Biotechnology Basics

Study Notes

Biotechnology: the use of biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products for specific use
Interdisciplinary field combining biology, chemistry, engineering, and other sciences
Applications: medicine, agriculture, industry, and environmental sustainability

Red Biotechnology: medical applications, e.g., genetic testing, gene therapy, and regenerative medicine
Green Biotechnology: agricultural applications, e.g., genetically modified crops, biofertilizers, and biopesticides
White Biotechnology: industrial applications, e.g., bioproducts, biofuels, and bioremediation
Blue Biotechnology: marine and aquatic applications, e.g., aquatic bioproducts, biofuels, and bioremediation

Recombinant DNA Technology: manipulation of DNA sequences to create new genetic combinations
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): amplification of specific DNA sequences
Gene Editing: precise modification of genes using CRISPR-Cas9 and other technologies
Microarrays: analysis of gene expression and genetic variation

Genetic Testing: diagnosis and risk assessment for genetic disorders
Gene Therapy: treatment of genetic disorders using genetically modified cells
Regenerative Medicine: use of stem cells and bioactive molecules to repair or replace damaged tissues
Vaccine Development: creation of vaccines using biotechnology techniques

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): crops with improved traits, e.g., pest resistance, drought tolerance
Biofertilizers: microorganisms that fix nitrogen, solubilize phosphorus, or produce plant growth promoters
Biopesticides: biological control agents, e.g., Bt toxin, to manage pests and diseases

Bioremediation: use of microorganisms to clean pollutants from contaminated sites
Biofuels: production of fuels from biomass using microorganisms or enzymatic processes
Bioreactors: controlled environments for biological processes, e.g., wastewater treatment, biogas production

Biotechnology combines biology, chemistry, engineering, and other sciences to develop products for specific uses.
It involves the use of biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives to make or modify products.

Red Biotechnology: focuses on medical applications, such as genetic testing, gene therapy, and regenerative medicine.
Green Biotechnology: focuses on agricultural applications, such as genetically modified crops, biofertilizers, and biopesticides.
White Biotechnology: focuses on industrial applications, such as bioproducts, biofuels, and bioremediation.
Blue Biotechnology: focuses on marine and aquatic applications, such as aquatic bioproducts, biofuels, and bioremediation.

Recombinant DNA Technology: manipulates DNA sequences to create new genetic combinations.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): amplifies specific DNA sequences.
Gene Editing: precisely modifies genes using CRISPR-Cas9 and other technologies.
Microarrays: analyzes gene expression and genetic variation.

Genetic Testing: diagnoses and assesses the risk of genetic disorders.
Gene Therapy: treats genetic disorders using genetically modified cells.
Regenerative Medicine: uses stem cells and bioactive molecules to repair or replace damaged tissues.
Vaccine Development: creates vaccines using biotechnology techniques.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): crops with improved traits, such as pest resistance and drought tolerance.
Biofertilizers: microorganisms that fix nitrogen, solubilize phosphorus, or produce plant growth promoters.
Biopesticides: biological control agents, such as Bt toxin, to manage pests and diseases.

Bioremediation: uses microorganisms to clean pollutants from contaminated sites.
Biofuels: produces fuels from biomass using microorganisms or enzymatic processes.
Bioreactors: controlled environments for biological processes, such as wastewater treatment and biogas production.