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3 Epic Biotechnology Podcasts to Follow

Podcasts are an awesome way of using your brain whilst completing mundane tasks like commuting, cleaning  or doing the laundry. They allow you the time to catch up with recent events, as well as being an excellent way to learn. So here is a list of some of the podcasts we at TheBiotech10 are listening to, to keep up to date with the biotechnology space.    The Talking Biotech Podcast Dr. Kevin Folta, the host of this podcast, is a professor of the horticultural sciences department at the University of Florida. This weekly podcast provides science based discussions on the current topics within biotech. The guests Dr. Folta brings on describe the current issues within the biotechnology space and often the solutions behind them. There is also a segment dedicated to plant genetic improvement from domestication through the today's breeding efforts. This guest based podcast is a must listen for those interested in the Biotechnology space. The Bio Report The Bio Report is a week...

What you need to Know About Violet Biotechnology

Violet Biotechnology is related to publication invention, IPRs (Intellectual Property Rights) and patents of biotechnology. It is devoted to regulation and problem solving, it's also responsible for the formation of a platform  for discussion. While the other forms of biotech aim at increasing the number of inventions, violet biotechnology maintains them. Biotechnology is a sector that is responsible for causing a lot of doubts and fears, due to the radical potential of many inventions. These fears have caused serious moral dilemmas and discussions. Due to disputes as a result of these fears, the formation of a new branch of biotechnology was created, the Violet branch.  Violet Biotechnology Includes Encouraging new inventions within biotechnology  Analysis and Publication of biotech research  Patenting of biotech inventions  Enforcement of intellectual property Applications of Violet Biotechnology Many of the processes within this sector of biotech take years d...

What is Biotechnology?

What is Biotechnology? Simply put, biotechnology is technology based on biology. Biotechnology harnesses cellular and biomolecular processes to develop technologies and products that help improve our lives as well as the health of the planet. Humankind has used biological processes of microorganisms for more than 6,000 years to make useful products, such as bread, cheese and beer. Depending on the tools and applications, it often overlaps with the fields of bioengineering, biomedical engineering, biomanufacturing, molecular engineering etc.  Rainbow Code of Biotechnology With biotechnology being so diverse, the different branches or divisions of biotechnology are most commonly referred to using colors, thanks to Kafarski (2012). Image found on Steemit   The different sectors are broken down as follows: Red- Medicine, health and diagnostics  Blue- Marine biotechnology Grey- Environmental and bioprocess technology Violet- Law, patents, publications, inventions  Yellow-...

5 Books Every Biotechnology Entrepreneur Should Read

The following list of books are must reads for entrepreneurs in the biotech space, as they outline anecdotes from various companies throughout the history of commercialized biotechnology. Providing you with stories to learn from, that will help you in starting your own venture with solid foundations. The Antidote: Inside the World of New Pharma - Barry Werth The Antidote is the story of a pharma company's mission to win. Zertex was founded in the late 80s by Merck executive Joshua Boger, amidst the start of the AIDS pandemic. With the goal of creating a company with the ability to disrupt the industry, Boger also aimed to force pharmaceutical companies to think differently. Genentech: The Beginnings of Biotech - Sally Smith Hughes Genentech was one of the first biotechnology companies to gain popularity and to raise a significant amount of  money through public stock options. In the early 1980s, without a customer product, and a lack of understanding of what the company even did, t...

3 Biology Experiments You Can Do at Home

Biology is an extremely exciting subject, however, not all of us have access to state-of-the-art lab equipment to do biology experiments. Luckily for us, it is possible to do some experiments within the comfort of our own homes. Here is a list of 3 easy biology experiments you can do at home. Extract your own DNA  It very easy to extract your own DNA using everyday kitchen supplies. You can even extract the DNA of any fruit or vegetable you desire, but I think looking at your own molecular blueprint is much cooler. Equipment A clean shot glass Saliva Dish Soap Table Salt Pineapple Juice (or cleaning solution for contact lenses)  Chilled alcohol (120 proof or higher) Drinking Straw  Toothpick Instructions Take your DNA sample by spitting into the shot glass until it is a quarter full of your saliva. Add a few drops of dish soap to lyse the cells (break them open). Add a tiny splash of pineapple juice. This cleans up some of the proteins that have spilled out of your cells ...

3 Biotech Books Everyone Should Read

Everyone needs some downtime, and what's a better way to spend it than reading a good book about something you love. This is a short, but sweet list of some of the books we think would fit the bill for those who love biotechnology like we do . Gene Jockeys - Nicolas Rasmussen Gene Jockeys winds back the clock, taking us to the early stages of biotech. Telling the stories behind the first ten drugs to be approved by the FDA that were made using recombinant DNA technology. Nicolas Rasmussen explains how both the public and private sectors played essential roles in the development of technologies that strive to make the world a better place. How Economics Shapes Science - Paula Stephan  In How Economics Shapes Science ,  Paula Stephan explores the huge costs of running a lab, where the funds come from, and how this influences what research and publication topics scientists choose to go after. All things most scientists working in big companies are somewhat oblivious to.  A ...

4 Fully Funded Scholarships for Biotechnology

With everything getting more and more complicated (especially in the world of science), it is almost impossible to settle with a bachelors degree. In fact, advanced degree holders earn a salary 35% higher than bachelor's degree holders.  We all know tertiary education comes at a cost, so here is a list of scholarships relevant to biotechnology, that can hopefully lighten the burden of a student loan if you choose to advance in your studies.  Skoltech MSc and PhD Full Tuition Scholarships This scholarship is available for international students and gives you the opportunity of studying at the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology in Russia. All students admitted for masters and doctorates programs receive a full waiver of tuition, accommodation, health insurance and a stipend for living expenses of up to 40,000 RUR per month. To be eligible, students applying must be in their final year of undergraduate degree or hold a higher education degree (Bachelor's degree, Master...

5 In-Demand Biotechnology Careers

  The biotechnology industry is a major economic driver, considering its estimated market size of $369.62 billion in 2016. With the constant need for rapid innovation, the demand for skilled individuals is rising.  These are 5 in-demand careers within the biotechnology industry. Biomanufacturing Specialist  Median Pay:  $80,629 Biomanufacturing specialists use tools and methods to guarantee that products meet the strict requirements of purity, safety, potency and quality. Biomanufacturing often involves the large-scale production of proteins used to treat or cure human diseases, which requires specialists that possess plenty of knowledge of federal, state and industry standards.  Biochemist  Median Pay:   $53,712 Biochemists study the chemical properties of living things, as well as biological processes such as cell development, heredity and disease. They conduct complex research projects that frequently require isolation, a...

Celebrating Black History Month: 7 Notable African American Biotech Leaders

To celebrate Black History Month, Biotech10 wants to spotlight some of the prominent individuals in the life sciences and biopharma industries.  According to a 2017 study by Nature Biotechnology,  found that African Americans only make up about 13% of the population but held only 3% of the executive positions at biotech firms at the time. Here's a look into 7 influential African American life science leaders.  Kenneth Frazier, CEO, Merck & Co. Frazier earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Penn State and then went on to earn a JD from Harvard University. He first joined the law firm Drinker, Biddle & Reath. In 1992 he then made the change to the general counsel of public affairs division of Merck. In 2006, Frazier became executive vice president while still working as general counsel, and in 2017 led the human health group. He took role as CEO in 2011, as the first African American to lead a major Pharma company. Susan Windham-Banniser, CEO, Biomedical Growth Strat...

5 Biotech Movies to Watch

  We can't be working all the time  unfortunately . An excellent way to spend your downtime is to watch a movie or series. These are our favorite movies and series to do with biotechnology, that we suggest you check out next time you want to sit back and unwind. Splice (2009) Two scientists decide to ignore the ban on research using human embryos and try to create a hybrid creature, illegally. Somehow, the scientists manage to make the experiments using the human embryos with a lack of funding... this obviously didn't  end well. Contagion (2011) A little close to current day reality, but in Contagion, the world faces a deadly viral infection with a rapid rate of spreading.  With no treatment available, the CDC gathers a team of doctors to identify ways of avoiding contagion, whilst looking for a cure. During this ordeal, chaos rules the world as millions die. Icarus (2017) Oscar winning documentary, Icarus  follows film director and writer Bryan Fogel as he...

