Introduction to Biotechnology

Introduction to Biotechnology

• Biotechnology uses living organisms, cells, or biological systems for products or processes benefiting society
• Biotechnology combines biology with technology to solve problems and create medicines, food, and environmental solutions

History of Biotechnology

Ancient Biotechnology

• Fermentation (7000-6000 BCE) was used by ancient civilizations to make alcoholic beverages like beer and wine and preserve food like pickling
• Selective Breeding (10,000 BCE) was an early form of genetic manipulation to pass desired traits to future generations

17th-19th Century

• Microscopy (1600s) allowed scientists to observe microorganisms for the first time, which laid groundwork for microbiology and biotechnology
• Germ Theory of Disease (1860s-1880s), developed by Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch, revolutionized medicine which led to advancements in microbiology
• Pasteur also developed pasteurization to improve food safety
• Gregor Mendel's Genetics (1866) led to the discovery of the basic principles of inheritance, which established genetics

Early 20th Century

• Discovery of DNA (1920s) by Frederick Griffith and Oswald Avery identified DNA as the material responsible for heredity
• Development of Antibiotics (1928) with Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin marked the beginning of the antibiotic era

Mid-20th Century

• Structure of DNA (1953) was discovered by James Watson and Francis Crick, with help from Rosalind Franklin, which influenced genetic engineering, cloning, and gene therapy
• Recombinant DNA (1970s) technology invented by Paul Berg, Herbert Boyer, and Stanley Cohen allowed scientists to manipulate genes by combining DNA from different species and gave birth to modern genetic engineering

1970s-1980s: The Rise of Modern Biotechnology

• First Recombinant Organism (1973) by scientists Boyer and Cohen created the first recombinant organism by inserting foreign DNA into a bacterium
• Insulin Production (1982) by Genentech produced the first synthetic human insulin using genetically modified bacteria was first commercial uses of genetic engineering in medicine
• Monoclonal Antibodies (1975) were developed by Georges Köhler and César Milstein which became a cornerstone for therapeutic treatments, diagnostics, and cancer therapies

1990s: The Human Genome Project and Genomic Medicine

• Human Genome Project (1990–2003) was an international project that mapped the entire human genome, identifying genes responsible for traits and diseases, which paved the way for precision medicine and personalized health care
• Gene Therapy Trials (1990s) began to treat genetic disorders by inserting healthy genes into patients' cells
• Transgenic Organisms (1994) was the first genetically modified (GM) crops that were introduced, such as Bt corn and Roundup Ready soybeans, modified for pest resistance and herbicide tolerance

21st Century

• CRISPR-Cas9 (2012), developed by Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier, revolutionized gene editing and is precise

Current and Future Trends

• Gene Editing and Therapy utilizes CRISPR, biotechnology is now at the forefront of allowing for treatments of previously untreatable genetic diseases
• Bioinformatics' rise of big data and AI has allowed for advancements in genomics, drug discovery, and disease diagnostics
• Sustainable Biotechnology focuses on using biotechnology for environmental purposes, such as bio-remediation, reducing carbon footprints, and developing bio-based plastics and biofuels

Types of Biotechnology

• Red Biotechnology (Medical Biotechnology) focuses on developing medicines, vaccines, and therapies using biotechnology
• Green Biotechnology (Agricultural Biotechnology) focuses on using biotechnology to improve agricultural practices and produce genetically modified crops
• White Biotechnology (Industrial Biotechnology) uses microorganisms and enzymes for producing biofuels and biodegradable plastics
• Blue Biotechnology (Marine Biotechnology) involves using marine organisms for medicine, agriculture, and industry

Applications of Biotechnology

Healthcare

• Gene Therapy replaces faulty genes with healthy ones to treat genetic disorders
• Recombinant Proteins produces human proteins like insulin using bacteria or yeast
• Vaccines are created using biotechnology for diseases like COVID-19

Agriculture

• Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) involves engineering crops to be resistant to pests, tolerate herbicides, or increase nutritional value
• Agri-biotech Products include insect-resistant cotton or drought-tolerant maize

Environmental

• Bioremediation uses microorganisms to break down pollutants
• Biofuels creates renewable energy sources

Industrial

• Biocatalysts uses enzymes to speed up chemical reactions, reducing waste and energy consumption
• Biodegradable Plastics are developed to break down more easily

Agricultural Biotechnology

Definition

• Agricultural biotechnology applies biotech tools/techniques to improve crop/livestock quality, yield, and sustainability through genetic engineering, molecular markers, tissue culture, etc.

Key Technologies

• Genetic Engineering and GMOs alters organisms’ genetic material for pest resistance or improved nutrition, examples are Bt Crops, Herbicide-Resistant Crops, and Golden Rice
• Molecular Markers uses specific DNA sequences that are associated with certain traits in plants/animals to allow scientists to identify desirable traits in crops speeding up process
• Tissue Culture and Cloning involves growing plant cells in a lab to mass produce genetically identical plants (i.e., cloning banana plants)
• Gene Editing (CRISPR) allows scientists to precisely "cut and paste" DNA to enhance crop drought tolerance or nutritional content

Benefits

• Biotechniques increase productivity of crops,
• Drought-resistant crops help regions with water scarcity with Pest and Disease Resistance
• Reducing pesticides improves environmental/overall health
• Biotechnology enhances the nutritional profile of crops
• Herbicide-tolerant/GM crops reduce harmful chemicals/tilling
• Biotechnology reduces post-harvest losses via spoilage/disease resistance

Challenges/Concerns

• GMOs and Human Health safety concerns despite evidence of safe consumption
• GMOs Risk crossbreeding with wild plants, leading to ecological consequences/biodiversity loss
• Corporate Control is a few large corporations control majority of GMO seeds, causing monopolization of food production for small-scale farmers
• Resistance to Adoption derives from cultural, political, or religious reasons
• Public perception/misconceptions affects policies and GMO acceptance
• Governments/international orgs is needed to develop safe GMO regulations

Biotechnology in the Philippines

Key Focus Areas

• Agricultural Biotechnology enhances crop yields and pest resistance for food security
• Medical Biotechnology is focused on developing vaccines, pharmaceuticals, and treatments for diseases
• Environmental Biotechnology addresses environmental issues

Developments and Milestones

• 1970s began biotechnology to combat food shortages
• 1980s established institutions
• 1990s grew research in GMO and Genetic Engineering:
• 2000s Expanded regulations for GMOs
• Biosafety Law addressed ethical concerns
• 2010s Progressed in agricultural biotechnology

Key Contributions of Filipino Scientists

• Ramon C. Barba improved mango yields/harvest with biotechnology
• Emil Q Javier promoted ag biotechnology and GMO research
• Agricultural Scientists contributed to global biotechnology, locally relevant solutions for pests, diseases, and improving crop yields

Applications

• Agriculture- Bacillus in Philippine corns reduces pesticides, genetically modified rice enhances vitamin A
• Develop vaccines for tuberculosis

Biotech challenges

• Public perception with objections to GMOs
• Opportunities to become a leader through addressing issues and creating jobs