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Emerging Technology

Biotechnology: A Technology Forecast.

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Authors: Dr. John H. Vanston and Henry Elliott
Edited by: Michael Bettersworth
Publication date: July 2006
ISBN: 0-9786773-1-5
250 Pages

This report examines fundamental trends driving advances in biotechnology, includes discussions with leading biotech experts, provides examples of biotechnology curriculum and new courses available in Texas, and makes strategic recommendations to increase the competitiveness of Texas biotechnology companies and educational programs. While there are a number of established biotechnology programs in Texas, industry indicates the required skills for biotechnicians are evolving due to increasing automation, robotics, and instrumentation. According to Janet Varela of Kelly Scientific, "The most significant development in biotech over the next years will be the lack of a qualified workforce to meet the needs of the emerging technologies." Biotechnology will continue to converge with other developing technologies, such as health care, information technologies, and nanotechnology, and as biotech activities move from research to development to commercialization, the demand and percentage of biotechnicians with two year degrees will continue to increase.

List of Appendices	iv
List of Figures	iv
List of Tables	v
Preface	vii
Executive Summary	xi
Chapter One: Recommendations	1
Recommendations for Commmunity and Technical Colleges	1
Recommendations for the Texas Leardership Consortium for Curriculum Development (CCD)	7
Texas State Government	9
Joint Activities	12
Overview	15
Chapter Two: Biotechnology Overview	17
Biotech Industry	18
The Future of Biotechnology	26
Current and Planned Research Activities	29
Shorter-Term Projections	32
Overview	34
Chapter Three: Status of Texas CTC Biotech Programs	35
Employment Opportunities	35
Graduate Salaries	39
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities	41
Career Lattices	46
Current Biotech Programs	49
Estimated Capacity of Existing CTC Biotech Programs	54
Academic Coordination	55
Initiating New Courses and Programs	57
Coordination with Industry	58
Promotion of Biotech as a Profession	59
Chapter Four: Special Biotech Programs	61
Bioinstrumentation	61
Bioinformatics	68
DNA and Human Health	75
Bioagriculture	84
Chapter Five: Status of Biotech in Texas	93
Texas Positions in Biotech	93
Current Biotech Activities in Texas	98
Special Convergence Considerations	107
Chapter Six: Summary and Conclusions	109
List of Appendices	111
Appendix A: Survey	111
Appendix B: Biotech Experts Consulted	125
Appendix C: Biotech Experts Meeting	129
Appendix D: Recommendations to the CCD	135
Appendix E: Current CTC Biotech Programs	143
Appendix F: Approved Biotech Programs and Courses	155
Appendix G: References	157
About TSTC Publishing	163
List of Figures
Figure 1: Biotech Company Funding Stages	22
Figure 2: A DNA Molecule	24
Figure 3: Protein Translation	24
Figure 4: Bioprocessing Apparatus	25
Figure 5: Flexible Lab Automatic System/Handler	28
Figure 6: Biosensor and Drug Delivery	29
Figure 7: Biomass Sources in Texas	31
Figure 8: New Entrant Employees Over the Last Year	36
Figure 9: Projected Entrant Employees in Next Year	36
Figure 10: Projected Entrant Employees Between One and Four Years	37
Figure 11: Starting Salaries for Entry Level Biotechnicians	39
Figure 12: Biotech Salaries after Five Years	40
Figure 13: Types of Technicians Currently Employed or Expected to Be Employed in Next Three Years	41
Figure 14: Required Technician Competencies	42
Figure 15: Equipment that Technicians Must Be Able to Use, Calibrate, Maintain, and Repair	43
Figure 16: Important General Skills and Qualifications	43
Figure 17: Required KSAs Five Years from Now	45
Figure 18: Preference Education Level	47
Figure 19: Organization of Support of Continued Education	47
Figure 20: Willingness of Industry to Cooperate with Academia	59
Figure 21: Roche Diagnostics AmpliChip CYP450	62
Figure 22: NMR Spectrometer	63
Figure 23: The Use of Computers to Process Biological Information	69
Figure 24: Protein Translation	77
Figure 25: Relationship between the "Omics"	77
Figure 26: Results of Insect Infestation of Bt (right) and non-Bt (left) Cotton Bolls	86
Figure 27: Splitting Embryos of Highland Cattle	87
Figure 28: Growth of Biotech Crops	88
Figure 29: Importance of Various Factors to Biotech Company Success	95
Figure 30: Strength of Texas in Business Success Factors	95
Figure 31: Texas Biotech Company Funding Sources	98
List of Tables
Table 1: Estimated Capacity of Existing CTC Biotech Programs	54
Table 2: Current CTC Articulation Agreements with Four-Year Colleges	56
Table 3: Biotechnology Systems Instrumentation Program – AAS Degree	66
Table 4: National Center for Biotechnology Information – Important Bioinformatics Databases	72
Table 5: University Bioinformatics Research Groups	73
Table 6: Foothills College Bioinstrumentation Curriculum	75

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Biotechnology: A Technology Forecast.

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