Download glossary of technical terms

GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS
This glossary contains explanations of certain terms used in this prospectus in connection with the
Group and its business. The terms and their meanings may or may not correspond to standard industry
meaning or usage of these terms.
“AIDS”
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. An epidemic disease
caused by an infection by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1),
a retrovirus that causes immune system failure and debilitation
and is often accompanied by cancers such as Kaposi’s Sarcoma as
well as secondary infections such as tuberculosis.
“biochemistry”
The study of the chemical and physio-chemical processes of living
organisms.
“bioremediation”
The use of biotechnology to manage waste material or
contamination.
“biotechnology”
The field of science and engineering relating to the adaptation of
living organisms or biological processes to industrial and
commercial applications.
“commercialisation”
The process whereby new ideas or inventions are turned into
commercially viable product applications for sale in the market.
“chromosome”
The self-replicating structure in cells that contains the organism’s
genetic information.
“DNA”
Deoxyribonucleic acid, a complex molecule found in the
chromosomes of almost all organisms, made up of four different
kinds of bases, which are abbreviated A, C, T and G. A DNA
fragment that is ten bases long might have a base sequence of, for
example, ATCGTTCCTG. The particular sequence of bases
encodes important information in an individual’s genetic blueprint
and is unique for each individual (except identical twins).
“DNA replication”
The use of existing DNA as a template for the synthesis of new
DNA strands.
“DNA sequence”
The relative order of base pairs, whether in a fragment of DNA, a
gene, a chromosome or an entire genome.
“eco-agriculture”
Agricultural products benefiting the environment or agricultural
methods which do not negatively impact the environment.
“enzyme”
A protein that catalyses a biological reaction.
“enzyme engineering”
A technique for isolating and studying enzymes and creating
tailor-made enzymes by altering the genes that code them either
enhancing or suppressing their activities.
“fermentation”
The chemical decomposition of a substance, usually a
carbohydrate, due to the action of enzymes produced by bacteria,
yeasts or molds. Fermentation usually occurs in an oxygen-free
environment and involves the conversion of starch or sugar into
ethyl alcohol.
“functional proteomics”
The use of genetic technology to determine the function of
proteins.
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GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS
“gene”
The fundamental physical and functional unit of heredity,
comprising a sequence of nucleotides that encodes a specific
functional product.
“gene expression”
The process by which a gene’s coded information is converted
into the structures present and operating in the cell.
“genetic code”
The sequence of nucleotides, coded in triplets (codons) along the
mRNA, that determines the sequence of amino acids in protein
synthesis.
“genetic engineering”/
“genetic modification”
The insertion of a nucleotide sequence into an organism.
“genetics”
The study of the patterns of inheritance of specific traits.
“genome”
All the genetic material in the chromosomes of a particular
organism.
“genomic sequence”
The order of the subunits, called bases, that make up a particular
fragment of DNA in a genome.
“HIV”
Human immunodeficiency virus. A type of retrovirus that is
responsible for AIDS.
“microbe”
A microscopic organism.
“molecular biology”
The study of the genesis and functions of biological molecules
associated with living organisms.
“mRNA”
Messenger RNA, one class of RNA that serves as a template for
protein synthesis.
“nucleotides”
A sub-unit of DNA or RNA consisting of a nitrogenous base
(adenine, guanine, thymine or cytosine in DNA; adenine, guanine,
uracil, or cytosine in RNA), a phosphate molecule and a sugar
molecule (deoxyribose in DNA and ribose in RNA). Thousands of
nucleotides are linked to form a DNA or RNA molecule.
“nutraceuticals”
Substances for human consumption, such as traditional foods,
isolated nutrients, herbs, plants and dietary supplements, which
have health-enhancing capabilities.
“oncology”
The study of tumours.
“pharmacology”
The science of the action of drugs on the body.
“prophylactic approach”
An approach related to the prevention of the occurrence or spread
of diseases.
“protein”
A large molecule composed of one or more chains of amino acids
in a specific order. Proteins are required for the structure,
function, and regulation of the bodies cells, tissues and organs,
and each protein has unique functions. Examples are hormones,
enzymes and antibodies.
“protein engineering”
A technique for isolating and studying proteins and creating tailormade proteins by altering the genes that code them.
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GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS
“proteomics”
The study of proteins encoded by the genome. Generally taken to
mean the high throughput systematic separation, identification and
characterisation of proteins.
“retrovirus”
Any of a group of viruses, many of which produce tumours, that
contain RNA and reverse transcriptase, including the virus that
causes AIDS.
“RNA”
Ribonucleic acid, a nucleic acid found in all living cells, which
plays a role in transferring information from DNA to the protein,
forming the system of the cell.
“sequencing”
Determination of the order of nucleotides in DNA or RNA
molecules or the order of amino acids in a protein.
“structural biology”
The study of the physical structure and physical chemistry of
living organisms.
“therapeutic approach”
An approach related to the treatment of diseases after their
occurrence.
“transcriptase”
An enzyme that catalyses the formation of RNA from a DNA
template in the process of transcription.
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