Introduction to biotechnology | A revolution in a science

Introduction:

The earliest biotechnologists were farmers who developed improved species of plants and animals using cross-pollination or cross-breeding techniques. The use of these techniques to manufacture products intended to improve the quality of human life. To improve the situation and achieve global stability, it will be necessary to use the best available knowledge and understanding of biotechnology will be an essential requirement for those who want cost-effective products for their successful future. 

The biological word was used in the 20th century for making dairy products like cheese, curd, beer, bread, etc. In 1919 a Hungarian agriculture engineer called Karl Ereky coined the word biotechnology. 

There are several definitions of the word biotechnology. One simple definition is the 

commercialization of cell and molecular biology. According to the National Science Academy of the United States biotechnology is the controlled use of biological agents like cells and cellular components for beneficial use. It can cover almost classical and modern biotechnology too. Generally, biotechnology can be defined as the use of living organisms, cells, and cellular components for the production of compounds and precise genetic improvement of living things for the benefit of man. 

Genetic engineering has been defined as the artificial manipulation and recombination of DNA and other nucleic acid molecules to modify an organism and a population of organisms. It is defined as the process in which a genome of organisms is altered intentionally. Genetic engineering does not encompass traditional breeding techniques because it requires the manipulation of an organism’s gene through cloning or transformation via the addition of foreign DNA. 

For example, a DNA fragment may be isolated from one organism, spliced into other DNA fragments, and put into a bacterium or another organism. This process is called cloning because many identical copies can be made of the original DNA fragment. In 1970’s the scientists were able to alter the DNA of the organisms and in 1978 the first genetically engineered drug, human insulin was produced by bacteria. 

In other examples of genetic engineering a stretch of DNA often an entire gene may be isolated and its nucleotide sequence determined, or its nucleotide sequence may be altered by in vitro mutagenic methods. The related activities in genetic engineering have 

two basic objectives:

1. To learn more about the ways of nature and work.

2. To make use of the knowledge in practical form. 

To increase the efficiency of production with a useful genetic approach. The fermentation was then shown to be very useful in its production and now genetic engineering promises to make the fermentation process economically competitive. 

There are many ways of DNA cutting, splicing, and altering. But engineered DNA by itself is a static molecule. There is a large impact of molecules integrated into a system production on society. it must come as an element of an artificial or else useful process. 

In 1990 the human genome project was launched to map all the genes of the human cell. The complete draft of the human genome sequence was published in 2002 with the 

following objectives:

1. Determining the human DNA sequence.

2. Understanding the function of the human genetic code.

3. Identify all of the genes.

4. Determining their functions.

5. Understanding how and when genes are turned on and off throughout an individual's lifetime.

Scope And Importance Of Biotechnology:

Biotechnology is the controlled use of biological agents for beneficial use. It is an integrated use of biochemistry, molecular biology, and microbiology to achieve the technological application of the capabilities of biological agents. Therefore, biotechnology has emerged as a science with immense potential for human welfare ranging from food processing, and human health to environmental protection.

Biotechnology In Medicine:

Production of monoclonal antibodies, DNA, RNA probes for diagnosis of various diseases, and valuable drugs like insulin and interferon have been synthesized by bacteria to treat human disease. DNA fingerprints are utilized for the identification of parents and criminals. Development of recombinant vaccines like human hepatitis B etc. by genetically engineered microbes; includes the list of notable achievements in medicine.

Biotechnology In Agriculture:

In agriculture, plant cell, tissue, and organ culture are used for rapid and economical clonal multiplication of fruit and forest trees, for the production of virus-free genetic stocks and planting material as well as in the creation of novel genetic variation through soma-clonal variation. Genetic engineering techniques are utilized to produce transgenic plants with desirable genes like disease resistance, herbicide resistance, and increased shelf life of fruits, etc. Also, molecular breeding has happened in the process of crop improvement.

Biotechnology In an Industry:

Industrial biotechnology is an area in which biotechnology was initiated for the large-scale production of alcohol and antibiotics by microorganisms. Even today a variety of pharmaceutical drugs and chemicals like lactic acid, glycerine, etc. are produced for a better quantity and quality by the help of genetic engineering. 

Biotechnology In an Environment:

The problems of the environment like pollution control and the depletion of natural resources for biodiversity conservation etc are happening due to the use of biotechnology. For example: bacteria are being utilized for detoxification of industrial effluents, in combating oil spills for treatment of sewage, and for biogas production. Bio-pesticides give an environmentally safer alternative to chemical pesticides for the control of insect pests and diseases.

Fermentation:

The classical biotechnology that emerged during the early twentieth century was a microbial-based fermentation process in which the principles of biochemical engineering have been applied to change it into an industrial process. Most living things are today making ATP from glucose by the use of oxygen. Many humans are making ATP also without the use of oxygen. In short, fermentation is a process in which organisms like yeast and bacteria combine to form many useful products and compounds. Two major types of fermentation allow cells to continue to generate ATP through glycolysis. 

Types Of Fermentation:

1. Lactic Acid Fermentation

2. Ethanol fermentation