Presented from the perspective of the biotech industry, this laboratory handbook/textbook reference gives a systematic, understandable, and practical introduction to fundamental laboratory methods and provides a foundation upon which students can build a career in the lab. The authors balance background and theory with practical information, drawing material from many sources: analytical chemistry texts, molecular biology manuals, industry standards, government regulations, manufacturer and supplier information, and the useful laboratory "lore" that is part of the industry's oral tradition. KEY TOPICS: The Modern Biotechnology Industry: A Broad Overview, The Business of Biotechnology: The Transformation of Knowledge into Products, Pharmaceutical/Biopharmaceutical Products, Introduction to Product Quality Systems, Biotechnology and the Regulation of Food and Medical Products, Documentation, the Foundation of Quality, Quality Systems in the Production Facility, Quality Systems in the Laboratory, Introduction to a Safe Workplace, Working Safely in the Laboratory: General Considerations and Physical Hazards, Working Safely with Chemicals, Working Safely with Biological Materials, Basic Math Techniques, Proportional Relationships, Relationships and Graphing, Descriptions of Data (Descriptive Statistics), Introduction to Quality Laboratory Measurements, Tests and Assays, Introduction to Instrumental Methods and Electricity, The Measurement of Weight, The Measurement of Volume, The Measurement of Temperature, The Measurement of pH, Selected Ions and Conductivity, Measurements Involving Light A. Basic Principles and Instrumentation, Introduction to Quality Laboratory Tests and Assays, Measurements Involving Light B. Applications and Methods, Preparation of Laboratory Solutions A: Concentration Expressions and Calculations, Preparation of Laboratory Solutions B. Basic Procedures and Practical Information, Solutions: Associated Procedures and Information, Laboratory Solutions to Support the Activity of Biological Macromolecules, Culture Media for Intact Cells, Introduction to Filtration, Introduction to Centrifugation, Introduction to Bioseparations, Computers: An Overview, Data Handling with Computers, Applications of the Internet to Biotechnology. MARKET: Itended for those interested in learning the basics of laboratory methods for biotechnology