An Introduction to Biotechnology

By:Ms. Smita Shukla

Assistant ProfessorAPIIT, SD(Panipat)

What is Biotechnology & what does it mean to you?

Standard definition:• Technology that uses living organisms(or their

products) for human or environmental benefit, to make a product, or to solve a problem.

Biotechnology has a long history

• Humans have been using organisms for benefit for centuries. Example; Domestication of animals.

• Fermentation: some yeast breakdown sugars and produce alcohol/ CO2.

• Selective breeding of plants/animals.

• Gene cloning; genetic engineering & recombinant DNA Technology.

• Human genome project.

Biotechnology is an interdisciplinary industry

• Biotech companies are always looking for people with training in:

• Molecular biology• Computer science• Mathematics• Engineering• Philosophy• Economics• Bioinformatics: Application of computer science to study DNA

& protein data etc…

What types of biotechnology are there?

Microbial Biotechnology

• Yeast used for fermentation.• Bacterially derived components can:• Help leach oil & minerals from the soil to increase mining

efficiency; • Decontaminate industrial waste.• Genetically engineered bacteria can: produce large amount of

medically important proteins like Insulin etc..

Agricultural Biotechnology

Plants can be genetically engineered to become resistant to:• Pests• Severe weather.

Molecular farming: Use of plants as a source of pharmaceutical products; produce with new characteristics such as enhanced flavor or vitamin content can be developed via genetic engineering.

Animal Biotechnology

Animals can be used as sources of antibodies for therapeutics or research purposes.

Transgenic animals can produce various therapeutic proteins in body fluids(e.g. milk)

Knock out experiments reveal information concerning gene function

Animal cloning has been carried out and is controversial

Forensic Biotechnology

DNA fingerprinting is a powerful technique for gathering evidence concerning crime scenes, paternity cases and genetic research.

Bioremediation

• Use of biotech to process & degrade substances that cause environmental threats.

• Example: Genetically engineered bacteria broke down components in crude oil and cleaned up areas affected by oil spills.

Aquatic Biotechnology

Aquaculture can be used to replenish endangered and over harvested species(giant clams, sea urchins…)

Genetically engineered oysters: Disease resistant strains which resist salmon- infecting viruses and production of vaccines against such viruses.

Transgenic fish with enhanced GH production.

Aquatic extremophile gene products.

Medical Biotechnology

• Gene discovery.• Gene therapy pioneering.• Stem cell technologies.

Regulatory Biotechnology

• Quality Assurance(QA): All activities involved in regulating the final quality of a product.

• Quality Control(QC): Lab testing and monitoring of production processes to ensure consistent product standards(part of QA).

Biological Challenges of the 21st Century

What to do with the HGP?

• We know now that humans have 20,000- 30,000 genes.

• Genomics provides insights into the function/regulation of genes, how genes direct cell activities and how altered genes function in disease.

• Proteomics will be next logical frontier.

• Comparative genomics will give insight into evolution & taxonomy.

How might we benefit from the HGP?

• Early detection and diagnosis of genetic abnormalities.

• Customized drug regiments for individual genomes.

• Application of single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) and correlation with disease states.

• Pharmacogenomics = “Customizable medicine” for both an individual physiology and specific type of tumors.

• Gene therapy: the replacement of a defective gene.

The biotechnology WorkforceJobs in Biotechnology

Research & Development(R&D)

Laboratory technicians- clean & maintain scientific equipments; B.Sc Degrees.

Research Assistants/Associates- carry out experiments under supervision of senior scientists- B.Sc/ M.Sc

Senior Scientists- manage large scientific projects- PhD & post doctoral experience.

Product specialist/ Management Trainees- B.Tech/M.Tech/MBA in any branch of biology.

Product Managers- B.Tech/M.Tech/MBA in any branch of biology.

Manufacturing & Production

Job details are typically company or product specific.

Entry level jobs are plentiful; Supervisory / management jobs usually require B.Sc/ M.Sc in Science and several years of experience.

Engineers are highly sought after by biotech manufacturing and production companies.

Marketing & Sales

Academic training in both science and business are ideal.

Sales representatives work with medical personnel to promote their company’s products.

Marketing specialists develop advertising campaigns and promotional materials.

Thank you!!!