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Library – Archives – Humanities  / Education / Center for Humanities & History of Modern Biology / Exhibits, Projects and Initiatives / Plant Science, Biotechnology, & Agriculture

The Early Days of Biotech on Long Island

What convinces venture capitalists to invest in a biotech company? Having an association with a respected scientist can make a big difference. Jim Hayward of Applied DNA Systems recalls that with his first biotech venture, Biocompatibles, in the early 1980s, the presence of biospectroscopist Dennis Chapman made a significant difference. “In starting Biocompatibles, there was a reverence for Dennis Chapman. The central issue was not me and my contributions to the science, even though I was the spokesperson, but it was the connection to Dennis Chapman, a revered, respected scientist. That’s really what raised the money.”

Jim Hayward / Applied DNA Systems

Plants need nitrogen to grow, but a significant portion of the nitrogen in fertilizers is not absorbed by the soil or used by the growing plants. Rather, it washes away into waterways, rivers, and the ocean. This in turn has had devastating effects on marine life. In some areas, excessive nitrogen in the oceans has caused algae blooms that kill wildlife, make it dangerous for people to consume fish or shellfish or in some cases even swim in affected waters. This problem isn’t limited to poorer countries. Nitrogen pollution is a serious problem here on Long Island. In our case, the nitrogen comes primarily from septic tanks and cesspools, although nitrogen from agricultural fertilizers also plays a role. Nitrogen pollution in the waters around Long Island has hampered fishing, made it dangerous to eat seafood from some areas, and caused environmental changes that make coastal areas more prone to flooding.