Welcome to the World of Biotechnology

What is Biotechnology?
Lets break it down: Biology- use of biological/living/alive agents/their parts Technology - the application of science to achieve industrial or commercial objectives (products: cheese, wine, curd; & process: fermentation). Collection of tech. Coined the term- Karl Kreky (1970) Controlled use of biological agents or their cellular components for beneficial uses.

A Definition That is a Little More Fun

Origins of Biotechnology
Although it seems like a new thing,

biotechnology has actually been around a while

Domesticated plants and animals are the

result of selective breeding (have you ever seen a wild corn plant, not something youd want to eat) Using yeast to make bread rise Using bacteria or yeast to ferment grapes into wine

So Why Should I Care?

Biotechnology aspects all aspects of your

everyday life, including: agriculture and food safety, healthcare, law enforcement and environmental issues Although there are many great career paths involving biotechnology that you may consider, possibly even more importantly, you will soon be voters
Youll make decisions on the ethics involving

legalizing certain types of research You might be on a jury where biotechnology plays a key part in the evidence presented

The Biotechnology Toolbox

Today, biotechnology is used in three

main ways:
Directly using cells Placing yeast into a bioreactor to ferment grapes Using the proteins/enzymes made by cells Isolating antibiotics from bacteria for use in human medicine Using the genetic material inside of cell DNA fingerprinting

Just Some of the Latest Advances in the World of Biotechnology

Cloning-genetically identical
DNA fingerprinting Genetically modified bacteria to

synthesize products Genetically modified foods

Why Clone?
To create identical cells for research

purposes To maintain a genetically desirable species of plant or animal To create a missing organ or tissue for treatment of human diseases To save endangered or extinct species

Some Products of Cloning

DNA Fingerprinting
Identifying the pattern of certain sequences in parts

of a persons DNA to determine if two samples come from the same person, related persons or two, non-related individuals Only parts of the DNA sequence are used because the whole genome is too long to sequence repeatedly Everyone has a unique sequence of DNA (even identical twins, although their genomes would be very close to identical)

What Does a DNA Fingerprint Look Like?

What can DNA Fingerprints be used for?

Paternity/maternity tests To determine if a suspect was at a crime

scene To identify a murder victim To identify a soldier killed in the line of duty To determine identity

Genetically-Modified Bacteria
Inserting new genes into a bacteria to

trick it into making a product for us Although each bacteria usually doesnt make much product, millions of bacteria can be grown in bioreactors at the same time, and the product harvested from all of them at once

Some Products Now Synthesized by Bacteria

Biodiesel fuel
Chemicals to block an HIV infection Photographs Human insulin for diabetics Plastics

Genetically-Modified Foods
Livestock or produce that has received

new genes to make the product healthier, resistant to pest or more nutritious The process is similar to that used to create genetically-modified bacteria, but the genes are being inserted into multicelled organism instead

Some Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)

Why make GMOs?

To give plants resistance to certain pests

without the use of pesticides To make plants drought resistant To make cows that produce more milk To make vegetables that can undergo long transport without over-ripening To make chickens that contain extra vitamins that may be missing from our diets

The Ethics of Biotechnology

Despite all the exciting things that

biotechnology can do or will do in the near future, there are things to consider:
Would it be ethical to clone a human? Why or why

not? Should your insurance company be allowed to have access to your DNA profile if it detected some disease? How can the bacteria in bioreactors be disposed of once they are no longer useful? What happens to the natural balance when GMO are sent out to compete with natural plants in the environment?

