The Development of Molecular Biotechnology

Ancient History of Biotechnology

Biotechnology is...Concerned with the

production of commercial products generated by the metabolic action of micro-organisms.

The application of scientific and engineering principles to the processing of material by biological agents to provide good and services.

Biotechnology is... “the industrial production

of goods and services by processes using biological organisms, systems, and processes,” and it has been firmly grounded in expertise in microbiology, biochemistry, and chemical engineering.

Principal steps of a bioengineered biotechnology process.• Upstream processing• Fermentation and transformation• Downstream processing

Mutagenesis is employed to enhance product yields focused on creating mutants by using chemical mutagens or UV radiation.

Limitation of Mutagenesis• If a mutated strain overly synthesized a compound, other metabolic functions often were impaired.• The growth during large-scale fermentation is decreased.• The process was tedious and time-consuming, and costly. The large numbers of colonies had to be selected, screen, and tested.• It was the improvement of an existing inherited properties rather than the expansion of its genetic capabilities.

Molecular Biotechnology

It is an exciting scientific discipline that is based on the ability of transferring specific units of genetic information from one organism to another

Modern Biotechnology

...the deliberate manipulation of DNA molecules to produce commercial products from living organisms.

This process, called genetic engineering or recombinant DNA technology, is an important aspect of biotechnology.

Biological Revolution!

Modern Biotechnology

Bacteria are the workhorses of modern biotechnology.

To work with genes in the laboratory, biologists often use bacterial plasmids.Plasmids are small, circular DNA molecules that are separate

from the much larger bacterial chromosome.

Recombinant DNA Techniques

Plasmids can easily incorporate foreign DNA.Plasmids are readily taken up by bacterial

cells.Plasmids then act as vectors, DNA carriers that

move genes from one cell to another.

Many scientific disciplines contribute to molecular biotechnology, generating a wide range of commercial products.

Biotechnology’s ImpactHuman HealthVeterinary Medicine, Animal Science, and Livestock

productionAgriculture and Plant ScienceEducationLaw EnforcementBiotechnology ProductsWaste ManagementEnergy Production

In 1982, the world’s first genetically engineered pharmaceutical product was produced.Humulin, human insulin, was produced by

genetically modified bacteria. Humilin was the first recombinant DNA drug approved by the FDA.

Corn has been genetically modified to resist insect infestation.This corn has been damaged by the European corn

borer.Bacillus thuringiensis, Bt – toxin gene.Less pesticides used.Soybean, cotton, and potatoes.

“Golden rice” has been genetically modified to contain beta-carotene.Our bodies use beta-carotene to make vitamin A.

While transgenic plants are used today as commercial products, transgenic whole animals are currently only in the testing phase.

These transgenic sheep carry a gene for a human blood protein. This protein may help in the treatment of cystic fibrosis. In 2009, FDA approves first drug produced in a genetically

engineered goat.

Farm and “Pharm” Animals

Biotechnology’s Impact Law Enforcement

- “DNA Detective”

DNA technology has rapidly revolutionized the field of forensics.Forensics is the scientific analysis of evidence from

crime scenes.DNA fingerprinting can be used to determine

whether or not two samples of genetic material are from a particular individual.

DNA Fingerprinting and Forensic Science

• How do you prove that two samples of DNA come from the same person?

• Scientists use STR analysis to compare the number of repeats between different samples of DNA.

• Short tandem repeats (STRs)

– Are repetitive sequences of DNA that are repeated various times in the genome.

Short Tandem Repeat (STR) Analysis

Short Tandem Repeat (STR) Analysis

The DNA fragments are visualized as “bands” on the gel.The bands of different DNA samples can then be

compared.

Figure 12.14

Gel ElectrophoresisCan be used to separate the DNA fragments

obtained from different sources.

Figure 12.12

Concerns and Consequences

Molecular biotechnology can contribute benefits to humanity:Provide diagnosis, prevent, or cure a wide range of

infectious and genetic diseases. Increase crop yields and quality, minimizing applications of

hazardous agrichemicals.Develop microorganisms that will produce chemicals,

antibiotics, polymers, amino acids, enzymes, and various food additives.

Develop livestock and other animals that have genetically enhanced attributes.

Facilitate the removal of pollutants and waste materials from the environment.

Provide “green” energy.

Concerns and Consequences

Social concerns and consequences that must be addressed:Will some genetically engineered organisms be

harmful either to other organisms or to the environment?

Crops carrying genes from other species might harm the environment.

GM foods could be hazardous to human health.Transgenic plants might pass their genes to close

relatives in nearby wild areas.

Concerns and Consequences

Social concerns and consequences that must be addressed:Will the development and use of genetically engineered

organisms reduce natural genetic diversity?Should humans be genetically engineered?

Genetic engineering of gametes and zygotes has been accomplished in lab animals.Should we try to eliminate genetic defects in our children?Should we interfere with evolution in this way?Should genetically engineered human growth hormone be

used to stimulate growth in HGH-deficient children?

Concerns and Consequences

Social concerns and consequences that must be addressed:Will new diagnostic procedures undermine individual

privacy? Advances in genetic fingerprinting raise privacy issues.What about the information obtained in the Human

Genome Project?How do we prevent genetic information from being used in

a discriminatory manner?

Concerns and Consequences

Social concerns and consequences that must be addressed:Will medical therapies based on molecular

biotechnology superseded equally effective traditional treatments?

Will the quest for patents inhibit the free exchange of ideas among research scientists.

Concerns and Consequences

Social concerns and consequences that must be addressed:Will financial support for molecular biotechnology

constrain the development of other important technologies?

Will the emphasis on commercial success mean that the benefits of molecular biotechnology will be available only to wealthy nations?

Will agricultural molecular biotechnology undermine traditional farming practices?

Concerns and Consequences

Strict laboratory safety procedures have been designed to protect researchers from infection by engineered microbes.Procedures have also been designed to prevent microbes

from accidentally leaving the laboratory.

Concerns and Consequences

Negotiators from 130 countries (including the United States) agreed on a Biosafety Protocol.The protocol requires exporters to identify GM organisms

present in bulk food shipments.Several U.S. regulatory agencies evaluate

biotechnology projects for potential risks:Department of AgricultureFood and Drug AdministrationEnvironmental Protection AgencyNational Institutes of Health

Concerns and Consequences