Lingo
Bioscience jargon is a language in and of itself. For that reason, this section was designed to enhance your understanding of some basic terms used in the bioscience and biotechnology industry today, plus monikers that are specific to Arizona's bioscience industry. If you know of a term that's not listed, contact us!
Search by first letter
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
Accelerator: An institution that assists young startups. It is similar to an incubator, though typically involving companies that are further developed. The creators of the technology usually play a smaller role than they do during the incubation stage, giving way to business professionals and venture capitalists who handle the company's day-to-day operations.
Adenine: See base.
Alleles: Different forms of a gene that represent the same genetic locus on homologous chromosomes. For example, the gene for blond hair is located in the same place on a chromosome as the gene for brown hair.
Amino Acid: Any of the class of molecules that form proteins in living things. A protein's amino acid sequence and function are determined by the genetic code.
Angel Investor: An investor who invests his or her own money or resources directly into a private start-up company in the very early stages of the business. Usually an angel investor is the bridge from the self-funded stage to the point that the business needs the level of funding that a venture capitalist would offer.
Arizona Bio-Corridor: A phrase that refers to increasing cooperation among bioscience-related firms, organizations, government agencies, and educational institutions, particularly the state's public universities and community colleges. The cooperation is part of an effort to strengthen links between Flagstaff, Phoenix, and Tucson in the biosciences.
Arizona Bioscience Education: A Web log, or blog, devoted to news and information of interest and benefit to teachers of math, science, and the biosciences in Arizona. http://www.azbioeducation.blogspot.com/
Arizona Biosciences Network: A collaborative network designed to create professional relationships between Arizona State University undergraduate students and scientists who work at major research and medical institutions in the Phoenix metropolitan area. In 2006, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute announced a $1.8 million award to propel the project's implementation.
Arizona's Bioscience Roadmap: The result of a comprehensive study conducted by Battelle and commissioned by the Flinn Foundation. The study outlined a 10-year roadmap that can "fast track" Arizona on a path to achieve national bioscience stature and a diversified economy. The findings described the need for increased public- and private-sector investments, plus collaboration among Arizona's higher education, industry, and nonprofit sectors. The Roadmap also recommended that Arizona concentrate its efforts on three scientific disciplines in which it is positioned to achieve near-term (3-5 years) national prominence if well organized and funded: bioengineering, cancer research, and neurological sciences. http://www.flinn.org/bio/roadmap.cms
Arizona Translational Research Network (AzTransNet): A facilitating and coordinating organization that will seek to work with all biomedical research institutions in Arizona, engaging both the private and public sectors.
Arizona Twenty-First Century Fund: An initiative passed by the Legislature in 2006 to allocate $35 million to build and strengthen medical, scientific, and engineering research programs and infrastructure. The initiative focuses funding in areas of greatest strategic value to the state's competitiveness in the global economy. The funds, matched by private dollars, flow to Science Foundation Arizona to disburse as grants.
RETURN TO TOP >>
B
Base, nitrogenous (nucleotide): Any of the four nitrogenous bases (adenine, cytosine, thymine, and guanine, or A, C, T, and G) that make up the "rungs" of the twisted-ladder shaped DNA molecule (in RNA, thymine is replaced with uracil). Bases occur in matched pairs—A with T and C with G—and thousands of bases are required to constitute a gene.
The Bayh-Dole Act of 1980, PL 96-517: A law enacted to bolster the rate of technology transfer of federally funded research to the marketplace. Before its passage (and the passage of related tech-transfer laws), federal research was available to everyone, and companies did not want to invest in such technology since they would be unable to protect their investment. The Bayh-Dole Act addressed this by providing for three key changes to existing laws:
- Nonprofit organizations such as universities, along with small businesses, gained the first right to elect title to inventions they develop with federal support.
- Government laboratories now have the authority to grant exclusive licenses to patents.
- Descriptions of inventions are now legislatively protected from public dissemination and Freedom of Information Act requests for a reasonable period (to allow for patent applications to be filed).
Benchmark: A standard by which something can be measured or judged.
Bioinformatics: Information technology and computer science as applied to biological problems, such as the DNA sequencing of the human genome or building databases of biological information.
Biosciences: Industry cluster comprised of five segments: agricultural feedstock and chemicals; drugs and pharmaceuticals; medical devices and instruments; hospitals and laboratories; and research and testing.
Biotechnology: Technology based on biology, especially when used in agriculture, food science, and medicine. Biotechnology is a subset of the biosciences.
Biozona: The brand identity for Arizona's growing bioscience industry.
RETURN TO TOP >>
C
cDNA: A DNA molecule that is complementary to an mRNA molecule. The strand of cDNA is synthesized by an enzyme call reverse transcriptase.
