Students taking the new biotechnology courses at JCC will be imaging three-dimensional pictures of DNA and proteins on computers.
They will be learning how to make protein mutants in animal cells in culture.

They'll extract DNA from their own cheek cells for a representation of themselves more accurate than any photograph: their own absolutely unique DNA fingerprint.

They'll develop their own well-informed opinions on issues pulled from today's and tomorrow's headlines including stem cell research, human growth hormones, genetically-engineered food, cloning, and genetic screening.

These students are looking at a very promising future. "Society is at a crossroads," said Jacqueline Crisman, coordinator of JCC's biotechnology curriculum. "For the first time in human history, we can manipulate living organisms to achieve our social and economic goals. A surge of media coverage about stem cells, DNA-based medicines, and genetic engineering of corn and cattle stand as a testament to the escalating rate of this technology."

In simplest terms, biotechnology is the use of biological processes, organisms, or systems to manufacture products intended to improve the quality of human life. The earliest biotechnologists were farmers who improved species of plants and animals by cross-pollination or cross-breeding. In recent years, biotechnology has expanded in sophistication, scope, and applicability to include:

* medical processes such as re-engineering organisms to produce new drugs, or using stem cells to regenerate damaged human tissues and perhaps re-grow entire organs.
* industrial processes such as the production of new chemicals or the development of new fuels for vehicles.
* agricultural processes such as the development of pest-resistant grains or the accelerated evolution of disease-resistant animals.
*processes in marine and aquatic environments, such as controlling the proliferation of noxious water-borne organisms.

"These technologies are growing by leaps and bounds. Employees trained in biotechnology will be in demand well into the future," said Dr. Crisman. "Career opportunities are plentiful for college graduates at all levels including those with associate degrees.

With student demand projected to increase, JCC is developing a full Associate in Science degree program in biotechnology. "The program is still being developed and will not be officially in place until the New York State Education Department and SUNY grant approval," said Dr. Crisman.

"However, certain core courses such as Cell Biology, Genetics, and others are in place and students can include these courses as part of the Associate in Science in Math/Science degree," she added. "These types of courses form the core of almost all bachelor's degrees in biology and biochemistry nationwide."

Dr Crisman is also offering an Introduction to Biotechnology course this summer for high school students interested in this rapidly growing field. Students in the course will study diseases, such as AIDS, and how biotechnology can be used to treat or cure them.

"The intention is to give them a chance to check out the field before college, and it's a really cool way to get college credits," said Dr Crisman.

JCC's planned biotechnology degree program is being designed as a transfer degree so graduates can make a smooth transition to four-year bachelor's programs which serve as a pipeline to graduate training.

"Students find biotechnology attractive for its far-reaching benefits," emphasized Dr. Crisman. "The field's benefits to medicine are particularly appealing to students. Drugs used to treat AIDS, stroke, diabetes, and cancer make up the bulk of biotechnology medications currently on the market, and cancer therapies based on biotechnology remains a critical target for biomedical researchers, veterinarians and physicians."

For additional information, contact Dr. Crisman at 716/338-1373.