Biotechnology and Its Applications

Biotechnology is a very broad area of biology which includes application of living organisms and their internal systems, as well as the technology for the benefit of human beings.

It uses living cells to develop new products for specific purposes. It also involves studying bio-organisms, micro-organisms, and cell functions in living beings. It covers the areas concerning living systems such as genetic engineering, plant technology, molecular biology, biomedical technology, pharmaceuticals, animal husbandry, drug design, biomimicry, forensics.

According to application there are some branches of biotechnology:

• Green biotechnology: It is related to agriculture, used to develop genetically modified crops such as drought resistant or bacteria resistant crops.

• Red biotechnology: Used to develop vaccines and medications such as regenerative therapies, antibiotics, and artificial organs.

• Blue biotechnology: It is related to marine resources, used to develop cosmetics, aquaculture and healthcare products. It is also used to obtain biofuel from some microalgae.

• Yellow biotechnology: It is related to food production.

• White biotechnology: It is also called industrial branch which is used in reducing the levels of saturated fats in cooking oils.

• Grey biotechnology: Used in conservation and restoration of contaminated natural ecosystems (Environmental bioremediation)

• Gold biotechnology: Also known as bioinformatics which is responsible for storing, obtaining and analysing biological information related to DNA and amino acids.

Application Of Biotechnology

Our world constantly faces some or the other issue. As we have seen during the COVID-19 pandemic the world came to a sudden halt. The hope of finding a cure or a vaccine rested upon medical consultants, doctors and biotechnology specialists. People believed only these specialists could bring life back to normalcy. Biotechnology plays an important role in the development of vaccines for epidemics, pandemics like COVID-19. Along with this, there are some other important applications of biotechnology in different sectors which are given below:

Application In Agriculture And Food Processing

The application of biotechnology in agriculture is also known as Green Technology or Green Revolution. Scientists and engineers have utilised genetic engineering to develop crops having desired characteristics that are known as Genetically Modified Crops (GM-Crops). Genetic engineering helps to understand the genetics of crops so that farmers obtain maximum yield from their fields and minimise the use of chemicals and fertilisers. In this technology, crops are developed by modifying, exchanging and incorporating genes of one, two or more crops. Some examples of genetic engineering are given below:

• Crops can be made from pests, insects, herbicides, pathogens and pest resistant such as Bt-cotton. It produces Bt-toxin (released by Bacillus thuringiensis) which helps to provide resistance to insects without insecticides. Bacillus thuringiensis forms protein crystals during their growth and these crystals contain a toxic insecticidal protein.

• Enhanced nutritional value of the food such as golden rice which is enriched with vitamin A.

• Reduces the use of harmful fertilisers and chemicals in farming and gardening.

• Crops can be made more tolerant to biotic and abiotic stress.

• Increased efficiency of mineral utilisation by crops and plants.

• Genetically modified crops are an alternative solution to conventional farming.

Biotechnology In Medicine

Biotechnology has many applications in the medical field. It is used for diagnostic, therapeutic, scientific investigations for forensic studies, production of antibiotics, vaccines, and various drugs. It is associated with genetic engineering which helps to determine mutations associated with rare genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anaemia, and Huntington’s disease. It is also used to correct defective genes. It has increased the production of biological, and biopharmaceutical products using genetically modified plants, microbes, animals and fungi. Many safe and therapeutic drugs have been produced by using recombinant DNA technology. These drugs do not induce any allergic reaction. Some continuously evolving applications include:

• Gene therapy: Gene therapy is used to correct genetic defects in children and embryos. Healthy genes are delivered to an individual or to the embryo with a faulty gene so that the function of the faulty gene is restored. By gene therapy disease can be cured permanently If the gene is isolated from the marrow cell and introduced in the embryo.

• Production of antibiotics: Most of the antibiotics are produced using plants. To produce targeted proteins desired genes are incorporated in plants.

• Production of vaccine: Scientists have already manufactured some edible vaccines for some diseases, such as hepatitis B, measles, cholera, etc.

• Production of genetically engineered insulin : Recombinant DNA technology is used in formation of insulin. genetic sequencing for human insulin is incorporated in the plasmid of non-pathogenic strains of E. coli. Forming chains of insulin are combined and extracted by disulfide bonds. It is widely used for the treatment of diabetes.

• Transgenic animal: Those animals whose genes are manipulated to possess and express a foreign gene, known as transgenic animals. These transgenic animals have many uses e.g., study of disease, to create biological products, etc.

Environmental Applications

Biotechnology is useful in energy production, to control pollutants and waste management.

• Energy production: Petroleum products and bio-fuels are produced using biotechnology. Ethanol, bio-methane and bio-diesel are produced on a commercial scale. Biotechnology is also used to refine coal and petroleum from undesirable impurities. It makes oil easier to refine.

• Controlling pollutants: Bio remediation is used to detoxify, degrade and restore contaminated ecosystems (soil and water). In bio remediation scientists use catabolic properties of fungi, plants, microorganisms and enzymes. It also helps to treat other toxic gases emitted from industrial units such as greenhouse gases. Micro organisms are also used to remove oil spills that pollute the ocean.

• Waste management: Biotechnology is also used in management of solid waste and purification of wastewater. Many types of waste such as industrial and food waste are pre-treated in enzyme bio-reactors. Waste also can be converted to biofuel. By using microorganisms, vegetable and plant materials can be converted to make biodegradable plastics.

Industrial Applications

Along with energy production( biofuel) biotechnology has many applications in the industrial sector. Some important applications are given below.

• Textile Industry: Biotechnology has been used in the production of stronger, warmer, shrink and wrinkle-resistant fabrics. It is also used for the finishing of fabrics and garments. Further, It helps to improve dye uptake and absorbance of fabrics.

• Biotechnology is also used to develop smart materials such as self-cleaning glass, self-healing concrete, plants that can change colour, etc.

Biotechnology is evolving at a rapid pace and has its applications in various fields. Owing to the development in biotechnology and its bright prospects, it provides a good opportunity for people interested in research and development.