Biotechnology: concept and scope of biotechnology

Biotechnology Concepts:-

•      The term biotechnology was coined by Hungarian engineer Karl Ereky in 1919.

•      Biotechnology is a new term but this process has been used since ancient times. For example, wine, curd, vinegar, etc. have been produced by fermentation with the help of microorganisms.

•      After the discovery of RE (Restriction Endonuclease) in 1970, new methods of gene technology developed which were extremely beneficial for humans. This brought revolutionary changes in the field of Biotechnology.

•     Definition:- The branch of biology in which beneficial products are made for human beings by the controlled use of biological factors such as microorganisms or the components of cells is called biotechnology.

•   Old Biotechnology:- This type of biotechnology is based on the natural abilities of microbes. It has 2 main objectives -

i. Seeking new microbes with greater capabilities

ii. Improve the ability of micro organisms by selection, mutation etc.

•   New Biotechnology:- In this type of biotechnology, useful potential is developed artificially. like -

i. Recombinant DNA Technology

ii. Plant Tissue Culture

iii. Monoclonal Antibody Production

iv. Embryo Transfer in Animals

•   Historical Biotechnological Events:-

i. The use of yeast to make wine began around 6000 BC.

ii. The use of yeast to make bread began around 4000 BC.

iii. Sewage treatment started in 1910 with the use of microbes.

iv. Large scale production of acetone, glycerol and butanol began in 1912 with the use of bacteria.

v. Large scale production of penicillin began in 1944.

vi. Successful experiments in genetic engineering were carried out in 1973.

vii. In 1980, human foods obtained from fungi started trading in England.

viii. In 1983, the use of synthetic insulin in humans was permitted in the USA and England. This insulin was produced by bacteria which are obtained by genetic engineering.

Applications:-

1. Bio-control:- Weeds, diseases and pests are biologically controlled by the use of viruses, bacteria, fungi, etc. It does not cause any pollution in the environment.

2. Bio-fertilizers:- Rhizobium, BGA, Azolla etc. perform nitrogen fixation. They are being used in limited quantities. Azolla is widely used in paddy cultivation in Vietnam.

3. Embryo Culture:-

Ø  Inter specific which are difficult to survive, can be rescued by embryo culture.

Ø  Haploid plants are obtained from inter specific hybrids.

Ø  Micro-propagation of orchids is done.

4. Rapid clonal multiplication:- Fruits and flowers producing plants or wild plants are multiplied by meristem culture.

5. Disease free plants:-

Ø  Primarily useful for virus protection.

Ø  These are achieved through meristem culture and thermotherapy (incubation).

Ø  It is mainly useful in clonal crops.

6. Germplasm Conservation:-

Ø  The meristem, embryo and cells are stored in liquefied nitrogen at -196 ° C.

Ø  The meristem culture is kept in a slow growth state.

Ø It is particularly useful in clonal crops.

7. Isolation of homozygous lines:-

Ø  Homozygous lines can be obtained by chromosomal duplication of haploid plants derived from pollen culture.

Ø  In only two generations the homozygous lines are obtained.

Ø  In China, more than 24 improved varieties have been developed in paddy, wheat, barley, mustard etc.

8. Genetic Engineering:-

Ø  Remove the desired genes from other organisms and transfer them to plants.

Ø  We do this for the following features: -

i. Insect Resistance

ii. Virus Resistance

iii. Weedicide Resistance

Ø  This is a revolutionary change in crop improvement.

Scope of Biotechnology:- 

Job opportunities in different sectors:- - Healthcare - Medicine - Medical Sciences - Pharmaceuticals - Agriculture - Animal husbandry - Genetic Engineering. 

Different posts in different sectors:- - Forensic Science Technicians - Medical Scientists - Microbiologists - Environmental Biotechnologist - Geneticist - Molecular Biotechnologist - Biochemist - Medical Technician and Clinical Lab Technologist - Pharmaceutical Biotechnologist.