Medical Biotechnology

Medical biotechnology uses ever more specialized techniques to manipulate microorganisms, plants, animals and human tissue with the overall aim of understanding, treating and, if possible, curing human disease. Recent decades have seen dramatic advances in genetics, biochemistry, biophysics, cell biology and immunology, which have all contributed to the complex and fast-evolving field of medical biotechnology. This growth is leading to a re-evaluation of our understanding of disease and opening up new and sometimes unorthodox methods of diagnosis and treatment, creating increased opportunity for a broad range of life science researchers and biomedical engineers to apply their work.

Using a systems biology approach, Medical Biotechnology provides a context for researchers and students in life science to pursue research and explore future applications. This book concentrates on biological processes and technologies used in the research and development of gene therapies, pharmaceutical products, vaccines and�devices for the medical industry to illustrate the effect of biomedical research on translational practice. With an eye toward providing an appreciation of the role of biotechnology in society and the regulatory and ethical framework in which it operates, this book sets the framework for how and why an understanding of the physical, chemical, and biological principles of medicine must be achieved for the effective development of biotechnology applications and the future prospects for the field.

• Explores the relationship between advanced knowledge of the cellular, molecular and medical sciences to professional practice in a variety of fields related to medical biotechnology
• Emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of medical biotechnology including discussion of ethics and regulatory issues
• Provides a practical reference for all investigators to relate to their work in consideration of current biotechnologies, adaptability of their work, compliance, and management systems