What is Biotechnology?

Chapter 1

1.1 BiotechnologyIntroduction

For centuries humans manipulate living organisms for desired characters

Increased milk, meat or egg from cows and chickenIncreased yield from plants

Recently not only whole organisms but cells, molecules, tissues and organs

Insulin made in bacteria cells to treat diabetics

1.1 BiotechnologyDefinitions

Large area…..Many definitionsTechnology based on biology used in agriculture, food science, medicine, and industryModern techniques

Recombinant DNA technology (rDNA)….cutting and recombining DNA molec.Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)….copying short pieces of DNACloning….producing identical organisms

1.1 BiotechnologyLab techniques

BiologyChemistry PhysicsMathematicsComputer Skills

1.2 Biotechnology ProductsAntibiotics

Penicillin from penicillium sp Amoxicillin and carbenicillin…modification used to stop bacteria resistant to penicillin

Plant extractsMedical and industrial productsRubber from rubber trees

1.2 BiotechnologyBioengineered Products

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

Recombinant DNA inserted into cells to give new characteristicsE.Coli bacteria 1st GMO to produce human protein (human growth hormone, somatostain)1st GMP to be sold was Human tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA)

1.2 Biotechnology Bioengineered Products

t-PAA blood-clot-dissolving enzymeUsed immediately after heart attackClear blocked blood vesselsTable 1.1 lists a variety of Biotech products

1.2 BiotechnologyHuman Genome Project

CompletedDetermining human DNA sequence on 23 chromosomes

Further workID all genesDetermine their function

1.3 BiotechnologyProduct Selection

Ideas from Research teams and scientistsResearch and development (R&D) of a certain Biotech product

Several years before marketingEffectivenessLarge scale productionIf drug, clinical trials under FDA

1.3 BiotechnologyProduct Selection

If drug, avg.10-15 years (“product pipeline”) before marketing

Recent example:Enzyme Pulmozyme by Genentech, IncUsed to manage genetic disorder, cystic fibrosis (CF)CF clogs respiratory and digestive systems with mucusFatal by age 30Patients life improves b/c Pulmozyme reduces amount of mucus produced

1.4 BiotechnologyScientific Method in Research1. Propose a testable scientific question

Based on some information or observations2. Develop a hypothesis3. Plan a valid experiment

Numerical dataReplicationsVariable and control

4. Conduct exp. And collect data5. Formulate a conclusion

Omit sections 1.5 and 1.6Covered in another course

Homework 1 Due Thursday 8/30/07

Page 14, review questions 2 and 3Page 19, review questions 1, 2 and 4Page 23, review questions 2 and 4Thinking like a biotechnician

Questions 1, 2, and 7This project is funded by a grant awarded under the President’s Community Based Job Training Grant as

implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (CB-15-162-06-60). NCC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the following basis: against any individual in the United States, on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age disability, political affiliation or belief; and against any beneficiary of programs financially assisted under Title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), on the basis of the beneficiary’s citizenship/status as a lawfully admitted immigrant authorized to work in the United States, or his or her participation in any WIA Title I-financially assisted program or activity.

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