"Sangamo BioSciences (NASDAQ: SGMO) has again received significant scientific validation for its proprietary technology," says biotech expert John McCamant.

In The Medical Technology Stock Letter, he explains, ""Part of what has gotten investors so excited about stem cells was the concept that some day scientists would be able to create 'personalized' stem cell types for individual therapy. We believe that this is the break that was needed to realize the potential of stem cell therapy."

"Stem cells differ from other cell types in two fundamental ways. First, they are unspecialized cells capable of renewing themselves through cell division.

"Second, under certain conditions, they can be induced to become tissue- or organ-specific cells with special functions.

"Some sectors tend to do better than others in tough times; biotechnology often surprises investors in good times and bad," suggests Brandon Clay.

In his Invest with an Edge advisory service, the growth stock advisor looks to Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG), a player in developing cancer treatments. Here's his review.

"This sometimes-perilous market niche can make or break a portfolio depending on several factors: drug pipeline, continued investment, market factors, and government approvals.

"However, despite the risks, there are times when we believe that individual biotech stocks make sense -- such as our latest recommendation for Celgene.

"I'm always looking for market leadership; right now, biotechnology stocks are moving up faster than most anything else," says Ron Rowland. In Money & Markets, he eyes biotech ETFs.

"Biotechnology is a fascinating sector, one that's made (and lost) a lot of money for millions of investors in recent decades. That's why, in my opinion, you should become familiar with this industry.

"Broadly speaking, it's the application of technology to biological materials - plants, animals and people.

"Nowadays a lot of biotechnology involves manipulating genetic material: The DNA that forms the basis for life. The goal is to produce new and useful substances that make life better and, of course, turn a profit along the way.

"How does one go about investing in the antibody space?" asks biotech specialist John McCamant. In The Medical Technology Stock Letter, he eyes Immunogen (NASDAQ: IMGN), and offers an in-depth report for biotech-savvy readers.

"As background, T-DM1 is a second generation Herceptin that may even exceed the original in sales because the armed antibody has been more potent to date by showing effectiveness in mBC patients who have failed either Herceptin or Tykerb.

"The company will continue to benefit from Genetech's extensive antibody experience as they continue to run all development for Immunogen's T-DM1.

Last year, as the market sank, one group actually went up -- large-cap, cashflow positive biotech and genomics companies.

This year, interest has shifted to the little guys -- the speculative biotech stocks that could be 10- or 20-baggers with one breakthrough.

Here are six biotech stocks with the potential to deliver life-changing profits:

Biotech Stock #1: Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD)
Biotech Stock #2: Questcor Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: QCOR)

Biotech Stock #3: Cepheid (NASDAQ: CPHD)
Biotech Stock #4: Curis (NASDAQ: CRIS)
Biotech Stock #5: Cerus Corp. (NASDAQ: CERS)
Biotech Stock #6: Illumina (NASDAQ: ILMN)

"Health care reform could mean opportunities for astute investors," says Brandon Clay in his Invest With an Edge.

Here, eyes two biotech ETFs that "should be on everyone's watch list." The advisor notes, "With health care on the front burner in Washington, these biotechnology ETFs may finally be ready to pop."

"Investors in health care should think outside the realm of traditional pharmaceutical companies and health insurers. Those sectors are each facing headwinds that make stock picking difficult.

"In addition, several big pharma companiesare desperate to reload their empty pipelines in the face of increased competition from generic drug makers.

"Genomics may be the 'next big thing' after the Internet and biotech. Finding those who can make money early onwill likely pay dividends to investors," expla]in small cap growth stock specialist Jim Oberweis, Jr.

In his The Oberweis Report, he explains the "politics" behind this bullish scenario as well as his top pick for log-term investors seeking exposure to the developing healthcare technologies if genomics and personalized medicine.

"We believe that the biotech boom was a direct consequence of rising National Health Institute (NIH) funding, cheap equity capital, and the ability to patent NIH-funded discoveries. And we see that happening again.

When a $7 a share biotechnology company like Dendreon Corp. (NASDAQ: DNDN) rockets 200% to over $20 a share in one day, like it did yesterday after reporting successful Phase 3 trials of its prostate cancer drug, investors get interested in any biotech stock under $10.

