Biotechnology Overview

Biotechnology

• Biotechnology utilizes biological systems, organisms, or derivatives thereof, to develop or make products, or any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof.
• It encompasses a wide range of disciplines, including genetic engineering, cell culture, and bioremediation.
• Applications of biotechnology span various sectors, such as medicine, agriculture, and industry.
• Genetic engineering involves manipulating an organism's genes to introduce new traits or modify existing ones, often by inserting foreign DNA into the host organism's genome, with potential to enhance crops, develop pharmaceuticals, or provide gene therapy.
• Recombinant DNA technology is central to genetic engineering, allowing scientists to combine DNA fragments from different sources.
• Tools for biotechnology include restriction enzymes that cut DNA at specific sequences, plasmids that serve as vectors to carry foreign DNA into host organisms, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify DNA sequences.
• Cell cultures can be used to produce specific proteins and pharmaceuticals.
• Bioremediation utilizes microorganisms to clean up pollutants or contaminants in the environment.
• Advantages include enhanced crop yields, improved disease resistance, and cost-effectiveness in some industrial processes.
• Applications in medicine include the production of hormones, antibiotics, and vaccines.
• Ethical concerns regarding genetically modified organisms (GMOs) include potential impacts on biodiversity, health risks, and socio-economic implications.

Immunology

• Immunology is the study of the immune system's response to foreign substances, such as microorganisms and toxins.
• The immune system comprises different cell types and molecules that cooperate to identify and eliminate pathogens.
• The immune response involves recognition of self vs. non-self, allowing the system to target invaders while avoiding harm to the host.
• Innate immunity is the body's first line of defense, providing rapid non-specific responses to pathogens.
• Key components include physical barriers, such as skin and mucous membranes, and cellular defenses like phagocytes.
• Adaptive immunity is a specific and targeted response that develops over time through exposure to various pathogens.
• Lymphocytes, particularly T cells and B cells, are involved in adaptive immunity.
• T cells and B cells recognize specific antigens of pathogens and mount a targeted attack.
• Antibodies, produced by B cells, bind to antigens and neutralize or eliminate pathogens.
• Vaccines stimulate adaptive immunity by exposing the body to weakened or inactive forms of pathogens.
• Vaccination generates immunological memory, equipping the body to respond more effectively to future encounters with the same pathogen.
• Immunodeficiency disorders occur when the immune system's ability to fight off pathogens is compromised.
• Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues, leading to chronic inflammation and damage.
• Allergic reactions are heightened immune responses to harmless substances, leading to symptoms like inflammation and swelling.
• Immunological tolerance involves mechanisms that prevent the immune system from attacking the body's own cells, contributing to overall health.
• Immunotherapy leverages the principles of immunology to treat diseases, such as cancer, with the aim of boosting the immune response against tumor cells.