One of the best ways for biotechnology professionals to stay informed of industry news is to subscribe to biotechnology magazines. There are many publications, trade journals and newsletters available that cover current trends in biotechnology; but rather than inundate yourself by subscribing to them all, you may want to pick and choose the ones that best meet your business's needs.

There is a huge selection of industry publications to choose from. Where some are very limited and cover specific topics, others give an overview of the whole industry and offer a variety of resources. The trick is to get the most information out of the fewest resources, thus saving you money and keeping you well informed without consuming all your valuable time. When choosing a biotechnology trade publication, remember the following:

1. Some publications offer free trial subscriptions you can take advantage of.

2. When subscribing for publications, find out what period your payment covers. Make sure you receive any back issues within the time period you pay for. Some publications may just begin subscription with the current issue.

3. Order your biotech publication directly through the website, rather than a general subscription site, or you may miss out on subscription perks.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Subscribe to biotech publications and take advantage of the perks

Many publishers offer discounted pricing with subscriptions, in addition to other perks. Check to see if they offer free trial subscriptions or copies. You may even be able to cancel your subscription without payment or penalty if you are not absolutely satisfied.

I recommend: The Biotechnology Institute puts out a free biotechnology publication called Biotechnology & You. Nature Biotechnology is available for free to qualified industry professionals.

Take advantage of online biotech magazines

E-mags and web publications have evolved for the better, and there are many reasons why you should take advantage. Not only are they readily available, the medium also allows publishers to compliment articles with multimedia resources. You may have to sign up as a member, but that can be an added bonus. It get you access to free sample copies, or access to journal archives.

I recommend: BioTechniques is a very extensive online site that provides advance publications ahead of its printed copy. You can even sign up for sneak peek email alerts. Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News offers an e-newsletter and updated news alerts every 20 minutes, in addition to a wide range of other online resources and printed materials.

Join a professional association for free access to biotechnology trade publications

If you work in the biotech industry, you may consider becoming a member of an association for biotechnology professionals. As a member, you'll receive access to free publications, as well as other informational resources. If you sign up as a business, you can extend these services to your employees as well.

I recommend: The Biotechnology Industry Organization and the New York Biotechnology Association are both industry associations that offer online publications.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check with your local library for biotech industry publications, as many subscribe to online databases that include journals and other biotechnology publications.