But before investing in these speculative companies, you should have a clear understanding of how this niche operates. Marketing plays an important role in order for the companies to raise capital, therefore if you are interested in betting on a company's future, you should consider the risk factors and odds of success.

"After warning that it would only achieve the low end of its previous guidance range for 2009, Celgene (NASDAQ: CELG) sold off significantly," notes biotech expert John McCamant.

Nevertheless, in his The Medical Technology Stock Letter he sees the selloff as any opportunity, calling the company a "great growth story."

"Celgene pre-announced 1Q 09 revenues of $600 million, which was significantly below Wall Street consensus estimates of $640-$650 million.

"The earnings miss was completely unexpected, and has partially shaken the belief that the Big Bios would be able to deliver solid earnings despite the economic problems.Nevertheless, we remain positive on the CELG story.

"In all the excitement over the new future for embryonic stem cell, it seems investors have forgotten about adult stem cell products," notes growth stock specialist Dave Dyer.

In his Dave Dyer's Newsletter, he explains, "In fact, there are adult stem cell products either already on the market or in late clinical trials. We view this as an excellent opportunity." Here, he looks at NuVasive (NASDAQ: NUVA).

"Stem cells can grow into any type of organ or tissue and the promise is that damaged organs may be repaired or even replaced with spare parts grown from stem cells. This amazing potential could revolutionize the life sciences.

"NuVasive is a rapidly growing company with unique technology for minimally-invasive back surgery; named Osteocel, it is a stem cell-based product used to help with bone grafts done as a part of spinal surgery.

"Illumina (NASDAQ: ILMN) makes the Genome Analyzer, which is the workhorse of the genetic medicine revolution," says growth expert Mike Cintolo in The Cabot Top Ten Report.

"The Illumina Genome Analyzer is used by genomic research centers, academic institutions, agriculture and livestock companies, pharmaceutical companies, clinical research organizations and biotechnology companies all over the world.

"In the fourth quarter of 2008, for example, the company launched the In? nium HD HumanCytoSNP-12 BeadChip, a 12 sample BeadChip priced as low as $125 per sample that enables researchers to analyze nearly 300,000 genetic markers per sample.

Despite the challenging economic environment, two leading advisors see opportunity in a biotech stock involved in developing drugs for cancer, multiple sclerosis and diabetes -- Isis Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ISIS).

Here, we look at commentary from growth stock expert Toby Smith, editor of ChangeWave Investing, and biotech specialist John McCamant, editor of The Medical Technology Stock Letter.

Toby Smith explains, "For the latest quarter, revenue climbed 38% to $29.7 million. Revenue from research and development collaborations more than doubled to $29.1 million from $13 million, but licensing and royalty revenue dropped to $546,000 from $8.5 million.

In The Oberweis Report, growth expert Jim Oberweis. Jr. sees upside for risk-oriented investors in two diagnostics firms: Myriad Genetics (NASDAQ: MYGN) and Thoratec (NASDAQ: THOR).

"Myriad develops molecular diagnostic products focused in the area of predictive caner diagnostics. It currently sells five genetic tests (and just recently announced the launch of a 6th test in December) focused on cancer and women's health.

"The bulk of their revenues currently come from their BRACAnalysis test for breast cancer. This test is the only one of its kind available to detect a faulty version of BRAC genes in women, which has been linked to significantly increased chances of developing breast and ovarian cancers.

News events of the day are providing a dramatic illustration that not all biotech companies are the same.

Just as President Obama lifted the executive order banning the use of embryonic stem cells for research, Roche and Genentech (NYSE: DNA) appear to have reached an agreement on Roche's bid to acquire the 44% of DNA that Roche does not currently own.

Shares of biotech companies engaged in stem cell protocols rallied after the Obama announcement. While most of these companies are small in size with stock prices below $2 per share, the announcement gave impetus to price increases of 17% to 100%.

As an investor, I hate crowds. If a stock or sector that I like attracts a crowd, I know it is time to leave. As they say, the sheep are usually the buyers at the top.

Now, we need sheep to help drive prices of our holdings higher, but at some point it is time to jettison. Nothing goes up forever, and the best signal I have found over the years is to sell when the sheep are buying.

This year the sheep are being told to buy the biotechnology sector.

That advice may be a bit late in coming. 2008 was a disastrous year, but biotechnology did very well. It is that performance that is now attracting the sheep.