The term biotechnology has emerged on the contemporary scene fairly recently, but the basic concept of utilizing natural materials, either directly or in modified versions, dates back to antiquity. If we search the ancient literature, such as the Bible, we find hundreds of examples wherein people employed, or modified, natural materials for a variety of important uses. As far back as the days of Noah we find pitch, a natural material, being used as a caulk. Clothing was made from animal skins and the products of several plants. Today, we would consider these things as important biotechnological developments. Likewise, the human use of polymeric materials also has a long his­ tory. In fact, many of the original materials used by mankind were poly­ mers derived from nature, such as wood, flax, cotton, wool and animal skins, which were used for shelter and clothing. In recent years, however, the concept of biotechnology has taken on a new and renewed role in our society. This is due to a combination of factors, including an increased interest in environmental concerns and the desire to break free from the stranglehold that petrochemicals have placed on our society. If we can manufacture some of our polymers from renewable resources, then we can expect to prepare them for many more years into the future than we might if we could only depend on the petro­ chemical resources.

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Novel BiotechnologyDerived Polymers: New and Traditional Polymers from Biotechnology (C.G. Gebelein). Use of the Antiviral and Immune Modulator, Poly(ICLC), in the Treatment of AIDS (H. Levy et al.). Synthesis and Interaction of Water Soluble Nucleic Acid Analogs (K. Takemoto et al.). Influence of Copolymer Structure on Properties of Poly-beta-Hydroxyalkanoates (R.H. Marchessault et al.). Biodegradation of Blends Containing Poly(3-hydroxybutyratecovalerate (P. Dave et al.). Polysaccharide Based Systems: Examples of nalytical Approaches to Industrially Important Poly(saccharides) (J.F. Kennedy et al.). Bacterial Polysaccharides for Use in Food and Agriculture (V.J. Morris). Degree of Substitution of Dextran Modified through Reaction with Organotannane Chlorides and Group IVB Metallocene Dichlorides (C.E. Carraher, Jr.). Acidic Polysaccharides: Their Modification and Potential Uses (R.J. Linhardt et al.). Protein and Enzyme Based Systems: Quinone Chemistry: Applications in Bioadhesion (L.M. Rzepecki et al.). Synthetic Mussel Adhesive Proteins (D. Masilamani et al.). Poly(VAL1-PRO2-ALA3-VAL4-GLY5): A Reversible, Inverse Thermoplastic (D.W. Urry et al.). 15 additional articles. Index.