Presents an overview of articles on biotechnology published in the December 1998 issue of the journal 'Nature Biotechnology.' Use of gene targeting approach chimeroplasty to induce mismatch repair enzymes to revert mutant sequences to wild type; Utility of mass spectrometry for DNA analysis; Comparison of physical properties of a monoclonal antibody against herpes simplex virus 2 derived from either soyabean or mammalian cells.