Explore the world of infectious diseases - a vital and exciting area of scientific research. A timely feature story called, "Vaccines: Boosting Your Defenses," along with an in-depth article on the emergence of new diseases such as SARS and older diseases including AIDS, are available in this issue.

Read about the efforts to manufacture more eco-friendly products and materials for consumers. Study the strides made to find renewable sources of energy, to clean and protect the environment, and to use computers to put data to practical use.

Interest in this field is blossoming as scientists recognize the potential of using plants to manufacture useful proteins. This issue provides answers to these questions: What is involved in making plant-made pharmaceuticals, or PMPs? Are PMPs safe and effective? How are policymakers dealing with PMPs?

The issue offers an overview of the progress made in unraveling the secrets of the human genome, and examines how proteins are made, genetic testing, DNA fingerprinting, personalized medicine and the role of math in genetics. This issue is an additional resource for the traveling museum exhibit Genome: The Secret of How Life Works.

Advances in biotechnology enable scientists to study how the brain of a drug or alcohol abuser differs from a healthy brain, and whether genetics may play a role in determining if an individual becomes an addict. This understanding opens doors to new treatments and prevention.

The bioterrorism threat has made all of us aware that scientific discoveries may be used in destructive ways. However, manipulating microbes can also make life better by helping to cure disease and clean up the environment. For example, microbes may reduce water pollution by breaking up waste materials or be used to combat cystic fibrosis.

Among today's students are the scientists, doctors and technicians of tomorrow whose discoveries will take us closer to preventing, treating and curing cancer. This issue informs students about behaviors that increase their risks for many types of cancer.

This issue is dedicated to explorations of the human genome, one of the most provocative areas of biotechnology, and was published to coincide with the PBS NOVA special "Cracking the Code of Life." Articles include: "The Breast Cancer Gene: Fate or Risk?", "Iceland: 1,100 + years of Genetic Solitude" and "Why Tay-Sachs Disease?"

Today, scientists are using their understanding of DNA to develop plants with specialized traits, ranging from disease and pest resistance to better taste and nutrition. Articles include: "Creating Better Plants," "Weed Warriors," and "Monarch Butterfly Effect."

Follow the trail of scientific discovery from identifying a deadly new disease, like AIDS, to treating and trying to prevent it. Articles include: "Discovering the Cause of AIDS," "The Combination Drug Cocktail," "New Approaches to Drugs," and "Vaccines."

All biotechnology research depends on computers. This issue describes a few of the computer modeling techniques and bioinformatic systems that provide a faster and more direct way of researching genetics and drugs. Articles include: "Viewing Molecules and Proteins," "SNPs and Chips," and "Hunting for Genes."

This issue covers the basic science behind a new world of medicine, a world which young people will have as a healthcare option in the future. Understanding how genes influence our individuality is just the beginning. Today's scientists are investigating what each gene does and how we might use them to treat even the toughest diseases.

Dip beneath the surface of our planet's oceans and discover amazing worlds populated by a tremendous variety of fish, mammals, and microorganisms. Articles include: "Exploring Diversity in the Sea," "The Biotechnology Porthole," and "The Ocean Superstore."

Explore how biotechnology will influence your life and world by introducing you to the new area of tissue engineering. Research in this area is underway to discover how tissues can be restored, maintained, or replaced by engineering or creating new tissues.

Explore how biotechnology will influence your life and your world by delving into the science of diagnostics. The articles in this issue highlight important subjects, including the world of medical detectives, immunodiagnostics, genetic diagnostics, and practices for safeguarding the blood bank.

This issue provides a glimpse into what we know about the way normal brains work and about brain disorders, how research and technology help us learn about the fundamental molecular workings of the brain, and how this understanding can lead to the discovery of new medicines to treat brain disorders.

Articles include: "The Human Genome Project," "The Structure and Function of DNA," and "Mapping the Human Genome."

You can't tell by looking at them if animals are "transgenic," or carry an extra gene. Articles include: "From Wolf to Poodle-Taming and Changing Animals," "The Science of Breeding," "Healthier Foods, Healthier Animals."

Gene therapy opens new horizons in treating disease. Articles include: "Getting New Genes into Cells," "Vectors: Vehicles for Transferring Genes," and "Gene Therapy for Cancer and Infectious Diseases."

Articles include: "The Natural Classroom," "Preserving Biodiversity," and "Bioremediation: Baceteria's Top Job."

Articles include: "Vaccines: Shortcut to Immunity," "Imitating the Immune Response," and "The Next Wave: Recombinant Vaccines."

Articles include: "Fermentation: Putting Microorganisms to Work," "Scaling up," and "Careers in Biotechnology."

Articles include: "The Human Genome Project," "Structure and Function of DNA," and "Mapping the Genome."

Articles include: "DNA and the FBI," "Cystic Fibrosis: We found the gene. We will find the cure," and "Extracting DNA and Preparing it for Profiling."

Articles include: "What is Biotechnology," "The Human Growth Hormone," and "Stopping Rabies Among Wild Animals."