Nycomed AmershamAnnual report and accounts 2000
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Glossary

2-D gel electrophoresis
electrophoresis (usually of proteins) along two axes separating by size and charge
anatomical   the structure of the organism
artery   blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart
assay   test or chemical analysis
biopharmaceutical   a drug based upon biological molecules
brachytherapy   treatment of cancers by close range radiation
cardiology   study of, or treatment related to, the heart and blood vessels
cell   the structural and functional unit of all living organisms
cerebrovascular   pertaining to the blood vessels of the brain
chromatography   a technique used to analyse or separate proteins and DNA
coronary   the arteries that supply the heart muscle
DNA   deoxyribonucleic acid – the genetic material of most living organisms. Helps determine inherited
characteristics by controlling protein synthesis in cells
electrophoresis   separation technique based on movement in an electric field
essential tremor   a tremor that is associated with purposeful movement or motor activity
gene   a code composed of DNA, transmitted from one generation to another
genomics   the study of the genetic material on an organism-wide basis
genotyping   the process of describing the genetic constitution of an organism or cell
high throughput screening   simultaneous screening of large numbers of potential drug candidates
human genome   the set of genes that code for the human being
in vivo   biological processes observed in their natural environment – ie. in living organisms
ischaemic   a low oxygen state usually due to the obstruction of the arterial blood supply or inadequate blood flow
mass spectrometry   analysis tool using a substance’s mass to charge ratio
metabolism   the process of biochemical changes taking place as a substance is absorbed into the body
molecule   the smallest, most fundamental unit of a chemical compound that can take part in a chemical reaction
monoclonal antibody   an antibody produced by a single type of immune cell which binds to a specific part of its protein target
morbidity   disease rate
mortality   death rate
MRI   magnetic resonance imaging – an imaging technique using a magnetic field to produce detailed high resolution images of the body
myocardial infarction   a term used to describe irreversible injury to heart muscle
neurology   study of or treatment related to the brain
non-ionic   a substance which remains electrically neutral when placed in solution
nucleotide   the building block of DNA and RNA
oligonucleotide   a short molecule consisting of several linked nucleotides (typically between 10 and 60)
oncology   study of, or treatment related to, cancer
peptide   a short sequence of amino acids forming part of a protein
pharmacogenomics   the influence of genetic make-up on response to drugs
protein   a molecule, encoded by DNA and RNA, which is responsible for control of cellular functions
proteomics   the study of specific proteins expressed by the genome
sequencing   identifying the order of nucleotides in DNA
SNP   single nucleotide polymorphism – very small genetic variations between individuals
stenosis   narrowing of the blood vessels
stroke   a condition due to lack of oxygen to the brain
toxicology   the study of poisonous substances
ultrasound   a sonic wave sent through the body partly reflected back by tissues and used to build up an image of different organs
virus   intracellular parasites
X-ray  

electromagnetic radiation sent through the body and absorbed by higher density structures, thus
producing an image which is captured on a film

 

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