INTRODUCTION TO BIO-TECHNOLOGY

DEFINITION
Biotechnology is generally defined as the application of biological organisms , systems and process for

manufacturing and service.

In order to better understand the definition of biotechnology.

Biological agent Technique Useful product or service

BIOLOGICAL AGENT

1. They include living organisms like microbes ,plants, animals or generally modified[GM]microbes.

2. Substances from these organisms like tissues, cells , enzymes and fragments of D.N.A.

TECHNIQUE

1. TRADITIONAL BIOTECHNOLOGY

Techniques included are selection and cross breeding used for improvement of the characteristics like
better yield ,resistance to diseases, vigour of economically important plants and animals.

Fermentation [alcohol] ,foods [idli , bread],antibiotics [ pencillin ]etc..

2. MODERN BIOTECHNOLOGY

It refers to sophisticated novel techniques for genetic manipulation mostly outside the cell.

Technique of genetic engineering-where in a foreign gene [from any biological organism in the universe]
for a desired product is inserted, using vectors ,into an organism called the host ,so that the gene can be
expressed to produce the product in the host.

Example

TECHNIQUE OF CELL FUSION

It involves the formation of single cell from to different types of cells i.e the hybrid or cybrid. This is done
in order to combine the desirable characteristics of the 2 cells.
EX:A cancerous cell called myeloma ,having the characteristic of immortality and a Blymphocyte , having
the characteristic of producing antibodies ,are both fused together to give what is called as hybridoma [a
hybrid myeloma].

This has traits of both the cells and used for producing monoclonal antibodies.

USEFUL PRODUCT OR SERVICE

The products or services include

humulin,monoclonalantibodies,pencillin,urease,shikonin,alkaloids,steroids,prostanglandins,diagnostics,e
ffluent treatment [bio-remediation}etc

scope
Biotechnology has a wide ranging scope.

It has a role to play , in a lot many industries directly or indirectly related to our lives.
Some of the biotechnology based products and services are
GENERIC NAME BRAND NAME NAME OF THE THERAPEUTIC USE
COMPANY

Hormones
Human insulin Humulin Eli Lilly Insulin dependent diabetes
Human growth Protropine Genentech Growth hor mone deficiency
hormone

Interferons
Interferon-α Welferon Glaxowelcome Chronic hepatitis C
Interferon α 2a Roferon -A Hoffmann La- Roche Hair cell Leukaemia,AIDS related
Kaposis sarcoma

Monoclonal
antibodies
Trastuzumab Herceptin Genentech Metastatic breast cancer
Staumomab Oncoscint Cytogen Detection,staging&follow up of
colorectal &ovarian cancers

Enzymes
Alteplase
Activase Genentech MI,Pulmonary embolism

Vaccines
Hepatitis B Energix;B Smith Kline Hepatitis b prophylaxis

Miscellaneous
Cartilage culturing Carticel Genzyme Cartilage damage in Knees
service
Skin graft product Apligraft Novartis Wound healing of venous leg ulcers

Growth factors
Epoetin α Epogen Amgen Anemias for various causes

In the coming years a lot more biotech based products shall be introduced In to the market through out
the world
FUTURE PERSPECTIVES
It is rightly said that present is of information technology future shall be biotechnology

This is to say that , with information technology we can have things created in ‘Visual reality’(cyber
pace) but with biotechnology u have things produced in real

EX: Purple rose, in IT sector can be created by filling purple colour into petals but, with biotechnology we
can manipulate genes of naturally occurring red rose and can produce a purple rose.

A new field called Bio-informatics is invented which has a relation between biology and computer
science which shall contribute to the pace of advance in each field.

NEW GOALS:
1. PROTEIN DESIGN: The modification of natural genes to produce novel proteins capable of acting
as power full pharmaceuticals.
2. Production of newer organisms and transgenics.
3. Production of vaccines for AIDS, malaria, hepatitis and other major diseases.
4. Engineering microbes for cleaning up oil spills and toxic waste or for producing chemicals from
renewable sources etc;
5. Devicing new technologies to produce genetically modified cells to replace worn out and
discarded cells.