Cell: A small unit of protoplasm. In humans, the nucleus of each such unit usually contains 23 pairs of chromosomes. Nearly every one of the 100 trillion cells in the human body contains a copy of the entire human genome.
Chromosome: Any of the thread-like microscopic bodies carrying the genes of heredity.
Chromosomal Aberration: An abnormal chromosome resulting from the loss, duplication, or rearrangement of genetic material.
Chromosome Painting: A laboratory procedure that uses a fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probe to detect a specific region or segment of a chromosome.
Clinical Research: Research based primarily on patients or ex-patients and designed to answer a question about disease. The definition includes clinical trials and other work on the clinical characterization of disease or ill health. For research to be defined as clinical, it should fall under at least one of the following categories: human participation studies, human-records based studies, clinical samples, or technology development for clinical use.
Clinical Trials: Evaluation of defined diagnostic or therapeutic technologies for safety or efficacy, esp. for human use. Phase I trials determine dosing levels. Phase II trials determine biological effect. Phase III trials determine if the patient receives a benefit from the treatment.
Copyright: Exclusive right granted by the U.S. government to the authors, composers, artists, or their assignees to copy, exhibit, distribute, or perform their works.
Cytosine: See base.
RETURN TO TOP >>
D
Deletion: Removal of one or many nucleotides from a segment of DNA.
Denaturation: The loss of correct 3-D structure in proteins or other biological polymers. In DNA, the two strands of DNA are held together by weak electrostatic bonds that can be broken by heating, causing the two strands to separate.
DNA: A long, thread-like molecule resembling a twisted ladder. The rungs of the ladder are composed of four nitrogenous bases (adenine, cytosine, thymine, and guanine). A sequence (linear arrangement of these letters, e.g., TAG GAT TTT) forms a gene that encodes a specific protein.
DNA Array: A matrix of a large number of known DNA molecules (or parts of molecules) attached to an inert substrate. Through a process called hybridization, one can determine which of the RNA's and DNA's genes are being expressed (RNA) or are the subject of genomic imbalance (DNA).
DNA Sequencing: The process of determining the sequence of bases (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine) in a molecule of DNA.
Dry Lab: Generally, a laboratory consisting primarily of computers and electronic devices, used for modeling and other kinds of research. Contrast with wet lab.
RETURN TO TOP >>
E
Edson Student Entrepreneur Initiative: An Arizona State University program that provides funding, office space, and training for teams of students across the university. The backing allows the students to explore their innovative ideas for business products and services in partnership with faculty, researchers, and successful entrepreneurs from both the academic and private sectors. http://studentventures.asu.edu/
RETURN TO TOP >>
F
Five Shoes: A often-cited 2001 report, "Five Shoes Waiting to Drop on Arizona's Future," by ASU's Morrison Institute for Public Policy that suggest where Arizona is heading on five issues of crucial importance to Arizona so that policymakers and the public can plot the best course for the future of Arizona. http//www.asu.edu/copp/morrison/apc2001.htm
RETURN TO TOP >>
G
Gene: A unit of heredity in chromosomes. Each gene is a long sequence of four nitrogenous bases (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine, or A, T, C, G). The smallest gene is approximately 2000 bases long, while the average gene is 20-30,000 bases long. Some genes—such as the one that codes for cystic fibrosis—are very long, containing more than 700,000 bases.
Gene Amplification: Any process by which specific DNA sequences or genes are replicated to a disproportionately greater degree than their representation in the parent cells. Normal cells have two copies of each gene at a specific locus in DNA (diploid).
Gene Therapy: Experimental treatment that involves replacing a dysfunctional gene with a functional one.
Generation 7: Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community's long-term economic development plans for its portion of Loop 101. The plan, which was unveiled in 2003, calls for development along the highway that would include a biotech campus with wet lab space.
Genetics: The science concerned with heredity and trait variation in organisms, as conveyed by genes. See also Genetics vs. Genomics.
Genetics vs. Genomics: The former is primarily concerned with patterns of inheritance among offspring, whereas the latter focuses on structure and specific functions of genes.
Genome: The entire DNA; the complete genetic inheritance of an organism.
Genomics: The field of study concerned with understanding the human genome. See also Genetics vs. Genomics.
Guanine: See base.
RETURN TO TOP >>
H
Homologous chromosomes: A pair of chromosomes that contain the same linear sequence of genes (therefore two genes are present for each trait). The maternal parent and the paternal parent each donate one member of a pair of homologous chromosomes during fertilization.