Conclusion
We are at the cusp of an exciting time in the

world of biology
We are capable to manipulating living cells in ways

that would have been unimaginable even 20 years ago With this new technology comes many new jobs and benefits to mankind With this new technology comes the need to think through the ethical issues that arise and to wisely weigh the benefits against the drawbacks to make informed decisions as to what research should be encourage and what should not

HISTORY OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
OLD BIOTECHNOLOGY: Before discovery of DNA structure (1953); Watson &Crick Modern Biotechnology: recombinant DNA technology (rDNA)

 5000 BC- M.O. were used for making cheese,

Old biotech:

wine, vinegar, leavened bread (yeast), curd. Pasteurisation of milk-to prevent milk spoilage Large scale production of preservatives: glycerol- by bacteria: streptomyces Citric acid: by fungi: Aspergillus niger, Acetone, Butanol: by bacteria: Clostridium acetobutylicum Antibiotics: Penicillin (1930); A. Waksman: by fungi: Penecillium notatum

Yeast
Fermented products Fermentation: Process in which yeast

enzymes chemically change compounds into alcohol. Alcohol is converted into acetic acid (sour taste; vinegar) by MO. Bread Baking Vinegar-from Juices & extracts from fruits and grains

Antibiotics:
A substance, such as penicillin or streptomycin,

produced by or derived from certain fungi, bacteria, and other MO that can destroy or inhibit the growth of other . Antibiotics are widely used in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. Penicillin (1928): Alexander Fleming: first drug produced by MO.

Modern Biotech
Manipulation of genetic materials of

organisms by rDNA technology/genetic engineering Microscopy and advanced computer technology are used Based on genetics and the use of microscopy, biochemical methods, related sciences and technologies In-depth knowledge of science

Modern Biotech
Use of biotech to produce new life forms Recombinant DNA Process Genetic material is moved from one organism to

another Materials involved are quite small PCR: Kary Mullis (1985) Genome sequencing-Arabidopsis, tobacco etc. Challenging and often controversial Many have opposing or negative views of biotechnology

Modern Biotech
Human Insulin was produced in bacteria

(E. coli) on commercial scale (1983). Plant HYVs by transferring desirable gene from alien sources. Gene: a functional DNA sequence Gold rice: vitamin A precursor Bt cotton/brinjal/potato/corn: Insect pest resistant: by Monsanto+Mahyco But controversial: biosafety

Biotechnology: A science of many disciplines

Agricultural BT:

Tissue culture/Micropropagation: to increase rate of multiplication, disease-free plants. Cryopreservation: 196 C. Pollen/Anther/Embryo culture, Transgenic crops Biotic (bacteria, fungi, virus etc.)& Abiotic stress (salt, heavy metals, heat, water etc.) resistant plants, molecular pharming (plant as pharmaceutical products). Microbial BT: to increase mining efficiency, simplifying manufacturing and production processes, sewage treatment. Animal BT: In vitro fertilization, GM animals (for improved yield and quality products) eg. sheep, pigs, dog, chicken etc.

 Forensic BT: DNA fingerprinting, maternal/paternal,

criminal tests. Environmental BT: Bioremediation , degradation of petroleum and mgt of oil spills (Pseudomonas putida), detoxification of industrial wastes, biocontrol agents (GM bacteria, fungi, virus to control diseases and pest) Aquatic BT: aquaculture, disease-resistant strains of oysters and vaccines against viruses, transgenic salmon to overproduce growth hormone. Medical BT: drugs, gene knockout testing, recombinant proteins for human medical applications, human genome projects (to detect defective genes and disorders), gene therapy by stem cell culture, DNA probes-to diagnose diseases eg. cancer, hepatitis

 Industrial BT: large scale production of ethanol,

acetic acid, glycerol, antibiotics, enzymes, single cell proteins (SCP), biofuels, mineral extraction by MO. Regulatory BT: quality assurance and quality control lab testing, monitoring processes for consistent product standard.

Agriculture biotechnology

Agriculture biotechnology Its need: increase productivity, limited resources. Genetically modified crops: corn, soybean, cotton, rice, phytoremediation plants, abiotic and bioticstresses tolerant crops etc. Micopropagation-Forest tree, ornamental plants, horticulture plants. Enhanced nutrition (golden rice). Herbicide-resistant crops. Plant-produced vaccines & bioplastics. Disease-resistant crops High-performance and healthier cooking oil.

Transgenic Plants

Tissue culture

Recombinant DNA technology (Genetic engineering)

Plant Transformation methods: Vector-mediated (Agrobacterium tumefaciens) and biolistic-mediated.