Implementation of Biotechnology

Published On: 26th December, 2023

Authored By: Iram Aslam
Sharda University, Greater Noida

INTRODUCTION:

The concept of Biotechnology surrounds a wide range of methods for modifying living organisms for human purposes; For example, in improvements of breeding with the use of artificial selection and hybridization.

Biotechnology is used in research and development in the laboratory using bioinformatics for extraction, observation, exploitation, and production from any living organism utilizing biochemical engineering which adds high value to products.

The utilization of biological processes, organisms, or systems to produce products that are allowed to improve human lives is described as biotechnology.

Biotechnology is based on the basic biological sciences for example molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, embryology, genetics, and microbiology, and anticipates methods to carry and perform basic research in biology.

Early applications of biotechnology led to the innovations of products such as bred and vaccines. However, the teaching has evolved importantly over the last century in ways that utilize the genetic structures and biomolecular processes of living organisms. The modern practice of biotechnology has various teaching of science and technology, For example, molecular biology, chemistry, bionics, genetic engineering, genomics, nanotechnology, and informatics.

HISTORY

Biotechnology has been about for thousands of years, back when human beings began processing fermentation to produce wine, beer, and bread. Previously, biotechnology fundamentals were restricted to agriculture like breeding livestock and using the best seeds to make better yields and harvest quality. It has been substituted over the centuries.

The biotechnology field evolved rapidly and steadily with the discovery of microorganisms in the 19th century. “Gregor Mendel” is attributed to this growth thanks to his innovative study of genetics, microbial processes, and fermentation. In the 20th century, remarkable names in the field like ” Alexander Fleming” facilitated biotechnology by discovering penicillin. 

The large-scale production in the 1940s was a big step for biotechnology but the field florescence in the 1950s. This was all because of a better understanding of molecular biology and cell function. Since then, every decade has marked an improvement in biotechnology, including: 

  •  In the 1950s there is a Discovery of DNA’s 3D structure.
  •  In the 1960s Synthesis of insulin and the discovery of vaccines for rubella, mumps, and measles. 
  • In the 1980s innovation of the first biotech-acquire vaccines and drugs for cancer and hepatitis. 

MODERN BIOTECHNOLOGY

Modern applications of biotechnology work mostly with genetic engineering, which is also known as recombinant DNA technology. Genetic engineering works by improving or interacting with the genetic cell structures. Each cell in an animal or plant has genes that produce proteins. Those proteins that regulate the properties of the organism.

By improving or interacting with genes, scientists can nourish the properties of an organism or create an entirely new organism. These adapt and new organisms may be good for humans, such as crops with higher yield quality or increased resistance to drought. Genetic engineering also allows the genetic modification and cloning of animals, two contended developments.

The Father of Genetic Engineering is Paul Berg. He was the first who invented recombinant DNA technology.

Important dates in Biotechnology through Genetic Engineering:-

  • The first genetically invented animal was a mouse developed in 1973 by Rudolf Jaenisch.
  • In 1993, an antibiotic-resistant gene was inserted in a tobacco plant, Which is known as the first genetically modified plant(GMO).
  • In 1978, the technology was imposed with the production of insulin.
  • In 1994, the first genetically modified food Tomato was made.

Example:

  1. The glow fish is a genetically modified fluorescent fish. Which has been made by bioluminescence, which is found in fireflies or lightning bugs. An enzyme called luciferase is taken out from the fireflies and inserted in fish which makes them glow.
  2. Bt cotton is a genetically modified organism (GMO)cotton variety, that produces insecticide to bollworm.
  3. Genetically manipulated animals having an introduced gene are called transgenic animals. Transgenic mice, sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, poultry, and fish have been developed by using GE.

IMPLEMENTATIONS:

The science of biotechnology is broken down into sub-teachings that are commonly used and applied in our day-to-day lives.

ENVIRONMENT:

Environmental biotechnology aims to develop sustainable environmental practices that reduce pollution and waste. The following are exemplifications of environmental biotech

  • Phytoremediation uses genetically finagled microorganisms to purify soils of heavy essence and other adulterants.
  • Bioremediation introduces microorganisms into waste spots to organically break down non-recyclable waste.
  • Plastic-eating bacteria break down waste similar to plastic in soils and water.
  • GMO foods stay fresher for a longer period and reduce food wastage.
  • Inheritable remodeling attempts to reinstall and display species similar to the American groaner tree.
  • Cover crops similar to sludge are used as biofuels, replacing traditional energy sources that produce hothouse gas emigrations when uprooted and used.
  • Eliminate the dangerous wastes produced by other technologies.
  • Differentiate between similar species and certify species are not at risk of extinction.
  • Create alternative energy sources (e.g. Biofuels).
  • There are 6 major different types of applications of environmental biotechnology (biomarkers, biosensors, biofuels, bioremediation, biotransformation, molecular ecology).

