Category: I

An American trade association of companies involved in biotechnology. Formed in 1981, the IBA tended to consist of the larger firms involved in biotechnology. In 1993, the Industrial Biotechnology Association (IBA) was merged with the Association of Biotechnology Companies (ABC) to form the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO).  

Enzymes whose rate of production can be increased by the presence of certain chemical molecules.  

Molecules that cause the production of larger amounts of the enzymes that are involved in the uptake and metabolism of the inducer (such as galactose). Inducers may be enzyme substrates. In chemistry, a compound that increases the concentration of another molecule; in molecular biology, something that facilitates the development of a gene.  

A substrate-induced change in the shape of an enzyme molecule that causes the catalytically functional groups of the enzyme to assume positions that are optimal for catalytic activity to occur.  

The governmental body in India that regulates all recombinant DNA research. It is the Indian counterpart of the American Government’s Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee (RAC).  

A permit by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin clinical trials on humans (of a new pharmaceutical) after toxicity data has been reviewed and approved by the FDA.  

Application to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking approval to begin clinical studies of a new pharmaceutical. A drug available solely for experimental purposes intended to determine its safety and effectiveness and not yet approved by the FDA for marketing to the general public. Prescription of the drug is limited to those experts qualified…

A search process (e.g., for a new pharmaceutical) that first involves the construciton of a large “pool” of polynucleotide sequences (at least some of which are likely to possess the desired pharmaceutical properties), synthesized by a totally random process. This is followed by repeated cycles of screening (for those sequences possessing desired properties) and/or enriching,…

Any process or procedure in which an organism’s immune system is utilized to attack or inactivate the reproductive cells (e.g., sperm) within the organism. The development of antibodies to bind with gamete-specific antigens, i.e., antigens on eggs, sperm, or sex hormones, as a means of preventing conception.  

A molecule that has been formed by attachment to each of two originally different molecules. One of these is an antibody and, hence, the word “immunoconjugate.” Classic organic drug molecules such as methotrexate, adriamycin chlorambucil, etc.; radionucHdes; enzymes; toxins; and ribosome-inhibiting proteins may be conjugated to antibodies. The salient point is that the antibody portion…