History of Biotechnology

Introduction to Biotechnology

• The term 'biotechnology' was introduced by Karl Ereky in 1919.

Aims and Focus of Biotechnology

• Biotechnology primarily aims to provide innovative products, technologies, and services that improve human life and the health of the planet.
• The primary focus of biotechnology is to develop new products, technologies, and services that improve human life and the health of the planet.

Traditional Biotechnology

• Traditional biotechnology mainly involves the use of microorganisms, such as yeast and bacteria, to produce food products like cheese, bread, and wine.

Modern Biotechnology

• Modern biotechnology emerged as a new discipline of biology integrating with technology in the 1970s and 1980s.
• Modern biotechnology is mainly focused on the use of recombinant DNA technology, genetic engineering, and other advanced technologies.

Bioinformatics

• Bioinformatics is the field that addresses biological problems using computational techniques.
• Bioinformatics is also referred to as computational biology.
• The key role of bioinformatics is to develop and apply computational tools to analyze and interpret large amounts of biological data.

Branches of Biotechnology

• Blue biotechnology is associated with the marine and aquatic applications of biotechnology.
• White biotechnology focuses on the development of novel, more efficient, and sustainable industrial processes.
• Red biotechnology primarily focuses on medical applications, such as the development of novel medicines and therapies.
• Green biotechnology primarily focuses on the development of new crop varieties and improved agricultural practices.

Genetic Engineering

• Genetic engineering technology allows the engineering of microbes, plants, and animals with novel capabilities.
• Genetic engineering is a key aspect of modern biotechnology.