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Unit - 5 Biology
Unit - 5 Biology
Bioprinting Materials
Bioprinting materials, also known as bioinks, are specifically designed to be compatible with
living cells and provide a supportive environment for their growth and organization. Here are some
examples of commonly used bioprinting materials:
Hydrogels:
Hydrogels are water-based polymer networks that closely mimic the extracellular matrix
(ECM) found in living tissues. They offer excellent biocompatibility, mechanical support, and can
be formulated to have similar physical properties to native tissues. Examples of hydrogels used as
bioinks include:
Gelatin-based hydrogels
Alginate hydrogels
Fibrin-based hydrogels
Collagen-based hydrogels
Cell-laden Aggregates:
In some cases, cells are first aggregated into biomolecules and biomaterials (or microtissues)
before being incorporated into the bioink. These aggregates provide a more physiological
environment for the cells and enhance their viability and functionality.
Figure: Schematic representation of formation of cell aggregates
Decellularized Extracellular Matrix (dECM):
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex network of molecules surrounding cells in
tissues and organs. It provides structural support, biochemical signaling, and regulatory functions.
The ECM of tissues can be extracted and processed to remove cellular components, resulting
in a decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM). dECM bioinks contain natural signaling
molecules and proteins that promote cell attachment, growth, and differentiation. Examples of
dECM bioinks include:
Decellularized porcine small intestine submucosa (SIS)
Decellularized porcine or bovine dermis
Decellularized amniotic membrane
The field of bioprinting is constantly evolving, and new techniques and materials are being
developed to improve the accuracy and reliability of bioprinted tissues and organs.
Figure: Comparing the sensing process of human nose and electronic nose
Advantages of Electrical Nose in Food Science
Rapid Analysis: The electrical nose can provide rapid and objective analysis of food and
beverage aromas and flavors, making it an important tool for quality control and product
development.
Non-Invasive: The electrical nose does not physically come into contact with the food or
beverage sample, making it a non-invasive method for aroma and flavor analysis.
Objective Analysis: The electrical nose provides an objective measurement of food and
beverage aromas and flavors, reducing the potential for human error or subjective bias.
Repeatability: The electrical nose provides consistent and repeatable results, making it a
reliable tool for product development and quality control.
Cost-Effective: The electrical nose is a cost-effective alternative to traditional sensory
analysis methods, as it can perform large numbers of analyses in a relatively short amount
of time.
5.9 Bio-computing
Bio-computing refers to the use of biological systems, such as cells, enzymes, and DNA, for
computing and information processing. This field combines the principles of computer science,
biology, and engineering to create novel systems for computing and data storage.
Technological Importance
The technological importance of bio-computing lies in its potential to provide new and
innovative solutions for computing and information processing. Here are some of the key waysin
which bio-computing can impact technology:
Computational power: Bio-computing systems have the potential to provide new levels of
computational power, as they can perform complex tasks and calculations using biological
processes.
Data storage: Bio-computing systems can be used to store and process large amounts of data,
as DNA has a high information density [consider that a single gram of DNA can theoretically
store up to 215 petabytes (1 petabyte = 1 million gigabytes) of data] and can be easily
synthesized and amplified.
Medical applications: Bio-computing systems can be used to develop new diagnostic and
therapeutic approaches in medicine, such as biosensors and gene therapies.
Environmental monitoring: Bio-computing systems can be used to monitor and track
environmental conditions, such as air and water quality, in real-time.
Energy efficiency: Bio-computing systems are energy-efficient, which is becoming
increasingly important as we face the challenge of climate change and the need to reduce our
energy consumption.
Robustness: Bio-computing systems are highly robust, as they are less susceptible to errors and
failures compared to traditional electronic systems.
Versatility: Bio-computing systems can be programmed and reprogrammed to perform
different tasks, which makes them highly versatile and adaptable.
Advantages of Bio-computing:
Biocompatibility: Bio-computing systems are made from biological components, which are
biocompatible and less likely to cause an immune response compared to traditional electronic
devices.
Energy efficiency: Bio-computing systems use significantly less energy than traditional
electronic computers, as they rely on biological processes that occur naturally and do not require
external power.
Scalability: Bio-computing systems can be easily scaled up or down, as they are based on
biological processes that can be repeated and multiplied.
Robustness: Bio-computing systems are often more robust and reliable than traditional
electronic systems, as they are less susceptible to errors and failures.
Flexibility: Bio-computing systems can be programmed and reprogrammed to perform
different tasks, which makes them highly flexible and adaptable.
Limitations of Biocomputing:
Speed: Bio-computing systems are generally slower than traditional electronic computers, as
they rely on biological processes that occur over time.
Complexity: Bio-computing systems can be complex and challenging to design and build,
requiring specialized knowledge and expertise.
Reliability: Bio-computing systems can be unreliable, as they are subject to the fluctuations
and errors inherent in biological systems.
Cost: Bio-computing systems can be expensive to produce, as they require specialized
materials and equipment.
