Introduction to Biotechnology

INTRODUCTION TO BIOTECHNOLOGY

Unit C: Competency 7.00 – Explain the historical development of the biotechnology industry

BIOTECHNOLOGY What is biotechnology?

Root Words – Bio and Technology The use of living organisms and their cells to

solve problems or make useful products for the greater good of mankind and the environment

THE REVOLUTION? How long have living organisms

met our needs? For thousands of years through

sustenance and comfort : food, shelter, clothing, fuel

So what makes biotechnology different if it’s the use of living organisms to make life better? Modification of living organism and

their cells through technological advancements

WHEN DID THIS BEGIN? The Stone Age! (10,000 years ago)

When we domesticated plants and animals we inherently changed their genetics, how?

Selective Breeding – we took away their natural breeding procedures

8,000 Years Ago Our ancestors used bacteria, yeast and fungus,

how? Microbial fermentation where these microbes

converted grapes into wine, milk into cheese and yogurt, and grains into bread

WHAT ELSE DOES BIOTECHNOLOGY DO FOR US?

Virtually all antibiotics come from microbes Vitamins added to breakfast cereals Enzymes that convert cornstarch to high-

fructose corn syrup (which is in lots of products)

Farmers used microbes since the 19th century to control insect crop pests and inoculate nitrogen-fixing bacteria into soil to increase crop yield

Microbes used to treat sewage Certain vaccines come from live (weakened)

bacteria

THE HISTORY: PEOPLE Robert Hooke (1665)

Invented the compound light microscope First to observe cells in cork – first to really

apply the word “Cell” Sometimes called “The Father of Modern

Science”

THE HISTORY: PEOPLE Anton Van Leeuwenhoek (1675)

A Dutchman who is credited with the discovery of bacteria using a simple microscope

The “Father of Microscopy”

THE HISTORY: PEOPLE Gregor Mendel (1863)

Austrian Monk who conducted the first genetics experiments using pea plants

Considered the “Father of Genetics”

THE HISTORY: PEOPLE Louis Pasteur (1870s)

Disproved the notion of spontaneous generation

A hypothetical process that stated living matter could generate from nonliving matter “spontaneously”

Described the role of bacteria in spoilage and the science behind fermentation

Created the rabies vaccine

THE HISTORY: PEOPLE James Watson & Francis Crick (1953)

Englishman from Cambridge University and American from Chicago responsible for the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA

Used X-Ray photography to take pictures of the DNA structure

http://www.ted.com/talks/james_watson_on_how_he_discovered_dna.html

THE HISTORY: PEOPLE Paul Berg (1972)

Stanford University scientist First developed recombinant DNA

technology A method for insertion of genetic material from

one organism to another

INTRODUCTION TO BIOTECHNOLOGY

Unit C: Competency 7.02 – Discuss the Importance of the Biotechnology Industry

BIOTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY Industry Characteristics

Research is conducted by small companies, large corporations, and public universities

BIOTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY Industry Characteristics

Funding comes from a variety of sources including both public (government) and private (companies and foundations) sources

Example: California passed their own $300 billion referendum for research in stem cells in ‘04

Focuses on a variety of research areas including health/medicine, food science, environmental science, & Agriscience

BIOTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY Impact of the Biotechnology Industry

Genetically modified organisms are consumed by millions of people almost everyday

Almost 56% of all soybean plantings worldwide are genetically engineered (especially in the US)

BIOTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY Impact of the Biotechnology Industry

Genetically modified crops were produced on more than 167 million acres in 18 countries in 2003, a 15% increase from 2002

The US was the largest single producer with more than 60% of the total acreage in production

BIOTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY The NC Biotech Center predicts that the

biotechnology industry in the state will contribute more than $25 billion in annual income each year within the next 25 years

INTRODUCTION TO BIOTECHNOLOGY

Unit C: Competency 7.03: Examine the historical impact of biotechnology on the field of agriculture

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

1. (1750 BC – Early Civilizations) Origins of biotechnology emerge in methods of food production and plant and animal breeding –

1. Use of bacteria to produce cheese (food preservation)

2. Use of natural enzymes in yogurt3. The use of yeast in bread4. Process of fermentation to make wine and

beer

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

2. (1869) DNA is discovered in trout sperm by German, Friedrich Miescher

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

3. (1919) The word biotechnology is first used by a Hungarian agricultural engineer

4. (1940s-1950s) The race began amongst scientists to discover the structure of DNA

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

5. (1980) The U.S. Supreme Court Approves the patenting of genetically altered organisms

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

6. (1980s-1990s) A variety of Genetically modified Organisms (GMOs) and biotechnology techniques are introduced in fields of agriculture and medicine-Recombinant DNA technology – extracts DNA from one organism for use in another, allowing for more rapid and specific improvements in plants and animals

-Plant Tissue Culture – gains widespread acceptance as a method to quickly and cheaply produce genetically identical plants

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

7. (1990s) First transgenic organisms are introduced in widespread agricultural production, mainly in agronomy

-BT corn and soybeans are introduced offering an easier way for farmers to have insect resistance -A gene was taken from the Baccilus thuringensis bacterium and inserted into the corn-These gene contains an endotoxin that kills Lepidoptera larvae, which is the European Corn Borer

https://www.isaaa.org/resources/videos/mandy_fanny/default.asp

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

8. (1997) Dolly is the first animal to be cloned from diploid cells in Scotland

9. (90s-present) Human cloning is outlawed in the US and the first concerns over the use of human stem cells in research begin to arise