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Biosurfactants and biotechnology
T I B T E C H - M A Y 1 9 8 8 [Vol. 6]
Biotechnology in schools I would like to congratulate Paul B. J. Burton for his stance in his TIBTECH article, 'Biotechnology in high school: research for tomorrow?' (Ref. 1). He clearly states the benefits to industry from the introduction of original biotechnology research projects into the mainstream of high school curricula. Indeed, modern biotechnology is a natural continuation of biological subjects already taught in some high schools. To supplement a biological sciences program with original research is an important step in a pupil's preparation for further formal education or employment.
Mr Burton also related his offer of a research internship at the Massachusetts General Hospital, a consequence of his high school project. Considering that his high school project was performed in the UK, an offer from a US institution indicates that internationalism may well be fostered at this early stage of personal development. This offer has very important implications for the continued establishment of joint ventures across national borders. The recent furor over US-Japanese scientific exchanges and the consequent technology imbalances would suggest that our international view of the development of science and technol-
ogy is in need of repair. Lastly, the interests of public education in biotechnology will be well served by an early introduction of biotechnology research and instruction into high schools. An educated public is essential for the development of good managers, politicians, lawyers, journalists, and academics. Ultimately, all of these role players in the biotechnology industry are drawn from the public. These are only a few of the more obvious advantages of Mr Burton's farsighted suggestions. LAURENCE SEENATH Biotech Link Consultants, Inc., PO Box 80600, South Burnaby, BC V5H 3X9, Canada.
References 1 Burton, P. B. J. (1987) Trends Biotechnol. 5, 293-294 2 Sun, M. (1988) Science 239, 13-14
i i¸ i :i; i!iii:i!!i;ii :i!i i i¸¸i i i!: :: i::i!: i¸I¸iii;!i (i:/i:
:Le~ers:tOth~E~itor T e c h n o l o g y in t h e 1990s: U t i l i z a t i o n of L i g n o c e l l u l o s i c Wastes edited by B. S. Hartley, P. M. A. Broda and P. J. Senior, University Press, Cambridge ca £30. O0 (164 pages) ISBN 0 85403 313 0 Comprehensive coverage of all aspects of lignocellulosic utilization would be difficult to achieve in a single volume - this book represents a good attempt. The most serious shortcoming centres on the inadequate coverage of bacterial cellulases and hemicellulases. In the last five years, there have been substantial advances in the biochemistry and molecular biology of bacterial cellulases and these have been largely ignored, as has the role of xylanases in lignocellulose degradation. In view of the current worldwide interest in the utilization of lignocellulosic wastes, publication of this volume is opportune. The book gives a reasonably balanced view of the entire field and is unusual in that it deals with the nature
and extent of lignocellulose as a renewable resource as well as with the microbiology, biochemistry and molecular biology of lignocellulose degradation and the processes which have potential for commercial usage. Although not a textbook, it is highly recommended as a single source of reference for gaining a comprehensive view of current approaches and future prospects for more effective utilization of industrial and agricultural lignocellulosic wastes.
in:: ~6y topi 6
e ~aga]ine
Editor,
:
:
G . P. H .
Biosurfactants and Biotechnology edited by Naim Kosaric, W. L. Cairns andNeil C. C. Gray, MarcelDekker, Inc. $107. 50 (342 pages) ISBN 0 8247 7679 8 Some of the background biochemistry of this multi-author edited collection is useful but, apart from the sections on microbial enhanced oil recovery, the book presents much 'biotechnology push' without much
'market pull'. There is little detailed discussion of present or future industrial uses, or assessment of actual or potential market opportunities. Thus, the book is more 'applied biology' than 'biotechnology', which must keep a close watch on market and sales. It could nevertheless be useful to some researchers and is recommended for institutional libraries. V. M.
Biotechnology in schools I would like to congratulate Paul B. J. Burton for his stance in his TIBTECH article, 'Biotechnology in high school: research for tomorrow?' (Ref. 1). He clearly states the benefits to industry from the introduction of original biotechnology research projects into the mainstream of high school curricula. Indeed, modern biotechnology is a natural continuation of biological subjects already taught in some high schools. To supplement a biological sciences program with original research is an important step in a pupil's preparation for further formal education or employment.
Mr Burton also related his offer of a research internship at the Massachusetts General Hospital, a consequence of his high school project. Considering that his high school project was performed in the UK, an offer from a US institution indicates that internationalism may well be fostered at this early stage of personal development. This offer has very important implications for the continued establishment of joint ventures across national borders. The recent furor over US-Japanese scientific exchanges and the consequent technology imbalances would suggest that our international view of the development of science and technol-
ogy is in need of repair. Lastly, the interests of public education in biotechnology will be well served by an early introduction of biotechnology research and instruction into high schools. An educated public is essential for the development of good managers, politicians, lawyers, journalists, and academics. Ultimately, all of these role players in the biotechnology industry are drawn from the public. These are only a few of the more obvious advantages of Mr Burton's farsighted suggestions. LAURENCE SEENATH Biotech Link Consultants, Inc., PO Box 80600, South Burnaby, BC V5H 3X9, Canada.
References 1 Burton, P. B. J. (1987) Trends Biotechnol. 5, 293-294 2 Sun, M. (1988) Science 239, 13-14
i i¸ i :i; i!iii:i!!i;ii :i!i i i¸¸i i i!: :: i::i!: i¸I¸iii;!i (i:/i:
:Le~ers:tOth~E~itor T e c h n o l o g y in t h e 1990s: U t i l i z a t i o n of L i g n o c e l l u l o s i c Wastes edited by B. S. Hartley, P. M. A. Broda and P. J. Senior, University Press, Cambridge ca £30. O0 (164 pages) ISBN 0 85403 313 0 Comprehensive coverage of all aspects of lignocellulosic utilization would be difficult to achieve in a single volume - this book represents a good attempt. The most serious shortcoming centres on the inadequate coverage of bacterial cellulases and hemicellulases. In the last five years, there have been substantial advances in the biochemistry and molecular biology of bacterial cellulases and these have been largely ignored, as has the role of xylanases in lignocellulose degradation. In view of the current worldwide interest in the utilization of lignocellulosic wastes, publication of this volume is opportune. The book gives a reasonably balanced view of the entire field and is unusual in that it deals with the nature
and extent of lignocellulose as a renewable resource as well as with the microbiology, biochemistry and molecular biology of lignocellulose degradation and the processes which have potential for commercial usage. Although not a textbook, it is highly recommended as a single source of reference for gaining a comprehensive view of current approaches and future prospects for more effective utilization of industrial and agricultural lignocellulosic wastes.
in:: ~6y topi 6
e ~aga]ine
Editor,
:
:
G . P. H .
Biosurfactants and Biotechnology edited by Naim Kosaric, W. L. Cairns andNeil C. C. Gray, MarcelDekker, Inc. $107. 50 (342 pages) ISBN 0 8247 7679 8 Some of the background biochemistry of this multi-author edited collection is useful but, apart from the sections on microbial enhanced oil recovery, the book presents much 'biotechnology push' without much
'market pull'. There is little detailed discussion of present or future industrial uses, or assessment of actual or potential market opportunities. Thus, the book is more 'applied biology' than 'biotechnology', which must keep a close watch on market and sales. It could nevertheless be useful to some researchers and is recommended for institutional libraries. V. M.