What is Biotechnology?• Biotechnology is the study and manipulation of

living things or their component molecules, cells, tissues, or organs for the benefit of humans (or other animals). – This term has been used since the 1970’s to reflect

the application of exciting new technologies to the research and development of products from plant and animal cells.

Biotech Bio ByteBiotech Bio Byte

Biotech Includes (but is not limited to)

• Recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)• Cloning• Fermentation• The creation of

– Insulin to treat diabetes– Proteases (enzymes used to remove stains from

clothing)– Antibodies (for recognizing and fighting certain

diseases– Selective Breeding (dog breeds, flowers, fruits)– Pharmaceutical drugs– Cellular manipulation products (growing human

ears on mice)

Examples of Early Biotech• Historical accounts have shown that the Chinese, Greeks, Romans,

Babylonians, and Egyptians (among many others) have been involved in Biotech since 2000 BC!

• Early ancestors took advantage of microorganisms and used fermentation to make breads, cheeses, yogurts, and alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine.

Fermentation Fermentation is when strains of yeast

decompose sugars to derive energy, and in the process they produce ethanol (alcohol) and carbon dioxide as a waste product. – When bread dough is being made, added yeast

(saccharamyces cerevisiae) ferments sugar releasing carbon dioxide, which causes the dough to rise and creates holes in the bread. The alcohol produced by the yeast evaporates when the bread is cooked.

– When making cheese, added bacteria undergo fermentation by breaking down Lactose (milk sugar) and converting it to Lactic Acid which causes the milk to curdle and form cheese!

Antibiotics• In 1928 Alexander Fleming discovered that

mold Penicillium inhibited the growth of Stapholococcus aureus. His discovery came from a pile of “contaminated” Petri dishes.

Viral VaccinesEdward Jenner was an English country doctor

who pioneered vaccination. Jenner's discovery in 1796 that inoculation with cowpox gave immunity to smallpox, was an immense medical breakthrough and has saved countless lives.

More Current Examples of Biotechnology• In 1972 the DNA composition of humans is

shown to be 99% similar to that of chimps and gorillas

• In 1981 the first genetically-engineered plant is reported and the 1st mouse was successfully cloned

• In 1982 Humulin (a human insulin drug), was produced by genetically-engineered bacteria and was the first biotech drug approved by the FDA

• In 1994 the first breast cancer gene is discovered • In 1996 scientists clone identical lambs from early

embryonic sheep• In 1998 embryonic stem cells are used to

regenerate tissue and create disorders that mimic diseases

The Human Genome Project• The Human Genome Project (HGP) was an

international, 13 year effort that began in 1999 and was completed in 2003. The project goals were to • Determine the complete sequence of the 3 billion DNA

subunits (bases)• Identify all human genes, and make them accessible for

further biological study.– As part of the HGP, parallel sequencing was done for

selected model organisms such as the bacterium E.coli to help develop the technology and interpret human gene function.

Domains of Biotechnology

The domain areas in Biotechnology can besimplified into eight different concentrations

1. Microbial2. Agricultural3. Animal4. Forensic 5. Bioremediation6. Aquatic7. Medical8. Regulatory

• Microbial Biotechnology: The manipulation of microorganisms such as yeast and bacteria. Example: Fermentation

• Agricultural Biotechnology: The genetic engineering of plants in hopes of– Giving the plant pest resistance– Producing foods with a higher protein or vitamin

content– Developing drugs that can be grown and isolated in

plant products

• Animal Biotechnology: This branch includes– Using animals as a source of medically valuable

proteins• Antibodies

– Using animals as an important model in basic research

• Gene “knockout” experiments (where genes have been turned off)

• Designs and testing of drugs and genetic therapies

– Animal cloning • Source of transgenic organs (animal organs that can

be transplanted into humans without fear of rejection).

• Forensic Biotechnology– DNA fingerprinting

• Inclusion or exclusion of a person from suspicion• Paternity cases• Identification of human remains• Endangered species• Tracking and confirmation of the spread of disease

• Bioremediation – The use of biotechnology to process and degrade a variety of natural and

manmade substances• Particularly those that contribute to pollution

– For example, bacteria that degrade components in crude oil

• 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska• Gulf Oil Spill

• Aquatic Biotechnology – Aquaculture – raising finfish or shellfish in controlled conditions for use as

food sources• 30% of all fish consumed by humans worldwide

– Genetic engineering• Disease-resistant strains of oysters

– Vaccines against viruses that infect salmon and other finfish

– Rich and valuable sources of new genes, proteins and metabolic processes with important applications for human benefits

• Marine plankton and snails found to be rich sources of anti-tumor and anticancer molecules

• Medical Biotechnology• Involved with the whole spectrum of human medicine

• Preventive medicine• Diagnosis of health and illness• Treatment of human diseases

• New information from Human Genome Project

• Gene therapy• Stem cell technologies

• Regulatory Biotechnology– Quality Assurance (QA)

• All activities involved in regulating the final quality of a product

– Quality Control (QC)

• Part of QA process that involves lab testing and monitoring of processes and applications to ensure consistent product standards