Developments in Biotechnology for Environmentally Benign Iron Ore Beneficiation

Biomineralization and biogenesis of iron ore deposits are illustrated in relation to indigenous microorganisms inhabiting iron ore mines. Aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms indigenous to iron oxide mineralization are analyzed. Microbially-induced flotation and flocculation of iron ore minerals such as hematite, alumina, calcite and quartz are discussed with respect to use of four types of microorganisms, namely, Paenibacillus polymyxa, Bacillus subtilis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Desulfovibrio desulfuricans. The role of the above organisms in the removal of silica, alumina, clays and apatite from hematite is illustrated with respect to mineral-specific bioreagents, surface chemical changes and microbe-mineral interaction mechanisms. Silica and alumina removal from real iron ores through biobeneficiation is outlined. Environmental benefits of biobeneficiation are demonstrated with respect to biodegradation of toxic reagents and environmentally-safe waste disposal and processing.

Rethinking production of Taxol (R) (paclitaxel) using endophyte biotechnology

Taxol (R) (generic name paclitaxel) represents one of the most clinically valuable natural products known to mankind in the recent past. More than two decades have elapsed since the notable discovery of the first Taxol (R) producing endophytic fungus, which was followed by a plethora of reports on other endophytes possessing similar biosynthetic potential. However, industrial-scale Taxol (R) production using fungal endophytes, although seemingly promising, has not seen the light of the day. In this opinion article, we embark on the current state of knowledge on Taxol (R) biosynthesis focusing on the chemical ecology of its producers, and ask whether it is actually possible to produce Taxol (R) using endophyte biotechnology. The key problems that have prevented the exploitation of potent endophytic fungi by industrial bioprocesses for sustained production of Taxol (R) are discussed.

Microfabrication and application of reservoir pins for liquid transfer in biotechnology

Microarraying involves laying down genetic elements onto a solid substrate for DNA analysis on a massively parallel scale. Microarrays are prepared using a pin-based robotic platform to transfer liquid samples from microtitre plates to an array pattern of dots of different liquids on the surface of glass slides where they dry to form spots diameter < 200 μm. This paper presents the design, materials selection, micromachining technology and performance of reservoir pins for microarraying. A conical pin is produced by (i) conventional machining of stainless steel or wet etching of tungsten wire, followed by (ii) micromachining with a focused laser to produce a microreservoir and a capillary channel structure leading from the tip. The pin has a flat end diameter < 100 μm from which a 500 μm long capillary channel < 15 μm wide leads up the pin to a reservoir. Scanning electron micrographs of the metal surface show roughness on the scale of 10 μm, but the pins nevertheless give consistent and reproducible spotting performance. The pin capacity is 80 nanolitres of fluid containing DNA, and at least 50 spots can be printed before replenishing the reservoir. A typical robot holds can hold up to 64 pins. This paper discusses the fabrication technology, the performance and spotting uniformity for reservoir pins, the possible limits to miniaturization of pins using this approach, and the future prospects for contact and non-contact arraying technology.

Yellow (Perca flavescens) and Eurasian (P. fluviatilis) perch distinguished in fried fish samples by DNA analysis

DNA techniques are increasingly used as diagnostic tools in many fields and venues. In particular, a relatively new application is its use as a check for proper advertisement in markets and on restaurant menus. The identification of fish from markets and restaurants is a growing problem because economic practices often render it cost-effective to substitute one species for another. DNA sequences that are diagnostic for many commercially important fishes are now documented on public databases, such as the National Center for Biotechnology Information’s (NCBI) GenBank.1 It is now possible for most genetics laboratories to identify the species from which a tissue sample was taken without sequencing all the possible taxa it might represent.

Bioethics and biotechnology

This paper examines the practice and products of biotechnology from the viewpoint of bioethics, looking at four cases where aquatic biotechnology and bioethics intersect. The four cases applied are: Case 1. Genetic modification of animals; Case 2. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) as food; Case 3. Environmental applications of GMOs; Case 4. Intellectual property production for GMOs and DNA sequences.

Analytical strategies to solve problems in industrial and official laboratories

210 p.

The review of recent advances in fish genetics and biotechnology

Great advances have been, and are being made in our knowledge of the genetics and molecular biology (including genomics, proteomics and structural biology). Global molecular profiling technologies such as microassays using DNA or oligonucleotide chip, and protein and lipid chips are being developed. The application of such biotechnological advances are inevitable in aquaculture in the areas of improvement of aquaculture stocks where many molecular markers such as RFLPs, AFLDs and RAPD are now available for genome analysis, finger printing and genetic linkage mapping. Transgenic technology has been developed in a number of fish species and research is being pursed to produce transgenic fish carrying genes that encode antimicrobial peptides such as lysozyme thereby achieving disease resistance in fish. Also it is a short cut to achieving genetic change for fast growth and other desirable traits like early sexual maturity, temperature tolerance and feed conversion efficiency. KEYWORDS: Fish genetics, transgenesis, monoploidy, diploidy, polyploidy,gynogenesis, androgenesis, cryopreservation.

Monitoring report: sand dune reconstruction and restoration, at the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories

The Plan for Sand Dune Reconstruction and Restoration (and Biological Assessment) at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (ABA Consultants, April 1, 1992) described reconstruction of dune contours and biological restoration with native dune plants to be carried out over the 8 acre site formerly occupied by the marine labs (prior to the Loma Prieta earthquake of October 1989). The plan called for annual reports in letter form which would present data on plant abundance, a short narrative description of changes on the site, progress towards recovery of the plant community, and assessment of progress based on restoration goals and further steps to be taken. This monitoring report [dated April 25, 1994] addresses those points and also contains a summary of other activities integral in dune restoration -- education, public participation, school and conservation organization field trips, as well as the associated activities of restoration, plant collecting, propagation, and weed control.

Biotechnology: in Great Britain

The general perception of this new 'industry' is one of high-powered science breaking the frontiers of knowledge. At the same time, there is a good deal of haziness about what biotechnology is, where it is done, and by whom. This article discusses the evolution of biotechnology, then outlines the industry as it exists in Britain today. The next section considers what are some of the most important locational considerations for firms and gives both a snapshot for the country as a whole and a more detailed picture for one area, that around Cambridge. Finally, comments on aspects of the industry's possible future development. -from Authors