Biotechnology

by John Vanston and Henry Elliott

Jul 01, 2006 Print Article
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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.

Table of Contents

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

Forecasts

About the authors

John Vanston

Dr. John Vanston is an internationally-renowned consultant, educator, and author in the fields of technology forecasting, emerging trends, technology/market integration, and technology management in uncertain environments. He founded Technology Futures, Inc. (TFI) in 1978, and served as its president for 14 years, building the Austin, Texas-based company into a leader in the technology forecasting, planning, and management fields.

Dr. Vanston has conducted research, consulting, and education projects for a wide range of commercial, government, and academic organizations, including, among many others, Chevron Chemical, Kodak, Boeing, Nortel, National Security Agency, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, and the Texas State Technical College System.

Prior to establishing TFI, Dr. Vanston served as a professor of nuclear engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. He also served as deputy director of the University's Center for Energy Studies, an interdisciplinary organization that he helped establish in 1974. Earlier, Dr. Vanston served as a Lt. Col. in the U.S. Army.
Henry Elliott

Henry Elliott is a research consultant at Autin-based Technology Futures Inc. where he has worked on projects involving the valuation of IT solutions companies, analysis of emerging technology paradigms, sustainable economic development, and the study of emerging industry and technology trends.

Prior to joining TFI, Mr. Elliott was a co-founder of Nanotechnologies Inc., an Austin-based startup nanomaterials company where he did strategic market analysis and established relationships with strategic partners. Mr. Elliott is a member of the Materials Research Society and the International Microelectronics and Packaging Society. Mr. Elliott received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Houston and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.

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