Hybridization: In molecular biology, the pairing of complementary sequences, RNA to DNA or DNA to DNA. Pairing is specific: Adenine will pair only with thymine in DNA-DNA interactions and with uracil in RNA-DNA interactions; and cytosine will pair only with guanine.
RETURN TO TOP >>
I
Incubator: An entity designed to nurture business concepts or new technologies to the point that they become attractive to venture capitalists. An incubator typically provides physical space, management expertise, legal, managerial, technical services, and sometimes financing.
Intellectual Property: Primary rights to basic writings and discoveries explicitly protected by the Arizona Constitution (Article 1, Section 8).
RETURN TO TOP >>
J
No entries.
RETURN TO TOP >>
K
Knowledge-Based Economy: An economy in which information and knowledge replace capital and energy as the primary wealth-creating assets.
RETURN TO TOP >>
L
Licensing: The transfer of less-than-ownership rights in intellectual property to a third party, to permit the third party to use the intellectual property.
RETURN TO TOP >>
M
Meds and Eds: A report on Arizona health and biosciences released by a group of prominent Arizona community and business leaders recommending bold measures for the state to "leapfrog" competitors to more fully participate in the biosciences economy. http://www.flinn.org/docs/meds_ed_186.pdf
Messenger RNA (mRNA): The molecule that carries genetic information from the genes to the rest of the cell. The sequence of the mRNA is translated at the ribosome into the making a specific protein that will be used in a cell.
Metabolomics: The study of the metabolic profile of a given cell, tissue, fluid, organ, or organism at a given point in time.
RETURN TO TOP >>
N
NIH Roadmap: Roadmap charted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that identifies what gaps and opportunities in biomedical research the NIH must prioritize in order to have the biggest impact on the progress of medical research. http://www.nihroadmap.nih.gov
Nucleotide: A molecule consisting of a nitrogenous base (adenine, guanine, thymine, or cytosine in DNA; adenine, guanine, uracil, or cytosine in RNA), a phosphate group, and a sugar (deoxyribose in DNA; ribose in RNA). See also base.
RETURN TO TOP >>
O
No entries.
RETURN TO TOP >>
P
Patent: An arrangement whereby, in exchange for an inventor's complete disclosure of an invention, the government gives the inventor the right to exclude others from making, using, or selling the invention within a specified time limit.
Personalized Medicine: Application of advances in medical science, particularly genomics and pharmacogenomics, to the development of individually targeted patient treatments. Examples include developing risk-prevention strategies based on a patient's diagnosed genetic predisposition for an illness; prescribing pharmacogenomics-based drugs that take into account individual drug metabolism rates in a given individual; and gene-based therapies for cancer.
Pharmacogenomics: The field concerned with tailoring drugs for patients whose individual response can be predicted by genetic fingerprinting.
Phoenix Bioscience Center at Copper Square: The downtown Phoenix home of the Translational Genomics Research Institute, International Genomics Consortium, and future University of Arizona Medical School (Phoenix Campus). The Arizona Biomedical Collaborative, a cooperative effort to develop complementary research programs among Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and University of Arizona and its medical school, is currently under construction next to the TGen building.
Pre-seed Funding: Funds, typically from private or angel investors, provided to help bridge the gap between a discovery or invention and the creation of a company to develop and market the idea. Contrast with seed funding.
Price Road Corridor/Loop 101 Science and Technology Corridor: A 30-mile stretch of research, technology, and manufacturing businesses along state Route 101L that runs through Scottsdale, Tempe, and Chandler. The corridor stretches from Scottsdale north of the Mayo Clinic to Intel's Ocotillo campus in south Chandler. It includes hundreds of technology, research, and manufacturing companies, and ten educational institutions.
Proposition 301: A measure approved by voters in November 2000 that raised the state sales tax by 0.6 percent in order to fund Arizona's education needs. It will boost financial support for education by nearly $460 million a year for 20 years. Money goes to K-12 public schools, community colleges for job training, and public universities for research. The university portion is expected to reach $1 billion over 20 years.
Proteins: The essential construction materials that constitute tissues and guide chemical reactions in living things. They are made of 20 different building blocks called amino acids. The DNA sequence of a gene determines the amino acid sequence of the protein that gene encodes. The amino acid sequence of the protein is, in turn, responsible for the protein's shape and function.
Proteomics: The connection between genomics and pharmaceuticals. It involves the analysis of the collection of proteins in a cell (which is encoded by the genome), and is the key connection between genomics and pharmacogenomics.
RETURN TO TOP >>
Q
No entries.
RETURN TO TOP >>
R
Ribosome: Small, specialized component of a cell made up of specialized RNA and protein, where proteins are translated from mRNA via tRNA.
