of nucleotides joined together, and therefore is sometimes referred to as a 'polynucleotide'.
Nucleus: the membrane bound structure containing a cell's central DNA found within all eukarotic cells.
Null Allele: inactive form of a gene.
Oligonucleotide: A molecule made up of a small number of nucleotides, typically fewer than 25. These are frequently used as DNA synthesis primers.
Oncogene: a gene which is associated with the development of cancer.
Pharmacogenomics: The science of understanding the correlation between an individual patient's genetic make-up (genotype) and their response to drug treatment. Some drugs work well in some patient populations and not as well in others. Studying the genetic basis of patient response to therapeutics allows drug developers to more effectively design therapeutic treatments.
Phenotype: a set of observable physical characteristics of an individual organism. A single characteristic can be referred to as a 'trait', although a single trait is sometimes also called a phenotype. For example, blond hair could be called a trait or a phenotype, as could obesity. A phenotype can be the result of many factors, including an individual's genotype, environment, and lifestyle, and the interactions among these factors. The observed manifestation of a genotype. The phenotype may be expressed physically, biochemically, or physiologically.
Plasmid: A structure composed of DNA that is separate from the cell's genome. In bacteria, plasmids confer a variety of traits and can be exchanged between individuals - even those of different species. Plasmids can be manipulated in the laboratory to deliver specific genetic sequences into a cell.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): a method for creating millions of copies of a particular segment of DNA. If a scientist needs to detect the presence of a very small amount of a particular DNA sequence, PCR can be used to amplify the amount of that sequence until there are enough copies available to be detected.
Polymorphism: in this context, the existence of inter-individual differences in DNA sequences coding for one specific gene. The effects of such differences may vary dramatically, ranging from no effect at all to the building of inactive proteins.
Primer: Short pre-existing polynucleotide chain to which new deoxyribonucleotides can be added by DNA polymerase.
Probe: Single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules of specific base sequence, labelled either radioactively or immunologically, that are used to detect the complementary base sequence by hybridisation.
Promoter: a segment of DNA located at the 'front' end of a gene, which provides a site where the enzymes in involved in the transcription process can bind on to a DNA molecule, and initiate transcription. Promoters are critically involved in the regulation of gene _expression.
Proteome: total protein complement expressed by a cell, tissue or organism.
Proteomics: study of protein properties on a large scale to obtain a global, integrated view of cellular processes including _expression levels, post translational modifications, interactions and location.
Recombinant DNA: DNA molecules that have been created by combining DNA more than one source.
Regulatory Gene: a gene which controls the protein-synthesising activity of other genes.
Reverse Transcriptase: An enzyme used by retroviruses to form a complementary DNA sequence (cDNA) from an RNA template -usually the genome of the retrovirus. The enzyme then performs a complimentary template of the cDNA strand such that a double stranded DNA molecule is formed. This double stranded DNA molecule is then inserted into the chromosome of the host cell which has been infected by the retrovirus. Reverse transcriptase is one of the key components that HIV uses to mount its attack.
RNA (ribonucleic acid): a molecule similar to DNA, which helps in the process of decoding the genetic information carried by DNA.
Serum-responsiveness: cell proliferative reaction to the addition of serum to tissue culture medium after prior deprivation.
Sequencing: determining the order of nucleotides in a DNA or RNA molecule, or determining the order of amino acids in a protein.
Signature Sequencing: sequencing of a short stretch of cDNA close to the end of the complementary mRNA. Sequence stretches of some 20 nucleotides are sufficiently discriminative to identify the transcript of an individual gene in a mammalian tissue.
Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP): Inter-individual variations in the genetic code at the level of one nucleotide.
Southern Blotting: Transfer by absorption of DNA fragments separated in electrophoretic gels to membrane filters for detection of specific base sequences by radiolabeled complementary probes.
Splicing: the removal of introns from the sequence of mRNA. When an mRNA molecule is synthesized from a DNA template, introns are transcribed (see transcription) along with exons. In the splicing process, this material is cut out and the exons are joined together to form a continuous coding sequence.
Suppressor Gene: a gene which helps to reverse the effects of damage to an individual's genetic material, typically effects which might lead to uncontrolled cell growth (as would occur in cancer). A suppressor gene may, for example, code for a protein which checks genes for misspellings, and/or which triggers a cell's self-destruction if too many genetic mutations have accumulated.
Toxicogenomics: a new scientific subdiscipline that combines the emerging technologies of genomics and bioinformatics to identify and characterize mechanisms of action of known and suspected toxicants. Currently, the premier toxicogenomic tools are the DNA microarray and the DNA chip, which are used for the simultaneous monitoring of _expression levels of hundreds to thousands of genes.
