Bioinformatics: the application of information technology to manage and analyze the vast amounts of data generated from biological research.

Bioremediation: the use of biological systems, usually microorganisms, to decompose or sequester toxic and unwanted substances in the environment.

Biotechnology: the application of molecular biology for useful purposes.

Chromosome: the DNA-protein complexes that contain all the genes in a cell.

Codon: a sequence of three DNA or RNA bases that specifies an amino acid in the synthesis of a protein.

Combinatorial chemistry: a product discovery technique that uses robotics and parallel chemical reactions to generate and screen as many as several million molecules with similar structures in order to find chemical molecules with desired properties.

Data mining: using computers to analyze masses of information to discover trends and patterns.

Diagnostic: a product used for the diagnosis of a disease or medical condition.

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid): the primary source of genetic information in cells. DNA is made up of nucleotides and is composed of two strands wound around each other, called the double helix.

DNA fingerprinting: a DNA analysis method that measures genetic variation among individuals. This technology is often used as a forensic tool to detect differences or similarities in blood and tissue samples at crime scenes.

DNA sequencing: the process of determining the exact order of bases in a segment of DNA.

Double-blind: an experimental protocol whereby neither the experimental subjects nor the administrators know whether a drug or placebo is being administered. Double-blind protocols are used to eliminate bias.

Drug delivery: the process by which a formulated drug is administered to the patient.

Drug development: the process of taking a lead compound, demonstrating it to be safe and effective for use in humans, and preparing it for commercial-scale manufacture.