RNA: Chemically similar to DNA but single-stranded, RNA contains the base uracil instead of thymine and can migrate out of the nucleus of a cell and into the cytoplasm.
RETURN TO TOP >>
S
Seed Funding: Funding provided by investors for a business to develop a concept, create an initial product, and carry out the first marketing efforts. Typically, seed funding is given to very young companies (around one year old and usually in the range of $200,000 to $2,000,000) that have not produced a product or service for commercial sale. Venture-capital funding generally comes later when a product is ready to be produced or markets expanded. Seed (or pre-seed) capital is usually provided by angel or private investors, and is sometimes (incorrectly) referred to as "startup" funding. Contrast with pre-seed funding and venture capital.
SkySong: A partnership between the City of Scottsdale and the Arizona State University Foundation to revitalize the former site of Los Arcos Mall by creating a research center with office space for high-tech firms. http://www.skysongcenter.com
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR): A federal government set-aside program, established in 1982, for domestic small business concerns to engage in research/research and development (R/R&D) that has the potential for commercialization.
SNP: A strand of one-letter variations in the DNA sequence that contributes to differences among individuals.
RETURN TO TOP >>
T
TechCity: The City of Phoenix's Technology City program, which recruits and helps to expand biotechnology companies and provides resources on biotechnology in Phoenix. http://www.phoenix.gov/techcity
Technology and Research Initiative Fund (TRIF): In November 2000, Arizona voters passed Education 2000 (Proposition 301) approving a 0.6 cent increase in the state sales tax to be dedicated to K-12, the universities, and the community colleges. Proposition 301 funds are administered by the Arizona Board of Regents in the Technology and Research Initiative Fund. TRIF monies focus on university research, development, and technology transfer related to the New Economy, along with development of programs to prepare students to contribute in Arizona's high technology industries.
Technology Transfer: Transfer of new knowledge (intellectual property) from the university setting to the commercial sector. The purpose is to enhance economic development, create employment opportunities, maximize commercial application of emerging technology, and ultimately generate capital to apply to new product/service development.
TGen: See "Translational Genomics Research Institute" in Organizations.
TGen North: See "TGen's Center for Pathogen Diagnostics" in Organizations.
Thymine: See base.
Trade Secret: A designation that provides the right to withhold any commercial formula, device, pattern, process, or information that affords a businessperson an advantage over others who do not know it.
Trademark: A legal distinction establishing a unique expression to identify goods or services for commercial use.
Transcription: Process by which information from DNA is converted into its RNA equivalent (mRNA). The mRNA can then travel to the ribosome for translation into a protein.
Transfer RNA (tRNA): RNA molecule that helps the ribosome to "read" mRNA instructions and assemble proteins, one amino acid at a time.
Translation: The process in which a protein is made by using the information provided by messenger RNA (mRNA). Protein construction takes place at specialized cell sites called ribosomes.
Translational Medicine: Process of moving medical research closer to a commercially viable medical technology that can then benefit patients and the public at large.
Translational Clinical Research: The application to humans of findings from basic biological research on the mechanisms of disease and potential treatments.
Twenty-First Century Fund: See Arizona Twenty-First Century Fund.
RETURN TO TOP >>
U
Undergraduate Biology Research Program: A nationally recognized educational program at the University of Arizona designed to teach students science by involving them in biologically related research.
Uracil: See base.
RETURN TO TOP >>
V
Venture Capital: Funding provided by investors to start-up businesses that are trying to grow or expand beyond the rates of normal business growth. Venture-capital recipients are generally perceived to have excellent prospects for growth but need assistance accessing capital markets. Unlike angel investors, venture capital investors may receive a say in the company's management, as well as some combination of profits, preferred shares, or royalties. Venture capital investments can be risky. Contrast with angel legacy, pre-seed funding, and seed funding.
RETURN TO TOP >>
W
Wet Lab: A laboratory in which researchers study chemical substances, genetic material, and the like, requiring special plumbing, air handling systems, waste disposal facilities, water purification capacity, etc. Contrast with dry lab.
RETURN TO TOP >>
X
No entries.
RETURN TO TOP >>
Y
No entries.
RETURN TO TOP >>
Z
No entries.
RETURN TO TOP >>
The definitions and descriptions herein contained have been synthesized from a wide assemblage of sources, including (but not limited to): the Library of Congress Thomas service; the National Business Incubation Association; Joan Shapiro, Ph.D.; The Personalized Medicine Coalition; William Read, Ph.D.; Molecular Cell Biology, by H. Lodish et al; The Biotech Investors Bible, by G. Wolff; and a number of professional medical and biological Web sources. They are provided for your information, and are not intended to be taken as authoritative. |