Radiation Sterilization
Sterilization using gamma radiation emitted from radioactive materials such
as cobalt-60, or cesium 137. If proper dosage of nuclear radiation can be
documented, sterility testing is not required.
Radio-Immunoassay (RIA)
A highly sensitive method of detecting and measuring the concentration of
biological compounds in vivo.
Radioactive Material
A material or combination of materials that spontaneously emits ionizing
radiation.
Raw Material
A general term used to denote starting materials, reagents, intermediates,
process aids, and solvents intended for use in the production of
intermediates or APIs (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients).
rDNA (Recombinant DNA)
The hybrid DNA produced by joining pieces of DNA from different sources.
Reagent
A substance used (as in detecting or measuring a component, in preparing a
product, or in developing photographs) because of its chemical or biological
activity.
Reagent Grade Water
Water suitable for use in making up reagents or for use in sensitive
analytical procedures. There are several grades of reagent grade water as
defined by various professional organizations, such as ASTM, CAP, NCCLS, and
ACS:
- 1. Type I: Used for procedures requiring maximum accuracy and
precision, such as atomic spectrometry, flame photometry, enzymology,
blood gas, pH and specific ion determinations; reference buffer
solutions; and reconstitution of lyophilized materials used as
standards. ASTM to produce Type I water specifies distillation
pretreatment of feedwater.
- 2. Type II: Recommended for most analytical or general laboratory
testing such as hematological, seralogical, and microbiological
procedures as well as chemical methods not specifically stated or proven
to require Type I quality. ASTM specifies preparation of Type II by
distillation and recommends it whenever freedom from organic impurities
is important.
- 3. Type III: Satisfactory for some general laboratory tests; for most
qualitative analyses such as urinalysis, parasitology, and histological
procedures; for rinsing of analytical samples; preparation of stock
solutions; and for washing or rinsing of glassware (final glassware
rinsing should be performed with the water type specified for the
procedure performed). Distillation, mixed-bed deionization, and reverse
osmosis (with high quality feedwater) can be used to generate Type III.
- Recalcification
A technique producing serum from anticoagulated plasma. Citrate and
oxalate act as anticoagulants because they are Ca++ (Calcium Ion)
chelating agents; Ca++ as calcium chloride is added in excess (1/40
Molar). Ca++ is a coagulation co-factor (catalyst) and promotes clot
formation.
Recessive Allele
A gene that is expressed only when its counterpart allele on the matching
chromosome is also recessive (not dominant). Autosomal recessive disorders
develop in persons who receive two copies of the mutant gene, one from
each parent who is a carrier.
Recirculation
Continuous recirculation may be necessary to maintain uniformly high
purity in larger water systems. Water is continuously recirculated and
reprocessed to prevent stagnation and to rinse out residual impurities in
the system. Bacteria flourish in stagnant water, especially if temperature
is conducive to growth.
Recombinant
Pertaining to the recombining of generic material from one species into
alternate sequences. Plasmids may then be used to incorporate the genetic
material into other organisms such as E. coli bacteria.
Recombinant Clone
Clone containing recombinant DNA molecules.
Recombinant DNA Molecules
In the context of the NIH Guidelines, recombinant DNA molecules are those
constructed outside living cells by joining natural or synthetic DNA
segments to DNA molecules that can replicate in a living cell, or
molecules that result from the replication of those described above.
Recombinant DNA (rDNA)
The hybrid DNA produced by joining pieces of DNA from different sources.
Recombinant DNA Techniques
Procedures that transfer genetic material between organisms or species.
Recombinant DNA Technology
Procedure used to join together DNA segments in a cell-free system (an
environment outside a cell or organism). Under appropriate conditions, a
recombinant DNA molecule can enter a cell and replicate there, either
autonomously or after it has become integrated into a cellular chromosome.
Recombination
The process by which progeny derive a combination of genes different from
that of either parent. In higher organisms, this can occur by crossing
over.
