Biotechnology

Definition: The use of living organisms or their processes for the manufacture of useful products or for services.

History: Term coined by Karl Ereky (1919). Traditional biotech involves fermentation (yogurt, bread). Modern biotech involves Genetic Engineering.

Applications: Health (Insulin, Interferon, Vaccines), Agriculture (GMO crops), Environment (Pollution control, Bio-leaching).

Definition: Anaerobic respiration (incomplete oxidation of glucose) or large-scale production of products by microorganisms in fermenters.

Types:

• Alcoholic Fermentation: Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) breaks glucose into Ethanol and CO2. Used in bread and alcohol making.
• Lactic Acid Fermentation: Bacteria (Lactobacillus) convert pyruvic acid into Lactic Acid. Used in yogurt and cheese making.

Food Products: Yogurt, Cheese in Dairy; Pickle; Soy Sauce (from Soya beans); Bread (Yeast).

Industrial Products: Formic Acid (Textile dyeing), Ethanol (Solvent), Glycerol (Printing/Soaps), Acrylic Acid (Plastics).

Large containers used to grow microorganisms for fermentation.

Types:

• Batch Fermentation: Discontinuous. Nutrients added once, product harvested after fixed time.
• Continuous Fermentation: Nutrients added continuously, products removed continuously.

Advantages: Controlled environment (Temp, pH, O2), Mass production, Cost-effective.

Definition: Process of altering genes (DNA) or transplanting genes from one organism to another. Also called Recombinant DNA Technology.

Objectives: Treat genetic disorders, improve crop yield, produce medicines (Insulin).

Steps:

1. Isolation of Gene of Interest (from Donor).
2. Insertion into Vector (Plasmid or Bacteriophage) using restriction enzymes and ligase. Forms Recombinant DNA.
3. Transfer into Host (Bacteria).
4. Growth of GMO (Gene Cloning).
5. Expression of Gene (Production of desired protein).

Health: Production of Human Insulin (1982), Interferon (Anti-viral), Growth Hormones, Vaccines (Hepatitis B), Gene Therapy (Curing Thalassemia).

Agriculture: GMO Crops (Transgenic plants). Pest-resistant (Cotton, Corn), Virus-resistant (Potato, Tobacco), Improved nutrition (Golden Rice with Beta-carotene).

Definition: Protein extracted from pure cultures of algae, yeasts, fungi or bacteria (microorganisms) grown on agricultural wastes.

Examples: Spirulina (Blue-green algae), Quorn (Mycoprotein from fungus).

Advantages: High protein content, Grow fast, Use waste materials, Don't require fertile land, Independent of climate.