Key Features
- Provides a systems approach to biotechnologies which includes the physical, biological, and chemical processes in context
- Case studies include cutting-edge technologies such as nanobiotechnologies and green engineering
- Addresses both the applications and implications of biotechnologies by following the life-cycle of a variety of established and developing biotechnologies
Chapter 1: Environmental Biotechnology: An OverviewBiochemodynamicsAssessing the Biotechnological ImpactsBiotechnology and Bioengineering Discussion Box: Little Things Matter in a Chaotic WorldThe Environmental Biotechnology Discipline Biotechnology and SocietyRisk and Reliability: Some Forethought Beyond Biotechnological Applications TerminologyEureka!Oh No!The Science of Environmental BiotechnologyBoxes and EnvelopesReview QuestionsNotes and Commentary
Chapter 2: A Question of Balance: Using versus Abusing Biological Systems Environmental Biomimicry Engineered Systems Inspired by BiologyEnvironmental Biochemodynamics Biophile CyclingSequestration Carbon Sequestration in Soil Active SequestrationNitrogen and Sulfur BiochemodynamicsReview Questions Notes and Resources
Chapter 3: Environmental Biochemodynamic ProcessesCellular Thermodynamics Importance of Free Energy in Microbial MetabolismDissolution Phase Partitioning Thermodynamics in Abiotic and Biotic Systems Volatility/Solubility/Density Relationships Environmental Balances Fugacity Sorption Volatilization Bioavailability Persistent Bioaccumulating Toxic Substances Discussion Box: The Inuit and Persistent Organic Pollutants Extrinsic Factors Biochemodynamic Persistence and Half-Life Fugacity, Z Values, and Henry’s Law Advection Dispersion Aerodynamic and Hydrodynamic Dispersion Diffusion Overall Effect of the Fluxes, Sinks and Sources Biochemodynamic Transport Models Level 1 Model Level 2 Model Level 3 ModelReview QuestionsNotes and Commentary
Chapter 4: Systems Biotechnological Systems Putting Biology to Work Scale Systems Synergies: Biotechnological Analysis Using Bioindicators Biosensors Relationship between Green Engineering and Biotechnology Review Questions Notes
Chapter 5: Environmental Risks of BiotechnologiesEstimating Biotechnological RisksDose-ResponseExposure Estimation Discussion Box: Exposure Calculation Direct Bioengineering Risk CalculationsDiscussion Box: Cancer Risk Calculation Discussion Box: Non-cancer Risk Calculation Risk-based cleanup standardsDiscussion Box: Treatment by Genetic Modification Discussion Box: Risk-Based Contaminant Cleanup Discussion Box: Biotechnical CommunicationsReview QuestionsNotes and Commentary
Chapter 6: Reducing Biotechnological Risks Case Study Box: Genetic Biocontrols of Invaders Discussion Box: Discussion Box: Biochemodynamics of Pharmaceuticals Risk Causes Biographical Box: Sir Bradford Hill Case Study Box: Managing Risks by Distinguishing between Progenitor and Genetically Modified Microbes Failure: Human Factors Engineering Utility as a Measure of Success Failure Type 1: Mistakes and MiscalculationsFailure Type 2: Extraordinary Natural CircumstancesFailure Type 3: Critical PathFailure Type 4: NegligenceFailure Type 5: Lack of ImaginationBioterrorism: Bad BiotechnologyReview QuestionsNotes and Commentary
Chapter 7: Applied Microbial Ecology: BioremediationSystematic View of OxygenBiodegradation and BioremediationBiochemodynamics of Biodegradation Off-site TreatmentDigestionDiscussion Box: Biochemodynamic FilmsAerobic Biodegradation Trickling FilterActivated SludgeAeration PondsAnaerobic BiodegradationMultimedia-Multiphase BioremediationPhytoremediationBiomarkersBioengineering Considerations for Genetically Modified Organisms Discussion Box: Measuring Biodegradation Success Nitric Oxide as an Indicator of Degradation Humility in Biotechnological Modeling Developing an Indirect, Chemical Model of Microbial ActivityModel Comparison to Laboratory Study for Toluene DegradationReview QuestionsNotes and Commentary
Chapter 8: Biotechnological Implications: A Systems Approach Systematic View of Biotechnological Risks Applied Thermodynamics Predicting Environmental Implications Environmental Implications of Engineering Organisms Genetic Engineering Basics Conventional Breeding Approaches Modification of Organisms without Introducing Foreign DNAModification of Organisms by Introducing Foreign DNATransfected DNAVector-borne DNAEnvironmental Aspects of Cisgenic and Transgenic OrganismsForeign DNA in PlantsBiochemodynamic Flow of Modified Genetic MaterialReview QuestionsNotes and Commentary
Chapter 9: Environmental Risks of Biotechnologies: Economic Sector Perspectives Industrial Biotechnology Production of Enzymes The Organism Health and Safety Regulations Environmental Implications Medical Biotechnology Discussion Box: Patenting Life Bio-Uptake and Bioaccumulation Discussion Box: Hormonally Active Agents Determining Estrogenicity Environmental Fate of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds Treatment of EDCs in Drinking Water – UV applications Modeling the UV/H2O2 Process Environmental Implications Animal Biotechnology Agricultural BiotechnologyDiscussion Box: “King Corn or Frankencorn¿ Genetic Modification Gene FlowReview QuestionsNotes and Commentary
Chapter 10: Addressing Biotechnological Pollutants Cleaning Up Biotechnological OperationsIntervention at the Source of ContaminationIntervention at the Point of ReleaseIntervention during TransportIntervention to Control the ExposureIntervention at the Point of ResponseThermal Treatment of Biotechnological Wastes Calculating Destruction RemovalOther Thermal StrategiesNitrogen and Sulfur ProblemsReview QuestionsNotes and Commentary
Chapter 11: Analyzing the Environmental Implications of Biotechnologies Discussion Box: Biological Agent: StachybotrysLife Cycle as an Analytical Methodology Revisiting Failure and Blame Environmental Accountability Life Cycle ApplicationsUtility and the Benefit/Cost AnalysisPredicting Environmental Damage Analysis of Biotechnological Implications Checklist for Ethical Decision MakingReview QuestionsNotes and Commentary
Chapter 12: Managing Biotechnologies Bioengineering Perspectives Systematic Biotechnology and the Status Quo A Few Words about Environmental Ethics Biotechnology Decision Tools Accountability Value Informing Decisions Green Engineering and Biotechnology Green Engineering and Biotechnology Discussion Box: Probability and Biotechnology Risk Homeostasis and the Theory of Offsetting Behavior Artifacts Review Questions Notes and CommentaryGlossaryAppendix 1Appendix 2
