Application of Biotechnology
Biotechnology is the application of biology to the development of technologies and goods for human benefit. Therapeutics, diagnostics, processed foods, waste management, energy production, and genetically modified crops are just a few of the fields where it can be used. It is the use of biology and other techniques to change or adapt things for specific human use.
1. Application of biotechnology in medicine
In the medical field, biotechnological techniques are utilized to diagnose and cure various disorders. Gene and DNA molecules are used in genetic engineering techniques such as rDNA technology, Gene therapy, and PCR to identify disease and insert new and healthy genes into the body to replace damaged cells.
2. Pharmaceutical drug development
Curative human proteins by recombinant methods were used as medicines. Example :- Human Insulin.. Human Insulin, commonly known as Regular Insulin, is used to treat hyperglycemia in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes patients. Human insulin is manufactured using recombinant DNA technology and is identical to the insulin produced naturally by the body. Hypoglycemia is a disorder characterised by low levels of blood glucose (sugar). Glucose is the primary source of energy in your body. People with diabetes who have problems with medications, food, or exercise are more likely to develop the condition.
3. Industrial application of Biotechnology:
Biotechnology's industrial applications are sometimes categorised into red, green, grey, and white biotechnology. This distinction applies to the application of technology in the fields of medicine (including human and animal medicine), agriculture, the environment, and industry.
Is it possible to pursue remedial therapy for a hereditary ailment if a person is born with it? This is what gene therapy is attempting to do. Gene therapy is a set of techniques for correcting a gene abnormality that has been detected in a child or embryo. To treat a disorder, genes are transferred into a person's cells and tissues.
4. Application of biotechnology in Agriculture
Green Biotechnology refers to the application of biotechnology in agriculture. Biotechnology has made a significant contribution to the advancement of agriculture. Crops that have been genetically modified are created by manipulating DNA to infuse new traits into the plants.
Vital role in agriculture by modifying genes and provide higher-grade food products. By inserting antigenic proteins in to genetically modified crops results in activation of immune system. Through the application of biotechnology, we can improve colour , smell and size of flower and can be used in aesthetical purpose.
Biofuels from food crops like Cereals, oil seeds are the noteworthy application of biotechnology. Example :- Ethanol from corn
Genetically modified herbicide resistant plants like BT crops ( Insect resistant) are gaining importance now a days. Bacillus thuringiensis is an insecticidal bacteria that produces an endotoxin. When an insect ingests this toxin, it becomes immobilised and eventually dies. The gene that causes endotoxin production is extracted and introduced into the cotton plant's DNA. Insects are unable to attack the cotton plant as a result of this.
The generation of transgenic plants is the main focus of modern plant biotechnology. Transgenic plants are those whose DNA has been altered by genetic engineering. A transgenic plant is one that has had a gene or genes artificially introduced. The transgene is the gene sequence that has been added, and it may be from an unrelated plant or a completely different species. The goal of putting a set of genes into a plant is to make it as helpful and productive as possible. This technique offers benefits such as increased shelf life, increased yield, pest resistance, improved quality, heat, cold, and drought resistance.
Golden Rice, a transgenic beta carotene-rich (forerunner of Vitamin A) grain, was used as a nutrient supplement to help people live longer and healthier lives. Biotechnology aids in the creation of nutrient-rich foods that are known to combat hunger and disease. People that consume this rice produce higher vitamin A.
5. Manufacturing power fibers
The manufacture of Spider Silk is one of the biotechnology applications. It has a higher tensile strength than steel and is the strongest fiber available. Spider silk is a biopolymer with exceptional strength, toughness, elasticity, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. For the creation of recombinant spider silk proteins, a variety of host systems, spanning from bacteria to animal systems, have been used. In addition, spider silk is antibacterial, hypoallergenic, and biodegradable. Spider silk is mostly made up of proteins that contain a lot of nonpolar and hydrophobic amino acids like glycine and alanine, but little or very little tryptophan. It is more durable than Kevlar, the material used in bullet proof vests.
6. Application in Food processing
Foods with higher shelf life were created by the use of biotechnology. Fermented foods like Cheese and yogurt were known for its high nutritive value. Developing of high yielding strains for obtaining better quality were easily done with biotechnological techniques.
Biotechnology has been used to develop foods with longer shelf lives. Fermented foods, such as cheese and yoghurt, were prized for their nutritional benefit. Biotechnological advances made the development of high yielding strains for improved manufacturing of of these products.
7. Application in Environment
Environmental biotechnology is an area of science and engineering that deals with using microbes and their products to prevent, treat, and monitor pollution in solid, liquid, and gaseous wastes, polluted ecosystems, and biomonitoring.
Bioremediation :- Bioremediation is a field of biotechnology that involves the removal of contaminants, pollutants, and toxins from soil, water, and other environments using living organisms such as microorganisms and bacteria. Oil spills and contaminated groundwater are cleaned up via bioremediation.
Biotransformation :- Biotransformation is the process of converting organic molecules from one form to another in order to lessen their persistence and toxicity. A wide range of microorganisms and their products, such as bacteria, fungus, and enzymes, facilitate this process.
Bio energy :- Bioenergy is one of many different options that can help us satisfy our energy needs. It's a type of renewable energy obtained from recently live organic elements called biomass, and it may be used to make transportation fuels, heat, electricity, and products.
8. Application in Cosmetic Industry
Biotechnology has facilitated the creation of natural and bio-based products in the cosmetics industry. Bacteria play an important function in natural skin care products. As a result, ammonia-oxidizing bacteria are used by biotechnology-based firms to keep our skin healthy. Cosmetics made by biotech companies are used in prominent spas all over the world.
Biotechnology application could be a crucial development tool for all countries. Biotechnology, which is interlaced with culture and socio-ethical beliefs, could be used to solve future problems such as food and water shortages, which obstructs national progress and threatens peace in emerging countries.
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