1. What is Biotechnology?

2. Biotechnology Break it down to the root words and what do you get?
“The use of living organisms to solve problems or make useful products.”
Electron microscope
photograph
of yeast cells

3. Biotechnology We have been using Biotechnology for thousands of years.
The ability of microorganisms to produce acids and gasses as a result of normal cell metabolism has been taken advantage of to make new and exciting foods for generations.
Can you think of some examples of such products?

4. Biotechnology
Bread
Cheese
Beer and Wine

5. Biotechnology
For years humans have been also been manipulating the genetic makeup of organisms to make more useful products.
For example: Peas, Corn, Domesticated farm animals (Cows, sheep, etc.)

6. The Biotechnology Revolution
So why are we talking about a Biotechnology revolution? Why are you in this class? What’s so New?
Our knowledge of cell and molecular biology has reached a point where we can manipulate organisms at the molecular level.

7. “New” Biotechnology
There are now several thousand companies that have been born to take advantage of the new techniques and knowledge available to biologists to create products that are useful to human society.

8. A collection of Technologies & Skills
Biotechnology uses a collection of scientific skills mixed with Sales, Marketing, Legal, Regulatory, and Human Resource skills

9. Biotechnology research Disciplines
Biochemistry
Cell Biology
Molecular Biology
Microbiology
Genetics
Immunology
Engineering
Materials science
Computer science
Mathematics

10. Biotechnology Applications
Medical
Diagnostic
Therapeutics
Vaccines
Environmental
Environmental monitoring
Bioremediation
Pollution prevention
Agriculture
Crop yield
Animal Health
Food Quality

11. Genetic Engineering
The core of this class will focus on the biology and tools of genetic engineering
Isolation of genes with a specific (useful) function.
Insertion of that gene into an organism that will transcribe and translate that product.
Expression of the gene at high volume to make a product
E.g. Insulin

12. Bioinformatics
Is the use and organization of information about biology.
A fusion of Computer science, mathematics, and molecular biology.
Whole genomes can be sequenced in days.
Massive amounts of data available e.g. at: (
Comparisons of sequences
Analysis of Protein structures
Correlation of marker sequences with disease or reaction to drugs.

13. Interesting Links
DNA Chip Technology
Glow-pig:
Heart of stem-cells:
(video)
Super-carrot:
Curing deafness:
Artificial life: