Competence developed from detailed knowledge in the biosciences is one of the hottest new fields on college campuses and at the corporate level. The focus of this relatively new subject is biology and how principles like regulation, replication and communication can be used to develop modern materials. But make no mistake about it, the field is based entirely on scientific principles and it takes no shortcuts.

What is the promise of modern bioscience? At present, early experiments focus almost exclusively on health, biomedical and biotechnological applications. There is also an almost monomaniacal focus on the environment.

But to say that applied bioscience is in its infancy would be an understatement. It is a nascent field. And while it is clear that it may eventually yield some important real world benefits, that may be years, even decades away. However, that has not stopped huge corporations from creating their very own applied bioscience departments.

What are they used for? As we mentioned, most of the early experiments focus on topical issues, such as renewable sources of energy. One of the most common projects centres on using common crops like soybeans or corn to develop renewable fuel.

Developing a superior form of ethanol has been a pet project for many of the world's richest corporations for several years now. Why do corporations care about the environment? In all honestly, we do not know that they do. But they do seem to recognise that the world is slowly moving away from petroleum-based products. And because they are businesses and their raison d'être to make a profit for shareholders, they know that whoever gets there first will make an obscene amount of money.