Transcription: the process during which the information in a length of DNA is used to construct an mRNA molecule.
Transcriptomics: techniques available to identify mRNA from actively transcribed genes.
Transcriptome: mRNA from actively transcribed genes
Transcript Profiling: see transcripomics
Transfer RNA (tRNA): RNA molecules which bond with amino acids and transfer them to ribosomes, where protein synthesis is completed.
Transformation: A process by which the genetic material carried by an individual cell is altered by incorporation of exogenous DNA into its genome.
Transgenic: An organism whose genome has been altered by the inclusion of foreign genetic material. This foreign genetic material may be derived from other individuals of the same species or from wholly different species. Genetic material may also be of an artificial nature. Foreign genetic information can be added to the organism during its early development and incorporated in cells of the entire organism. As an example, mice embryos have been given the gene for rat growth hormone allowing mice to grow into large adults. Genetic information can also be added later in development to selected portions of the organism. As an example, experimental genetic therapy to treat cystic fibrosis involves selective addition of genes responsible for lung function and is administered directly to the lung tissue of children and adults. Transgenic organisms have been produced that provide enhanced agricultural and pharmaceutical products. Insect resistant crops and cows that produce human hormones in their milk are just two examples.
Transgenic Organism: an organism whose genome has been altered by the incorporation of foreign, or exogenous DNA.
Translation: the process during which the information in mRNA molecules is used to construct proteins.
Vector: [1] An organism which serves to transfer a disease causing organism (pathogen) from one organism to another. [2] a mechanism whereby foreign gene(s) are moved into an organism and inserted into that organism's genome. Retroviruses such as HIV serve as vectors by inserting genetic information (DNA ) into the genome of human cells. Bacteria can serve as vectors in plant populations.
Xenobiotic(s): substances not normally present in the reference organism 
BIOTECHNOLOGY SOCIETY OF NIGERIA (BSN)
The Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN) was initiated by Prof. C. I. C. Ogbonna and formally inaugurated at the University of Jos in 1983 and its pioneer national president was Prof. C. Ejike.
The inaugural conference/convention was held in 1985 at the University of Jos. Ever since; BSN has been holding its convention/conferences and publishing its journal annually.
The Society started with membership strength of 30 and has since grown in strength of over 2,500 active members. Membership of the society has cut across all science and engineering disciplines and it’s still growing.
Some of the Fellows of the Society include: Prof. C. Ejike, Dr. A. G. Lamorde, Prof. R. U. Alabi, Prof. S. A. Geba, Dr. M. I. Agba and Dr. N. N. Shidali.
Aims and objectives:
·        promote cooperation on Biotechnological advancement in Nigeria and the International Community;
·        provide for a discussion on all aspects of biotechnological development both within the Research institutions, Universities, Government agencies, Industries and other related interests;
·        help on the development of current biotechnological models which will solve current and future problems within the Nigerian society;
·        popularize the concept and application of Biotechnology within the Nigerian population;
·        perform other functions which at any point will enhance the interest of the Biotechnology Society of Nigeria.
FUNCTIONS
·        encourage the exchange of ideas among scientists of different disciplines on the concept and application of biotechnology through meetings such as conferences, symposia, workshops, exhibitions and publications;
·        produce the Journal of Biotechnology Society of Nigeria and other scientific publications;
·        interact with different bodies concerned with the development of biotechnology and its advancement.
Membership
·        Membership of the association is open to all categories of persons who related directly or indirectly to different facets of science and technology either in their homes, places of work, research laboratories, hospitals and all others. The categories of members include:
(a)  Student members: students duly registered in any recognized institution who show keen interest in the are of biotechnology.
(b) Associate members: these could be graduates of any science discipline who are interested in any aspect of biotechnology. They could be diploma graduates or its equivalent of science and technology based discipline from any recognized institution. These could also be non graduates who have made technological break through and have reputable referees.
(c)  Ordinary members: these include degree holders of science & technology based discipline from any recognized institution, associate members with a minimum period of 5 years continuous membership or higher qualification.
(d) Fellows: These include members who have distinguished themselves biotechnological in their areas of specialization.
(e)  Honorary members: these include persons who must have been engaged in research, or in industries and are known to have shown interest in the society.
(f)   Life members:
(g)  Corporate members: These include all Educational and research institutions related to the areas of biotechnology; industries, publishers, manufactures and other related agencies.

Back Page