The Biotol Project The BIOTOL team This series of books has been developed through a collaboration between the Open universiteit of the OPEN UNIVERSITEIT, THE NETHERLANDS Netherlands and University of Green wich (formerly Thames Polytechnic)to provide a whole Prof M C E. van Dam-Mieras library of advanced level fle rof w. H. de jeu exible learning Prof ]. de vries materials including books, computer and video programmes. The series will be of particular value UNIVERSITY O to those working in the chemical, pharmaceutical, GREENWICH(FORMERLY health care, food and drinks, agriculture, and THAMES POLYTECHNIC environmental, manufacturing and service Prof B. r. currell industries. These industries will be increasingly Dr L W faced with training problems as the use of biologically based techniques replaces or enhances Mrr.a chemical ones or indeed allows the development of products previously impossible The BIOtOL books may be studied privately, but specifi effective major resource for in-house company training and are the basis for a wider range of courses(open, distance or traditional) from universities which, with practical and tutorial support, lead to recognised qualifications. There is a developing network of institutions throughout Europe to offer tutorial and practical support and courses based on BIOTOL both for those newly entering the field of biotechnology and for graduates looking for more advanced training. BIOTOL is for any one wishing to know about and use the principles and techniques of modern biotechnology whether they are technicians needing further education, new graduates wishing to extend their knowledge, mature staff faced with changing work or a new career, managers unfamiliar with the new technology or those returning to work after a career break Our leaning texts, written in an informal and friendly style, embody the best characteristics of both and distance learning to provide a flexible resource for ndividuals, training organisations, polytechnics and universities, and professional bodies. The content of each book has been carefully worked out between teachers and industry to lead students through a programme of work so that they may achieve clearly stated learning objectives. There are activities and exercises throughout the books, and self assessment questions that allow students to check their own progress and receive any necessary remedial help The books, within the series, are modular allowing students to select their own entry point depending on their knowledge and previous experience. These texts therefore remove the necessity for students to attend institution based lectures at specific times and places, bringing a new freedom to study their chosen subject at the time they need and a pace and place to suit them. This same freedom is highly beneficial to industry since staff can receive training without spending significant periods away from the workplace attending lectures and courses, and without altering work patternsV The Biotol Project The BIOTOL team OPEN UNNERSITEIT, THE NETHERLANDS Prof M. C. E. van Dam-Mieras Prof W. H. de Jeu Prof J. de Vries UNIVERSITYOF GREENWICH (FORMERLY THAMES POLYTECHNIC), UK Prof B. R. Currell Dr J. W. James Dr C. K. Leach Mr R. A. Patmore This series of books has been developed through a collaboration between the Open universiteit of the Netherlands and University of Greenwich (formerly Thames Polytechnic) to provide a whole library of advanced level flexible learning materials including books, computer and video programmes. The series will be of particular value to those working in the chemical, pharmaceutical, health care, food and drinks, agriculture, and environmental, manufacturing and service industries. These industries will be inmasingly faced with training problems as the use of biologically based techniques replaces or enhances chemical ones or indeed allows the development of products previously impossible. The BIOTOL books may be studied privately, but specifically they provide a cost￾effective mapr resource for in-house company training and are the basis for a wider range of courses (open, distance or traditional) from universities which, with practical and tutorial support, lead to recognised qualifications. There is a developing network of institutions throughout Europe to offer tutorial and practical support and courses based on BIOTOL both for those newly entering the field of biotechnology and for graduates looking for more advanced training. BIOTOL is for any one wishing to know about and use the principles and techniques of modem biotechnology whether they are technicians needing further education, new graduates wishing to extend their knowledge, mature staff faced with changing work or a new career, managers unfamiliar with the new technology or those retuming to work after a career break. Our learning texts, written in an informal and friendly style, embody the best characteristics of both open and distance learning to provide a flexible resource for individuals, training organisations, polytechnics and universities, and professional bodies. The content of each book has been carefully worked out between teachers and industry to lead students through a programme of work so that they may achieve clearly stated learning objectives. There are activities and exercises throughout the books, and self assessment questions that allow students to check their own progress and receive any necessary remedial help. The books, within the series, are modular allowing students to select their own entry point depending on their knowledge and previous experience. These texts therefore remove the necessity for students to attend institution based lectures at specific times and places, bringing a new freedom to study their chosen subject at the time they need and a pace and place to suit than This same fi.eedomis highly beneficial to industry since staff can receive trahing without spendmg signhcant periods away from the workplace attending lectures and courses, and without altering work patterns