers predominantly to two revolutionary advances in biological sciences which occurred in the 1970s, and their ramifications. The basic components of biotechnology under this definition are commonly known as ªrecombinant DNAº (rDNA) technology or ªgenetic engineeringº, which involves the manipulation of genetic material of cells to produce and modify proteins, and ªhybridomaº technology which involves the production of unlimited amounts of monospecific antibodies. The aim of this chapter is to review the basic principles of rDNA and hybridoma technologies in order to provide the necessary background for the following chapters. It is also intended as an ªextended glossaryº or a rapid refresher. In-depth coverage of these topics is beyond the scope of this book and several excellent references on these topics are cited for further reading. A note of caution is in order however; for almost every generalization of mechanisms in molecular and cell biology, there are exceptions which underscore the rule. In the context of this chapter, clarity of the concepts is emphasized over detailed accuracy. Relevant extensions of the concepts discussed here are presented at appropriate locations in the subsequent chapters in ªboxe sº.
