Technology in Credo: Science & Research

Scientific discoveries in molecular biology in the early 1970s helped launch the knowledge-intensive field of biotechnology. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) defines biotechnology as “The application of Science and Technology to living organisms as well as parts, products and models thereof, to alter living or nonliving materials for the production of knowledge, goods and services.”

Device based on microelectronic circuits that can directly measure medically significant variables for the purpose of diagnosis or monitoring treatment.

The process of asexual reproduction observed, for example, in bacteria and other unicellular micro-organisms which divide by simple fission, so that the daughter cells are genetically identical to each other and to the parent (except when mutation occurs). In higher organisms, genetically identical individuals may be produced by cloning.

Any of several similar techniques for analyzing and comparing DNA from separate sources, used especially in law enforcement to identify suspects from hair, blood, semen, or other biological materials found at the scene of a violent crime.

All-inclusive term that describes the deliberate manipulation of genetic material by biochemical techniques. It is often achieved by the introduction of new DNA, usually by means of a virus or plasmid. This can be for pure research, gene therapy, or to breed functionally specific plants, animals, or bacteria. The potential public health benefits of genetic engineering are considerable, but so too are the potential harms.

The application of genetic engineering techniques to alter or replace a defective gene or genes inside the body's cells; intended to treat or prevent disease. The procedures are still at the experimental stage, but it is hoped that they could lead to the prevention of hereditary diseases such as haemophilia.

Credo's LibGuide on Agriculture and Food Science.

The application of science to the commercial processing of foodstuffs. Food is processed to make it more palatable or digestible, for which the traditional methods include boiling, frying, flour-milling, bread-, yogurt-, and cheese-making, and brewing; to prevent the growth of bacteria, moulds, yeasts, and other micro-organisms; or to preserve it from spoilage caused by the action of enzymes within the food that change its chemical composition, resulting in changes in flavour, odour, colour, and texture.

Genetically modified (GM) foods are increasingly controversial as they become more widespread. They have met a barrage of criticism and protest, and public confidence in them is low. New legislation on labelling has been introduced, partly in response to the controversy.

The use of genetically altered livestock, such as cows, goats, pigs, and chickens, to produce medically useful products.

The investigation of physical conditions in space and on stars, planets, and other celestial bodies through the use of artificial satellites, space probes, and spacecraft with human crews. The quest for greater knowledge and understanding—as well as Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union—fueled the modern space race in both unmanned and manned spacecraft, but humans have acknowledged the powers of the solar system since prehistoric times. Advanced technologies, and an increasing spirit of private enterprise, open possibilities for new adventures and frontiers.

An optical telescope launched into orbit around the Earth in 1990 in the space shuttle Discovery, allowing observation of a volume of the universe 350 times as large as that observable from Earth.

A reusable manned vehicle that takes off like a rocket but lands on a runway like an aircraft and which is designed to travel into space.

A large orbiting artificial satellite, where crews of astronauts can live and carry out scientific and technological research in space over periods of weeks or months.

Space vehicle carrying sophisticated instrumentation but no crew, designed to explore various aspects of the solar system

National Aeronautics and Space Administration; US government agency for space flight and aeronautical research.

Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire (French), European Organization for Nuclear Research, now known as the European Laboratory for Particle Physics.

Multinational agency dedicated to the promotion, for exclusively peaceful purposes, of cooperation among European states in space research and technology.

Former U.S. government commission created by the Atomic Energy Act of 1946 and charged with the development and control of the U.S. atomic energy program following World War II.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the capability of devices or mechanisms and machinery to perform functions usually associated with human intelligence, including scientific systems, reasoning, optimization through experience, and automated motor systems.

Research on manufacturing objects on the scale of 100 nanometers or less is called nanoscience or nanotechnology.

Science and technology of general purpose, programmable machine systems.