Biotechnology Overview and History

Biotechnology

• Biotechnology is the combination of biology and technology.
• It uses biological organisms, systems, or processes for industrial and human benefit.
• It involves the controlled use of biological agents like microorganisms or cell components, applied in manufacturing and service industries.
• It's a combination of biochemistry, microbiology, and engineering for technological applications of microorganisms and cultured cells.
• Biotechnology modifies genetic structures in animals and plants for desired outcomes.

History of Biotechnology

• People used biotechnology techniques long before giving it a name.
• Hungarian engineer Karoly Ereky coined the term "biotechnology" in 1919.
• Ancient Egyptians used fermentation for various purposes, including bread making, and breeding animals for nutrition.
• Recombinant DNA technology extracts DNA to be used in other organisms, improving agricultural yields and animals.
• Plant tissue culture became a standard method to quickly and cheaply create genetically similar plants.

Milestones in Biotechnology

• 1869: German scientist Miescher discovered DNA in trout sperm.
• 1919: Karoly Ereky coined the term "biotechnology."
• 1940s-1950s: Research into the structure and functions of DNA intensified.
• 1980: The U.S. Supreme Court approved patenting genetically modified organisms.
• 1980s-1990s: GMOs and biotechnology spread into agriculture and medicine.
• 1990s: Transgenic organisms (GMOs) became widely used in agriculture.
• 1997: Dolly the sheep became the first mammal cloned from diploid cells.
• 1990s-2000s: Ethical concerns regarding human cloning and stem cell research arose in the U.S.

Pioneers in Biotechnology

• Robert Hooke invented the compound light microscope.
• Anton van Leeuwenhoek discovered bacteria using a simple microscope.
• Gregor Mendel's work founded genetics, particularly studying pea plants.
• Louis Pasteur disproved spontaneous generation and created a rabies vaccine.
• James Watson and Francis Crick discovered the structure of DNA through X-ray photography.
• Paul Berg created recombinant DNA technology.

Climate Change

• Climate change is caused by greenhouse gas buildup in the atmosphere.
• Manmade activities exacerbate this build-up.
• To maintain Earth's temperature, incoming radiation must equal outgoing radiation.
• Climate change impacts in some areas of the Philippines include a less reliance on hydroelectricity and concerns about disease vectors.

The Science of Climate Change

• Many climate change impacts aren’t apparent in the region.
• Regional weather patterns often stabilize climate systems
• CO2 favors crop growth, yet weeds may also grow more readily.

Downstream Effects of Climate Change

• Effects of climate change on different areas or systems
• Agriculture suffers from fluctuations in rainfall and excessive or insufficient rain.
• Forests shrink and dry due to warming, causing habitat destruction and species loss.
• Health problems worsen with the spread of disease vectors and displacement.
• Water resources face salinity intrusion problems due to sea level rise.
• Marine life struggles with warmer waters and higher CO2, affecting shell and bone formation.

Explore the fascinating world of biotechnology, where biology meets technology for industrial and human advancement. Discover the historical roots of biotechnology, from ancient practices to modern techniques like recombinant DNA technology and plant tissue culture. This quiz will test your knowledge of key concepts and milestones that have shaped the field of biotechnology.