Technological Importance
The technological importance of bio-imaging for disease diagnosis lies in its ability to
provide detailed images of the body's internal structures and functions, which can help healthcare
professionals to make accurate diagnoses and provide effective treatments.
Some of the key technological advantages of bio-imaging include:
Improved accuracy: Bio-imaging technologies can provide high-resolution images of the body's
internal structures, which can help healthcare professionals to identify subtle changes and make
accurate diagnoses.
Early detection: Bio-imaging can be used to detect diseases in their early stages, when they are
often more treatable. This can lead to earlier treatment and better outcomes for patients.
Multi-modality: Bio-imaging technologies can be combined to provide a multi-modal view
of the body's internal structures and functions, which can provide a more comprehensive
understanding of a disease or condition.
Cost-effectiveness: Many bio-imaging technologies are relatively low-cost, which makesthem
accessible to a wider range of patients.
Minimally invasive: Many bio-imaging techniques are non-invasive, which means that they do
not require incisions or the insertion of instruments into the body. This makes them less painful
and less risky than many traditional diagnostic procedures.
Improved patient outcomes: By providing healthcare professionals with detailed images of the
body's internal structures and functions, bio-imaging can help to improve patient outcomes by
enabling earlier and more accurate diagnoses, and more effective treatments.
Advancements in research: Bio-imaging technologies are also important in advancing medical
research, by providing detailed images of the body's internal structures and functions, which
can help researchers to better understand the underlying mechanisms of diseases and develop
new treatments.
Advantages
Some of the key advantages of bio-imaging for disease diagnosis include:
Non-invasive: Many bio-imaging techniques are non-invasive, which means that they do not
require incisions or the insertion of instruments into the body. This makes them less painful
and less risky than many traditional diagnostic procedures.
High resolution: Bio-imaging technologies can provide high-resolution images of the body's
internal structures, which can help healthcare professionals to identify subtle changes and
make accurate diagnoses.
Early detection: Bio-imaging can be used to detect diseases in their early stages, when they
are often more treatable. This can lead to earlier treatment and better outcomes for patients.
Multi-modality: Bio-imaging technologies can be combined to provide a multi-modal view
of the body's internal structures and functions, which can provide a more comprehensive
understanding of a disease or condition.
Cost-effective: Many bio-imaging technologies are relatively low-cost, which makes them
accessible to a wider range of patients.
Table: Comparing bioremediation via microbial surface adsorption and biomining via microbial
surface adsorption
Bioremediation via Microbial Biomining via Microbial
Aspect
Surface Adsorption Surface Adsorption
To remove or neutralize
To extract valuable metals or
Objective pollutants/contaminants from the
minerals from ores
environment
Microorganisms adsorb and degrade Microorganisms adsorb and
Process
pollutants/contaminants extract metals from ores
Targeted Focuses on organic pollutants or Focuses on desired metals or
Contaminants/Metals contaminants minerals
Diverse range of microbial strains Specific microbial strains with
Microorganisms
with pollutant-degrading capabilities
metal adsorption capabilities
Surface Adsorption Microorganisms attach to pollutant Microorganisms attach to metal
Mechanism surfaces surfaces
Environmental Can restore ecosystems and improve Can potentially cause some
Impact environmental quality environmental disturbances
Quicker results for metal
Timeframe for Can take months to years for
extraction in controlled
Results significant remediation
conditions
Waste Generation Waste generation and disposal
May generate waste that requires
and Disposal considerations in mining
proper disposal
Considerations operations
Applications Soil, water, and air pollution Mining operations for metal
remediation extraction
Bioremediation and biomining via microbial surface adsorption is a process that utilizes
microorganisms to remove heavy metals like lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic from
contaminated environments or ore deposits, respectively.
Lead Pseudomonas sp.: Some strains of Pseudomonas bacteria have the ability to
tolerate and accumulate lead.
Bacillus sp.: Certain Bacillus species have been found to exhibit resistance to
lead and can effectively bind and remove it.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae: This yeast species has been shown to adsorb and
immobilize lead from aqueous solutions.
Cadmium Cupriavidus metallidurans: This bacterium is known for its high resistance to
heavy metals, including cadmium.
Trichoderma spp.: Some species of Trichoderma fungi have shown the ability
to tolerate and accumulate cadmium.
Chlorella vulgaris: This green microalga has been used for cadmium removal
due to its high metal-binding capacity.
Mercury Pseudomonas putida: Certain strains of Pseudomonas putida have the ability to
tolerate and accumulate mercury.
Penicillium chrysogenum: Some strains of Penicillium chrysogenum fungi have
shown the capacity to bind and remove mercury.
Spirogyra sp.: This filamentous green alga has been used for mercury removal
due to its ability to accumulate and sequester mercury.
Arsenic Shewanella sp.: Certain strains of Shewanella bacteria have the ability to
tolerate and accumulate arsenic.
Aspergillus niger: Some strains of Aspergillus niger fungi have shown the
capacity to bind and remove arsenic.
Chlorella vulgaris: This green microalga has been used for arsenic removal due
to its ability to accumulate and sequester arsenic.