3 Must Watch Biotech Ted-Talks

We all know TED talks are brilliants parcels of knowledge that we may use to inspire ourselves. But for some reason, we often forget about them and then find ourselves once or twice a year binge watching them. These are the top 3 talks we have watched here at Biotech10, that we believe properly encapsulate the brilliantness of biotechnology. How CRISPR Lets Us Edit Our DNA Jennifer Doudna, part of the team that invented the revolutionary genetic technology that is CRISPR-Cas9. The tool (CRISPR) allows for editing of DNA strands with "incredible precision" as stated by Doudna, which may be used in mind-blowing ways, such as treatments for genetic diseases. However there is ethical concern for the potential of "designer babies". In this TED talk Doudna reviews the workings of CRISPR-Cass9, as well as the potential it harnesses. She rounds off her talk with an important discussion about the ethical implications that this gene editing technology carries.  The Medical Po...

Top 5 Universities To Study Biotechnology

Biotechnology is a fast growing field that focuses on the study of biomolecular and cellular systems to develop technologies that improve industries and quality of life. It is a field with multiple career paths from entrepreneurship to research work and everything in between. As Steve Jobs once said "the biggest innovations of the 21st century will be at the intersection of biology and technology."  According to the QS World Rankings Guide these are the Universities to look at if you want to be a part of these innovations. Harvard University Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, is the highest-ranked school in the World Rankings Guides list of top 50 biotechnology universities. In the USA, it is ranked first in genetics, genomics and bioinformatics, as well as first in biochemistry and biophysics by the "US News & World Report" in 2014. Harvard's biotechnology graduate program allows students to choose a discipline in either bioengineering and nanote...

3 Interesting Biotech Stocks for Q1 2021

The biotechnology industry is both time-consuming and expensive when it comes to research and development of products. This means that investors will often wait years before even knowing whether or not the new drug under development they have invested in will ever pay off. Some of the largest biotechnology companies in the world include Amgen Inc. (AMGN), Biogen Inc. (BIIB) and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN). With Covid-19 causing a modern day gold rush (but with vaccines) biotech stocks have shown attractive returns. Here are the top 3 stocks to keep an eye on in 2021. Novavax Inc. (NVAX) This clinical-stage biotech company based in Maryland focuses on vaccines that address a wide range of infectious diseases. Novavax is responsible for the discovery, development and the commercialization of these vaccines. The firms vaccine candidates currently include the likes of ResVax and NanoFlu. . With 2021 revenue forecasts expected to increase 181% year on year. This stock has potential. Tr...

4 Free Biotech Online Courses

With the onset of the pandemic last year remote working as well as remote learning became the  new norm. Over the past decade, universities have been offering online courses on platforms such as EdX and Coursera. These websites are open to anyone around the world. With Covid-19 reinforcing this method of learning, more and more people are learning from home. There are a plethora of courses to choose from in almost any area of interest. With these courses you can develop your skills to become better within your career, whether academic or professional. These are my top 4 must-do recommendations for anybody interested in biotechnology to check out. The Science And Business of Biotechnology - EdX - Hosted by MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA Running or starting a biotech company requires a synergistic knowledge of both business and science. This can be a learning curve for many. This course is crammed with detail about the framework of science and finance that is required to run a bi...

Top 5 Biotech-related Podcasts

  This is a list of the top biotech podcasts that we use to keep you informed with the latest breakthroughs in our beloved field of biotechnology. Podcasts are a convenient way to make menial tasks- such as cleaning or doing laundry- more of an educational matter. I am a massive podcast fan and I have been listening to a plethora of different podcasts since early 2014, however I have only recently started to harness their learning potential. After lots of listening, I have found what I believe to be the most productive podcasts in the space of biotech, including various discussion topics such as, recent news, new business ventures and a more in depth analysis of investment trends and business opportunities. Breaking Biotech Breaking Biotech  is a podcast hosted by Matthew Lepoire, a former metabolic scientist. He discusses his interests that surround the biopharma sector. He goes through an in-depth analysis of biotechnology companies in order to find good quality trading...