Biotechnology 101 & Why You
Should Sign Up!
Judith A. Kjelstrom, PhD
UC Davis Biotechnology Program
September 24 , 2002
Welcome to the teachers and administrators
of the Solano County Office of Education,
SEDCORP members and other community
Let’s work together to
create educational and
business opportunities in
the areas of:
Partnerships are the Key!
Pass it On ……
The two technologies that will shape the
next century are biotechnology and
“The two technologies that will have the
greatest impact on each other in the new
millennium are biotechnology and
Dr. Martina Newell
(past director of UCD biotech Program)
What Path Should Students
The Hottest Jobs for the New Millennium are:
1. Computer and Information Science
2. Health Sciences
3. Biotechnology & Bioinformatics
All of these careers require a strong background in
MATH, COMPUTER SKILLS & BASIC SCIENCES
Strong Thinkers & Communicators (oral
But …….. Will the U.S. Keep Up with the
Demand for Scientists & Engineers??
The National Science Foundation (NSF) reports
that as of 1999, about
of all U.S. workers
with PhDs in science and engineering were
We must produce more American scientists and
engineers as well as increase general science
Dr. Judith Ramaley, section of education and
human resources at NSF says, “It has to start
around the 4
You must go into the
valley of the shadow
, where pupils turn off to
science and math unless they’ve experienced:
good classroom material, chances to explore the
teachers who love the subject
The Road to the AH HA!
Undergraduate data show a shift, not a
decline in interest in Science
(Science, Dec 27, 2001, pg 2466
Paul Romer, an economist at Stanford thinks supplying more money will increase
the number of US scientists and engineers.
Technology Talent Bill (
Elaine Seymour, a sociologist at the Univ. of Colorado, Boulder cites “appalling
teaching” as a bigger reason for driving students away. She says that more money
won’t hurt, but it won’t fix the problem.
“It requires the systematic reform of the
science curriculum at all levels and improved teacher training”.
But …. How do we account for the steady growth in the life sciences, when other
areas of science like physics are showing a decline?
~38,000 biology undergrads in 1990 to over 60,000 in 1998.
Even though about one third of the total bachelor degree pool is in the life sciences,
in today’s world of greater technological sophistication,
we need to reach out to the
other two thirds (especially women and underrepresented minorities).
What is it???
the Ah HA
It is the
to the Future of
It is a
Collection of Technologies
that uses cells and biological
molecules (DNA, RNA, proteins,
etc.) to create new products,
processes or services.
It is involved in:
agriculture, engineering, law
enforcement, environmental clean
up, energy production, basic life
science research, etc.
The use of living organisms, or parts thereof, to
provide useful products, processes and services.
insertion of genes for beta
vitamin A) production into white rice.
Microbes manufacturing human insulin for diabetes
Genetically engineered poplar trees for cleaning up
heavy metal contamination of land and water.
Biotechnology or Bioengineering
is generally defined as:
But….we have broadened our
definition of Biotech to include:
Health Sciences & Medical Technology
DNA & Protein biochips, biosensors, tissue & organ
vaccines, cancer treatments, gene therapy, etc.
genetically enhanced crops & livestock
understanding the Brain
Biomedical Engineering, Nanotechnology, … & More!