GLOSSARY
Listed below are the definitions of the commonly used terms in life sciences:
Bioinformatics Using computer technology to manage large amounts of biological data (e.g., genetic information) for research in areas such as molecular biology, genomics and proteomics; development of databases and software tools related to the Human Genome Project and designed to ultimately improve the delivery of patient care through a better understanding of human biology.
Biomedical Informatics The science underlying the acquisition, maintenance, retrieval, and application of biomedical knowledge and information to improve individualized patient care, medical education, and health sciences research. Biomedical informatics is an intersection of the computer science, medicine, biology, and health care fields. The goals of biomedical informatics research focus on the search for new knowledge (basic research) and the use of knowledge towards practical ends (applications research).
Biotechnology A very diverse area within life sciences that involves the use of living organisms or biological techniques to provide chemicals (e.g., drugs), food and services that meet the needs of humans. Common examples of biotechnology drug products include antibiotics for bacterial infections and insulin for diabetes.
Clinical Trials An investigation in which the effectiveness and safety of new medications or treatments are tested. In the United States , all drugs must undergo three phases of clinical trials before being approved for general use.
Combinatorial Chemistry A collection of chemical and computational technologies for synthesizing, simulating and testing molecules to create a 'library' of many different compounds, which can be used to improve the activity of a drug or decrease side effects and reduce the development time and costs for pharmaceutical products.
Diagnostics The branch of medical science which deals with the classification of disease; commonly refers to testing techniques used to determine whether or not a specified disease is present in a human or other living organism (e.g., PSA test for prostate cancer detection).
Drug Discovery and Development A multi-stage process that includes the initial identification of targets for new drugs, the discovery and documentation of new drug candidates, and the subsequent development and clinical trials evaluation of a drug before it becomes approved for general use.
Electronic health record (EHR) / Electronic medical record (EMR) A digital repository of descriptions of a patient's medical conditions, the treatments administered and the outcomes obtained. Aggregations of such descriptions created by healthcare institutions. More information is available on the Agency for Health Research and Quality (AHRQ) National Resource Center for Health Information Technology website.
Genetics The scientific study of patterns of inheritance of specific traits; how particular qualities or traits are transmitted from parents to offspring.
Genomics The study of genes and their function, which involves the building of proteins from the information encoded by DNA, in the context of the total genetic information (genome) of an organism . Genomics is stimulating the discovery of breakthrough health care products by revealing thousands of new biological targets for the development of drugs and by giving scientists innovative ways to design new drugs, vaccines and diagnostic tests.
High Performance Computing A branch of computer science that concentrates on supercomputers, which are the fastest type of computers that use specialized applications requiring immense amounts of mathematical calculations; an example is the supercomputer at the Center for Computational Research (CCR) at University at Buffalo, which is designed for high performance computing demands in areas like bioinformatics.
Human Genome Project An international study of the entire human genetic material, which included contributions from local Roswell Park Cancer Institute Researchers who helped to identify the human DNA sequence (genes) in total; knowing the building blocks of humans will contribute to the understanding of disease and health processes and ultimately allow patient care to be delivered at the level of an individual's genetic makeup.
Immunology The study of the body's immune system or natural defense mechanisms against disease.
Immunotherapy A therapy that attempts to modify or enhance immune response, or reconstitute a damaged immune system by stimulating the body's own immune system. Research areas include finding treatments for cancer and HIV.
Medical Devices an instrument, apparatus, implement, machine, implant, or other similar or related article, including a component part, or accessory which is intended for use in the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of health conditions. Medical devices range from simple tongue depressors and bedpans to complex programmable pacemakers with micro-chip technology and laser surgical devices, as well as including in vitro diagnostic products, such as general purpose lab equipment, reagents, and test kits.
Medical Informatics A scientific field focused on the development of software applications (e.g., electronic medical records, automated health education) that improve health and wellness and the quality of care by facilitating tailored health communications and the diagnosis, treatment and management of patient health; use of information management technology to overcome the limitations of traditional methods for gathering, recording, storing, managing and communicating health information.
Molecular Biology The study of the biochemical and molecular processes within cells.
Neurology The scientific study of the nervous system, the bodily system made up of the brain and spinal cord. Specialists in this area treat such disorders as seizures, developmental delay, neuromuscular diseases, and severe or complicated language/learning disabilities.
Oncology The branch of science that deals with the physical, chemical and biological properties and features of cancer, including the causes and progression of the disease.
Ontology A structured representation of the types of entities and relations existing in a given domain that is designed to support exchange and reuse of data and information. Ontologies are used in biomedical informatics to support automatic retrieval and exchange of data across disciplinary boundaries.
Personalized Medicine Management of a patient's medical condition on the basis of the use of diagnostic tools employing molecular analysis of the patient's genome to achieve the optimal medical outcomes for that individual.
Pharmacology Pharmacology is the science of the properties of drugs and their effects on the body.
Pharmacogenomics The study of the interaction of an individual's genetic makeup and response to a drug.
Photodynamic Therapy A type of cancer treatment that uses the interaction between laser light and a substance that makes cells more sensitive to light and in turn causes a chemical reaction that destroys the cancer cells.
Photonics Technology of generating and harnessing light and other forms of radiant energy. The range of applications extends from energy generation, modulation and detection, and from information storage, processing and communications. Photonics incorporates the fields of optics, electrical engineering, physics, chemistry and materials science.
Proteomics The study and cataloging of proteins in an organism in order to determine how they interact with each other. Researchers believe that this may hold the keys to curing diseases in humans and identifying targets for drug development.
Structural Biology The study of the three-dimensional structure of molecules, such as proteins, and their interactions, as a way to understand how they function; facilitates the understanding and development of treatments for various diseases.
Systems Biology The study of the interactions between components of biological systems and of how these interactions give rise to the behavior of the system and to the functions of its constituents.
Translational Medicine A branch of medical research which seeks to draw inferences from research in basic biomedical sciences such as molecular and cell biology that are of significance for patient care.
News
Reception to Honor UB's Inventors, Entrepreneurs
05/04/2008 - BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo and its Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach (STOR) will recognize the research and commercialization achievements of faculty members at the annual Inventors and Entrepreneurs Reception to be held from 4-6 p.m. May 5 in The Buffalo Club, 388 Delaware Ave...[Read On]
Study Describes Mechanism Linking Alcohol with Risk of Breast Cancer
04/30/2008 - BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The known association of alcohol consumption with an increased risk of breast cancer has been linked by researchers at the University at Buffalo to a process that causes genes that promote normal cell growth to produce proteins that precipitate unregulated cell growth, an action known as hypermethylation...[Read On...]
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Events
May 6 - Dr. Austin Clean Room Program
Don’t miss the opportunity to hear one of the world’s foremost Cleanroom and Contamination Control Experts. Dr. Austin has published six textbooks on clean rooms and personally authored each of the clean room standards adopted by ISO. This program will take place from 2-6pm Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Center for Genetics & Pharmacology, Zebro Room, 701 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, NY. Register at www.thepartnership.org/events. See flyer for more information. 
May 8 – HWI Seminar Series
Please join Dr. Michael Rossman from Purdue University for a presentation on “Symmetry and asymmetry in the control of viral assembly, maturation and infection”. Program begins at 2:30pm with a reception to follow. Series is held at the Hauptman-Woodward Institute 700 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, NY 14203.
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