Lecture 1: Introduction Flashcards
Biotechnology
The use of technology to improve or manipulate living organisms and/or their processes for the benefit of mankind. It is the science of integration and a global industry that generates more than $200 billion in revenue. California and Massachusetts have the most biotech companies. Cancer and AIDS are two main medicinal biotechnologies.
Bioprocessing
Use of living cells to manufacture a product
Bioinformatics
Use of computer technology to manage (gather, analyze, use) biological information
Classic biotechnology
- Ancient-domestication of plants and animals for food and other human needs
- Selecting or breeding plants and animals for a desirable trait
- Use of organisms in a controlled environment to make yogurt, bread, cheese, and alcohol
Modern or Recombinant Biotechnology
- Involves genetic engineering - often trasfers genes from one genus to another and enables the creation of GMO
- Recombinant technology- combines gene fragments from different sources
- Includes recombinant RNA, cell fusion, and stem cells
Classification of Biotechnology
Based on organisms used to make a product (MAP)
1. Microbial biotechnology
2. Animal biotechnology
3. Plant biotechnology
Based on the use of product/technology
1. Forensic biotechnology
2. Agricultural biotechnology
3. Medical biotechnology
4. Industrial biotechnology
5. Environment biotechnology
Fermentation 1000-2000 BC
Makes spirits of wine, vinegar, soy sauce, yogurt, cheese, sauerkraut
1700-1900 Michiaki Takahashi 1974
Living microorganisms used for vaccination
Robert Hooke
Described cells
Pasteur
Described lactic acid fermentation by bacteria
Buchner
Detection of fermentation enzymes in yeast
Charles Darwin
Origin of species
Gregor Mendel
Founder of genetics who worked with pea plants to discover laws of inheritance
1920
Alexander Fleming
Discovered the antibiotic, penicillin produced by fungus Penicillium
1940 Oswald
Isolation of pure DNA
1952 Hershey & Chase
DNA (not protein) is the hereditary material
1953 Watson & Crick
Double helix structure of DNA elucidated
1956 Arthur Kornberg
Crystallizaes DNA Polymerase
1970 Norman Borlaug
First plant breeder to win Nobel prize, Father of Green Revolution
1968 Stanely Cohen
Isolated bacterial plasmids, and showed transformation of antibiotic-resistance gene carried on a plasmid, conferred antibiotic resistance to the transformed bacteria
1970 Herb Boyer
Discovered the DNA restriction enzyme EcoRI
1973 Cohen Boyer, and Berg
Beginning of modern biotechnology, cloned frog DNA in E. Coli
1976 Genentech
Formation of first biotechnology company
1978 Humulin
Human insulin produced in E.Coli, the first recombinant drug approved by FDA
