BIOTECHNOLOGY BIOTECHNOLOGY AND ITS …

1 NEO IAS 0484-3190310, 9446331522, 9446334122 Page 1 | | | BIOTECHNOLOGY BIOTECHNOLOGY AND ITS applications BIOTECHNOLOGY : BIOTECHNOLOGY is the use of micro- organisms, animal or plant cells or their components to generate products and services useful to human beings. Put simply, BIOTECHNOLOGY uses living organisms, cells or cell components to create useful products. It is technology based on biology. Traditionally, BIOTECHNOLOGY had been in use from ancient times. The micro organisms were used to obtain products like curd, vinegar, bread etc. In these processes, only the natural capabilities of the cells or organisms were exploited.

2 But recent developments in molecular biology have given BIOTECHNOLOGY new meaning, new prominence, and new potential. Modern BIOTECHNOLOGY is based on genetic engineering. HOW MODERN BIOTECHNOLOGY WORK?? All organisms are made up of cells, that are programmed by the same basic genetic material, called DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). Each unit of DNA is made up of a combination of the following nucleotides -- adenine (A), guanine (G), thymine (T), and cytosine (C) -- as well as a sugar and a phosphate. These nucleotides pair up into strands that twist together into a spiral structure called as double helix." This double helix is DNA. Segments of the DNA tell individual cells how to produce specific proteins. These segments are genes.

3 It is the presence or absence of the specific protein that gives an organism a trait or characteristic. More than 10,000 different genes are found in most plant and animal species. This total set of genes for an organism is organized into chromosomes within the cell nucleus. The process by which a multicellular organism develops from a single cell through an embryo stage into an adult is ultimately controlled by the genetic information of the cell, as well as interaction of genes and gene products with environmental factors. Genetic engineering is the process of transferring individual genes between organisms or modifying the genes in an organism to remove or add a desired trait or characteristic. It mainly makes use of the technique of recombinant DNA technology.

4 Recombinant DNA technology involves mainly two steps: cutting or isolating a segment of DNA or a desired gene and joining or transferring this DNA or gene with the DNA of a different organism. The new DNA formed contains a foreign DNA and is called a recombinant DNA. The organism that contains an artificially inserted gene (known as transgene), is known as transgenic organism or genetically modified organism. applications OF BIOTECHNOLOGY : Biotech presents opportunities to address some of the world s biggest challenges, including our increasing and ageing population, healthcare needs, resource efficiency, food security, climate change and energy shortages. IN HEALTHCARE THE applications OF BIOTECHNOLOGY ARE: The industrial production of hormones (insulin, growth hormones), antibiotics (pencillin), vaccines (Hepatitis B) and more.

5 Gene therapy: The process of altering DNA within cells in an organism to treat or cure a disease. Gene therapy is of two types: Germline Gene Therapy (in which NEO IAS 0484-3190310, 9446331522, 9446334122 Page 2 | | | germ cells, , sperms or eggs are modified by the introduction of functional genes, which are ordinarily integrated into their genomes and the change would be passed on to generations) and Somatic Gene Therapy (in which gene is introduced only in somatic cells especially in those tissues where the expression of the concerned gene is critical for health. Expression of introduced gene eliminates the symptoms of the disorder.)

6 New genetic therapies are being developed to treat diseases such as cystic fibrosis, AIDS and cancer. Use of biotech processes to develop new drugs and fight epidemics. Molecular Diagnosis (Diagnosis of Disease): It is well known that an early diagnosis and understanding its pathophysiology (symptoms, etc.) are very important for the effective treatment of the disease. Using conventional methods of diagnosis (serum and urine analysis, etc.) early detection is not possible. Recombinant DNA technology, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) are some of the techniques that serve the purpose of early diagnosis. It can also be used to detect genetic disorders. Production of personalised medicine tailored to an individual patient, to increase its effectiveness and minimise health risks and side effects.

7 IN AGRICULTURE, THE applications OF BIOTECHNOLOGY ARE: In development of varieties with improved resistance to pests (pest resistance through Genetically Modified Bt Cotton), diseases. The development of biofertilizers (substances that make the soil rich with nutrients using micro organisms) further, reduce the need for fertilizer and other expensive agricultural chemicals. In the production of crop varieties with higher yields and better quality (fruits with better tastes and having longer shelf life). Generation of crop varieties that can withstand harsh environmental conditions like drought, salinity. Improve upon the food we consume by developing crops with enhanced nutrition profiles (Golden Rice with higher concentration of Vitamin-A) that address particular deficiencies (iron deficiency), or produce foods with fewer allergens and toxins.

8 Ensure improving the efficiency and sustainability of farming practices thereby supporting biodiversity, decrease soil disturbance and the use of both water and fuel, and, overall, reduce the environmental impact of farming. For ensuring food quality: Modern BIOTECHNOLOGY offers effective techniques to address food safety concerns. Biotechnical methods may be used to decrease the time necessary to detect food borne pathogens, toxins, and chemical contaminants, as well as to increase detection sensitivity. Enzymes, antibodies, and microorganisms produced using rDNA techniques are being used to monitor food production and processing systems for quality control. applications OF BIOTECHNOLOGY IN ENVIRONMENT ARE: Environmental BIOTECHNOLOGY utilizes the biochemical potential of microorganisms and plants for the preservation and restoration of the environment.

9 It is used in waste treatment and pollution prevention and can more efficiently clean up than conventional methods and thereby, greatly reduce dependence on methods for land-based disposal. NEO IAS 0484-3190310, 9446331522, 9446334122 Page 3 | | | Bioremediation: It refers to the productive use of microorganisms to remove or detoxify pollutants, that otherwise intimidate human health. Majority of bioremediation applications use naturally occurring microorganisms to identify and filter toxic waste before it is introduced into the environment or to clean up existing pollution problems. Some more advanced systems using genetically modified microorganisms are being tested in waste treatment and pollution control to remove difficult-to-degrade materials (hazardous materials).

10 Environmental Detection and Monitoring: A wide range of biological methods are in use to detect pollution and for the continuous monitoring of pollutants. applications of these methods are cheaper, faster and precise. Biological detection methods using biosensors and immunoassays have been developed. A biosensor is an analytical device that converts a biological response into an physical, chemical or electrical signal. The development of biosensors involves integration of a specific and sensitive biologically derived sensing elements (immobilized cells, enzymes or antibodies) are integrated with physico-chemical transducers (either electrochemical or optical). Immobilised on a substrate, their properties change in response to some environmental effect in a way that is electronically or optically detectable.