Introduction to Biotechnology

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Introduction to Biotechnology
Written by Phyllis Dumas June 2010
Written by Phyllis Dumas June 2010
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What is biotechnology?

• A science that uses living organisms or the
  products from living organisms to benefit humans
  and their surroundings.

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Origins of Biotechnology

• Although it seems like a new thing, biotechnology
  has actually been around for a while
• Domesticated plants and animals are the result of
  selective breeding
• Using yeast to make bread rise
• Using bacteria or yeast to ferment grapes into
  wine

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So Why Should I Care?

• Biotechnology affects agriculture and food
  safety, healthcare, law enforcement and
  environmental issues
• Career opportunities
• Voting on laws and policies
• Biotechnology could play a key part in the
  evidence in court cases

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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

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Applications of Biotechnology Cloning

• Cloning is creating a genetically identical copy
  of something
• Single cells and DNA are fairly easy to clone,
  but cloning entire organisms becomes increasingly
  difficult
• Cloning uses an egg cell from one donor and DNA
  from a second donor implanted into a surrogate.

• Done to create cells for research, maintain
  desirable genetics, and save human and animal
  lives

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DNA Fingerprinting

• DNA fingerprinting is identifying the pattern of
  certain sequences in parts of DNA
• DNA is isolated, copied, cut into pieces, and
  separated based on size using gel
  electrophoresis.
• Probes are then used to find specific DNA
  sequences.
• Can be used for maternity or paternity tests and
  in forensics to determine identity and compare
  unknown DNA samples to find out if a suspect is
  guilty or not

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Modern Biotechnology

• Modern biotechnology has been impacted by
  developments in the fields of biology,
  chemistry, genetics, and microbiology and also
  incorporates techniques from physics and
  mathematics