Genome
The entire genetic complement of a single organism.
Genomics
The study of genes, and how they affect the structure, growth, health, and diseases of an organism. The Secreted Factor Program, in which expressed genes are sequenced, is the primary focus of Amgen's Genomics program.
Glycosylation
The process by which ogliosaccharide units are added to proteins in order to form different chemical bonds. The production of Aranesp® involves glycosylation.
Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)
A protein that stimulates the production of scavenging cells in the immune system. NEUPOGEN® is a G-CSF.
Guanine
One of the four bases found in DNA. It pairs with cytosine.
Hematocrit
A proportion of red blood cells in a sample of blood. The hematocrit is a percentage based on volume: a hematocrit of 32% means that there are 32 milliliters of red blood cells in 100 milliliters of blood.
Hematopoiesis
The development of blood. Hematopoetic growth factors are a primary research focus at Amgen.
Hematopoietic growth factors
Protein hormones produced by the body to regulate blood development, affecting the production and maturation of blood-forming cells. The genes for these factors are used in the production of EPOGEN® and NEUPOGEN®.
High Throughput Screening (HTS)
The process of screening a sample of compounds rapidly and in parallel, then analyzing the results and choosing further screening compounds based on this information.
Hormones
Substances produced by one tissue and conveyed to another through the bloodstream, usually affecting growth or metabolism.
Hyperparathyroidism
A condition resulting from oversecretion of parathyroid hormone. Amgen's interests lie primarily in the secondary form of the disease, which affects the vast majority of kidney dialysis patients.
Hypertension
A disease of the arteries resulting in chronic high blood pressure.
Hypothalamus
The regulator of hormones, located near the base of the brain. The hypothalamus monitors neurochemical signals and converts them into hormonal reactions. It also regulates the body's biological processes.
Interferon
A small protein possessing potent antiviral effects. The process of pegylation requires an interferon as a receptor.
Interleukin-1 (IL-1)
A protein produced in excess by renal anemia patients during the immune system's response to infection. Kineret® is the first direct and selective blocker of IL-1.
In-vitro
The technique of performing an experiment outside of a living organism, in a controlled environment such as a test tube.
In-vivo
A term used to describe experiments conducted within a living organism. An example is the injection of a substance into a rat to determine the substance's effect on the animal.