MEDICINE:

Medical biotechnology, also known as biopharma, aims to fight and help complaints in the healthcare department. Biotechnology and biomedical exploration are the bases of the ultramodern medicinal industry. Uses include the following

  • Stem cell exploration that helps replace or repair dead or imperfect cells;
  • Antibiotics development;
  • Gene curatives for conditions similar to leukemia;
  • Exploration into dangerous pathogens and the antibodies that fight them;
  • 3D printing, scanning, or growing of organs and bones in labs;
  • mRNA vaccines, monoclonal antibody treatments, and exploration for COVID-19.
  • Manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and medications for the purpose of diagnosing and treating illnesses.
  • Designing organisms to manufacture antibiotics and vaccines.
  • Engineering of genetic inadequacy through genomic manipulation.
  • Use in forensics for DNA profiling.
  • New information on human genome project Gene therapy and Stem cell technologies.

INDUSTRY:

Industrial biotechnology involves using microorganisms to produce artificial goods. exemplifications include the following:-

  • Turmoil and the use of enzymes and microbes to streamline chemical manufacturing and reduce functional costs and chemical emigrations;
  • Biofuels that use renewable crops similar to sludge to produce combustive energy rather than natural, non-renewable reactionary energy box, similar to petroleum and oil painting; and
  • Biodegradable garments and fabrics made from the proteins of living organisms, similar to the silk proteins of spiders.
  • Synthetic biology is considered one of the essential keystones in artificial biotechnology due to its fiscal and sustainable donation to the manufacturing sector. Concertedly biotechnology and synthetic biology play a vital role in generating cost-effective products with nature-friendly features by using bio-based products rather than reactionary- grounded.
  • Synthetic biology can be used to wangle model microorganisms, similar to Escherichia coli, by genome editing tools to enhance their capability to produce bio-based products,  similar to bioproduction of drugs and biofuels.
  • For case. E coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in an institute could be used as artificial microbes to produce precursors of the chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel by applying metabolic engineering in an ace-culture approach to exploit the benefits from the two microbes.
  • Another illustration of synthetic biology operations in artificial biotechnology is the engineering of the metabolic pathways of E. coli by CRISPR and CRISPR RI systems toward the product of a chemical known as 1,4- butanediol, which is used in fiber manufacturing.

AGRICULTURE:

Agriculture biotechnology genetically masterminds’ shops and creatures to produce more effective husbandry, increase nutritive value, and reduce food instability. Some exemplifications of agriculture biotechnology are the following

  • Biologically produced fungicides and dressings that are less dangerous to humans than chemical bones
  • Failure- resistant crops;
  • Minimum space- flexible crops;
  • Meat enlarged in labs or by using 3D printers;
  • Gluten-free grains friendly to victims of celiac;
  • Picky percentage of individuals that produce healthier, bigger beasts and crops; and
  • Nutrient supplementation that infuses food with added nutrients to give diets and medical treatments.
  • A classic illustration of a genetically- modified factory is Bt. Cotton. Then, Bt., is Bacillus thuringiensis. The thuringiensis microbe secretes a particular poison that can destroy pathogens. The poison is present in the microbe’s body in an inactive state and activates only at an alkaline pH further, it creates pores on the face of the pathogen’s cells. And because of the pores, the cells swell and burst to kill the pathogen.
  • Scientists further used this Bacillus thuringiensis plant to improve crops with the same genetically modified plant. It led to the invention of Bt. Cotton. Then, the target genome of the microbe was linked together to form the genome of cotton to innovate a modified, more resistant, and new crop variety.

CONCLUSION

Biotechnology has tremendous eventuality for adding food products and perfecting food processing although the real impact will only be felt after the time 2000 and it’ll differ from country to country. Productivity must first increase in advanced countries before real benefits can be reaped in developing countries. Where biotechnologies are applied to products for fast domestic requests,” demonstration goods” can stimulate developments in other countries. In this case, there’s considerable compass for cooperation among developing countries. still, where the operation of this new technology aims to increase productivity in the import sectors, successes in some countries could be at the expense of the request position of others. In such an event, transnational competition may jeopardize cooperation among developing countries, which seems necessary for the operation of biotechnologies that are specifically suited to their interests.

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