Bioinformatics
A rapidly developing branch of biology that derives knowledge from computer analysis of biological data. Bioinformatics is highly interdisciplinary, using techniques from statistics, mathematics, chemistry, biochemistry, physics and linguistics.

Biosensor technology
The use of cells or biological molecules in an electronic system to detect specific substances. Consists of a biological sensing agent coupled with a microelectronic circuit.

Biotechnology
A collection of technologies that use living cells and/or
biological molecules to solve problems and make useful solutions.

Cell
The smallest structural unit of living organisms that is able to grow and reproduce independently.

Chromosome
Components in a cell that contain genetic information; each chromosome contains numerous genes.

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
The chemical molecule that is the basic genetic material found in all cells. DNA is inherited; it is a very long, thin molecule, packaged into units called chromosomes.

DNA fingerprinting (or DNA typing)
A technique for identifying individual organisms based upon the uniqueness of their DNA pattern. The technique has applications in forensics, anthropology, conservation biology, and ecological research.

Expression
The physical manifestation of the information contained in a gene.

Gene
A unit of hereditary information. A gene is a section of a DNA molecule that specifies the production of a particular protein.

Gene mapping
Determining the relative locations of genes on a chromosome.

Genetic code
The way genetic information is stored in living organisms.

Genetic engineering
The process of copying a gene from one living thing (bacteria, plant or animal) and adding it to another living thing using biotechnological methods.

Genome
The total hereditary material of a cell.

Genomics
The scientific study of genes and their role in an organism's
structure, growth, health and disease; for example, how the (approximately) 3,000 genes in a given strain of bacteria contribute to the shape, function and development of the whole organism. It is also the term now applied to the data and information derived from genome sequencing.

Genotype
The specific genetic makeup of an organism, as contrasted with the actual characteristics of an organism.

Nanotechnology
Also known as molecular manufacturing, it is a branch of engineering that deals with the design and manufacture of extremely small electrical circuits and mechanical devices.

Phenotype
The observable characteristics of an organism as opposed to the set of genes it possesses (its genotype). Phenotype is a result of both genetic and environmental factors; organisms with the same genotype may display different phenotypes due to environmental factors.

Protein
A complex biological molecule composed of a chain of units called amino acids. Proteins have many different functions: structure, movement, catalysis, transport, regulation of cellular processes and response to stimuli. The information for making proteins is stored in the sequence of nucleotides in the DNA molecule.

Proteomics
The scientific study of an organism's proteins and their role in an organism's structure, growth, health, and disease. All biological processes involve changes in proteins, and total protein profile (the proteome) can vary during the development of an organism and the progression and treatment of disease. Proteomics and the study of this protein profile can be crucial in the discovery and development of therapeutic proteins, drug targets and diagnostics.

RNA (Ribonucleic acid)
Like DNA, a type of nucleic acid. RNA is involved in the synthesis of proteins from the information contained in the DNA molecule.