Recovery
Any treatment of materials by a process intended to make them suitable
for further use.
Recovery Time
The time after an upset in a room's HVAC environmental parameters for the
room to return to "normal" conditions, such as a return to
acceptable humidity levels after a room wash down. This occurs within a
certain number of air changes after the upset source is removed, minimally
six to ten, depending on the severity of the upset, the quality of the air
supply, and the degree of mixing of room air.
Reference Standard, Primary
A substance that has been shown by an extensive set of analytical tests,
to be authentic material of high purity. This standard may be obtained
from a recognized source or may be prepared by independent synthesis or by
further purification of existing production material.
- Reference Standard, Secondary A substance of established quality and
purity, as shown by comparison to a primary reference standard, used as
a reference standard for routine laboratory analysis.
- Referential Integrity
Relationship between records that ensures data integrity by maintaining
unbreakable links between related electronic records. It ensures
confidence that a specific record (such as a calculated chromatographic
result) is unmodified, unmanipulated, and otherwise uncorrupted after its
creation and that still carries the references to the other electronic
records that were used to generate it.
Refrigerants
Fluids used for heat transfer in a refrigerating system; the refrigerant
absorbs heat and transfers it at a higher temperature and higher pressure,
usually with a change of state. Refrigerants can be: 1. Primary
refrigerants. Liquids with low boiling points that change from a liquid to
a gas after absorbing heat. 2. Secondary refrigerants. Substances that act
only as heat carriers, such as brine, air, and water.
Regenerate
Restore ion exchange of resins by reversing the process. An acid rinse is
used to restore cation resin capacity and a sodium hydroxide rinse is used
to restore anion resin capacity.
Regulatory Affairs
Drug companies must show that their products consistently meet standards
set by government agencies. Regulatory affairs departments document those
activities, submit proposals, and follow those proposals through
completion or approval.
Regulatory Region or Sequence
A DNA base sequence that controls gene expression.
Reject Stream
In reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration, those impurities not able to
permeate the membrane are said to be rejected (removed). They are flushed
away in the reject (waste) stream.
Relational Database Management System (RDBMS)
A type of database system that stores data in related tables. A
relational database is powerful because it does not assume how data are
related or how they will be extracted from the database. As a result, the
same database can be viewed in many different ways.
Relative Humidity (% RH)
The ratio (measured in percent) of actual water vapor pressure in air to
the pressure of saturated water vapor in air at the same temperature and
pressure.
Release
The discharge of a microbiological agent or eukaryotic cell from a
containment system.
Renaturation
The restoration of biological activity to a denatured protein or nucleic
acid. The strands of a DNA duplex, for example, are denatured at high
temperatures but can be correctly reformed by a slow cooling.
Representative Sample
A sample that consists of a number of units that are drawn based on
rational criteria such as random sampling and intended to assure that the
sample accurately portraits the material being sampled.
Reproductive Toxicology
Studies of whether exposure affects male or female fertility.
Reprocessing
A system of reworking batches that do not conform to standards or
specifications, including "the steps taken to ensure that the
reprocessed batches will conform to all established standards,
specifications, and characteristics".
Reprocessing (ICH API definition)
Introducing an intermediate or API, including that which does not conform
to standards or specifications, back into the process and repeating a
crystallization step or other appropriate chemical or physical
manipulation steps (e.g., distillation, filtration, chromatography,
milling, etc.) that are part of the established manufacturing process.
Continuation of a chemical reaction after an in-process control test shows
the reaction to be incomplete is considered to be part of the normal
process, and not reprocessing.
Resin
Ion exchange resins are usually bead-like spherical materials with an
affinity for particular ions. Cation exchange resins made of styrene and
divinylbenzene containing sulfonic acid groups will exchange hydrogen ions
for any cations they encounter. Similarly, anion exchange resins made of
styrene and divinylbenzene containing quaternary ammonium groups will
exchange a hydroxyl ion for any anions.