AIDS	Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome.
Amino acid	A substance that is essential as a building block in the formation of protein.
Analyte	A chemical or microbiological element being investigated by an analytical method, e.g. in blood samples. Usually the identification and/or the amount are determined by a separation and estimation technique.
Antibody	A protein produced by the immune system to protect the body against antigens. An antibody recognises and detects a specific foreign chemical or microbial agent.
Antigen	A foreign substance that induces the body to produce antibodies and which triggers the immune system.
ARTS™	The tradename in the USA of SSR™. Please see SSR™.
bhCG	Beta-human Chorion Gonadotropin, the human pregnancy hormone. The analyte measured by a pregnancy test.
BHK	Baby Hamster Kidney cells – a cell line used for manufacturing in the biopharmaceutical industry.
Biomanufacturing	The manufacturing of active substances by the use of biologic organisms.
Biopharmaceutical	A substance of biological origin, i.e. non-synthetic, used as active ingredient within the field of pharmacology.
BSE	Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, known as “mad cow disease”. The human form is Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease/CJD; see below.
Cell culture	Cells cultured in an artificial environment in vitro. The cells are maintained by using various kinds of culture media. In cell cultures, the cells may no longer be organised into tissues.
Cell culture media	A term used to denote liquid required for the maintenance or culture of cells in vitro including the culture of single cells.
Cell bank	The facility in which cell lines are stored prior to being put to use – most often in the form of freezers, based on liquid nitrogen.
Cell line	A cell line arises from a primary culture (a culture started from cells, tissues or organs taken from organisms) at the time of the first successful subculture. The term cell line implies that cultures from it consist of lineages of cells originally present in the primary cultures.
Chemically defined	Each component is specifiable and of a known chemical structure.
CHO	Chinese Hamster Ovary cells – a cell line often used within bio manufacturing.
Clinical cell culture	Cells cultured for therapeutic or diagnostic purpose.
Clinical trials	Experiments in the development of a new therapy involving tests in humans to establish safety and efficacy.
Clone	1) genetically identical organisms all descended from the same single parent by asexual processes 2)  genetically identical cells produced by mitotoc divisions from one original cell 3) DNA molecules derived from one original length of DNA sequences and produced by a bacterium or virus using genetic engineering techniques
Conjugate	A chemical coupling of a signal molecule to e.g. an antibody. Often used in immunoassays.
Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease/CJD	A prion-related illness that causes brain disorders and hence rapid dementia and neuromuscular disturbances. There is growing evidence that some forms of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease are caused by BSE (see above)
Cycle	One single procedure involving a couple undertaking one attempt at IVF, leading to either cancellation, no success, or to establishment of a pregnancy. Relates to the female menstrual cycle. Women have 13 cycles per year.
Cytokine	A blood-borne substance permitting communication between cells – most often a protein.
Dextran	A long chain of polyhexoses with smaller sugar side chains. Some bacteria, when cultivated in saccharose, produce dextran.
Diagnostic	A tool to identify/diagnose human or animal diseases or conditions.
DNA	Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid. The genetic information of cells and some viruses.
Embryo	The early stages of foetal growth in humans, from conception to the eighth week of pregnancy. In IVF, the term "embryo" or "cleavage-stage embryo" often describes the very early stage from conception to the 8-cell embryo.
Endocrine system	The glands and other organs that produce chemicals, serving as signal molecules within the body.
Estradiol	A naturally occurring steroid hormone, the concentration of which  fluctuates during the female menstrual cycle. It prepares the uterus for implantation. Given to the patients during the last stage of IVM.
FDA	“Food and Drug Administration”, the regulatory authority that controls drug development, approvals and marketing in the USA.
Gamete	A collective term for the human reproductive cells, the oocyte and the spermatozoa.
Gene	DNA sequences that encode a protein.
Genetically engineered	Cells that have had  their DNA purposely modified in order to change the output of their protein synthesis.
GMP	Good Manufacturing Practice. Procedure for manufacturing pharmaceuticals ensuring their high quality and consistency.
HSA	Human Serum Albumin – the major blood-borne protein providing vital functions to the whole organism.
HIV	“Human Immunodeficiency Virus”, a retrovirus that causes AIDS in humans.
Hormone	Chemical produced by the endocrine system that circulates in the blood and has widespread action throughout the body.
ICSI	Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection. IVF performed with one  sperm being injected into the oocyte.
Indication	A particular disease status or diagnosis for which a given pharmaceutical product has been specifically approved for use.
In vitro	Procedure within a test tube/artificial environment.
In vivo	Procedure within a living body.
IVF	In Vitro Fertilisation is the total procedure through which male and female gametes are brought into contact outside the body in order to accomplish fertilisation.
IVM	In Vitro Maturation of the oocytes outside the woman.
IVF media	Cell culture media and reagents used in IVF treatments.
MAb	See monoclonal antibodies.
Media	Plural of medium.
Medium	See cell culture media.
Monoclonal antibodies (MAb)	Antibodies that are produced from a single cellular clone and therefore are identical. Monoclonal antibodies are able to recognise and bind to a given specific substance and either destroy or make registration for later use of these.
OEM	Manufacture of a system to be sold under the brand of another company.
Ovaries	Sexual organs of the female that produce the hormones oestrogen and progesterone and in which the oocytes are developed. There are two ovaries, one on each side of the pelvis.
Oocyte (Egg)	The female reproductive cell, which is produced in the ovaries in each non-pregnant cycle.
Osmolality	Measure of the concentration of salts in and outside the cell.
Peptide	Molecules built of amino acids (small protein).
Phase 1 clinical trial	The purpose of this phase is to evaluate the toxicity of the product and estimate how the tested product is tolerated and decomposed in the human body. The phase involves tolerance, absorption, metabolism and excretion studies in a small group of healthy individuals.
Phase 2 clinical trial	A limited number of patients are tested in this phase, which allows for determination of dose levels in relation to effect and tolerance. The most effective route of administration is furthermore established. Trials are conducted on a small sample of carefully monitored patients.
Phase 3 clinical trial	This phase involves the largest sample of patients, but the actual sample size depends to a great extent on the clinical indications that the drug addresses. Double-blind treatments, if such are available. Production is up-scaled, and further evaluation of the durability and stability of the product takes place.
Progesterone	A naturally occurring steroid hormone circulating in the organism, which amongst other functions prepares the uterine lining for the implantation of the embryo at the blastocyst stage. Given to female patients during the last stages of IVF.
Reagent	Substance which participates in biological and chemical processes.
Recombinant	Genetic information that has been constructed or modified. This can be a natural process or can be performed in the laboratory as a result of genetically engineering.
Sera	Plural of serum. Serum contains a fraction of whole blood derived from animal or human origin. 1-10% of the media traditionally consist of serum.
SSR™	Synthetic Serum Replacement. When present, these defined media components can replace serum in cell culture media. All components in the SSR™ are of non-animal origin, which eliminates the risk of transferring infectious agents to human beings. Serum is an undefined complex product of human or animal origin and may contain infectious agents.
Therapeutic	Products that aim to improve or cure  human and animal diseases.
Transgenic animals	Animals who by gene manipulation are expressing a protein, antibody, enzyme etc. from another species.
Transgenic plants	As transgenic animals, but where the “host” is a plant.
Uterus	Hollow muscular organ in the woman that holds and nourishes the foetus until the time of birth.