Biotechnology : Principles and Processes
According to the European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB), biotechnology is the integration of natural science and organisms, cells, parts thereof, and molecular analogues for products and services. It encompasses both the traditional view and modern molecular biotechnology. The name ‘Biotechnology’ was coined in 1919 by agricultural engineer Karoly Ereky, known as the Father of Biotechnology. It deals with the large-scale production and marketing of products and processes using live organisms, cells, or enzymes.
This Story also Contains
- Principles of Biotechnology
- Recombinant DNA technology
- Tools of Recombinant DNA Technology
- Biotechnology Process
- Recommended Video on Biotechnology Principles and Processes
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Biotechnology is defined as a wide field of biological science that utilises both the technology and the use of living organisms and their components in order to develop, manufacture and produce useful human welfare products. This article include Principles of Biotechnology, recombinant DNA technology process and tools. It explains series of processes relating to the application of technology to biological processes. This is an important chapter of Biology included in the class 12 syllabus.
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Principles of Biotechnology
According to modern Biotechnology, the basic principles of biotechnology are:
Genetic engineering is used to modify the DNA of a target organism, thereby altering the phenotype of an organism.
Bioprocess engineering is the maintenance of sterile conditions to support the growth of a large number of desirable cells used for the production of new or modified biotechnological products such as antibiotics, enzymes, vaccines, etc.
Feature | Genetic Engineering | Bioprocess Engineering |
Focus | Modifying DNA/RNA | Large-scale production using modified organisms |
Main Use | Changing genetic material | Producing products like vaccines, antibiotics |
Technique Involved | Gene isolation, insertion, and cloning | Sterilization, fermentation, scaling up |
Output | New genes or traits in an organism | A large quantity of useful biological products |
Recombinant DNA technology
Recombinant DNA technology is also known as Genetic Engineering. It is the process of assembling two DNA molecules from two different sources. This is known as DNA recombinant.
The steps involved in the Recombinant DNA technology processes are:
Isolation of a DNA fragment
DNA cutting using restriction endonuclease
Amplification of DNA using PCR
Insertion of the desired DNA fragment into the vector
Transformation of the DNA recombinant into the host
Obtaining the foreign gene product
1. DNA Cloning
DNA cloning is the process of making many identical copies of a piece of DNA. This process requires cloning vectors with the following structures:
It should be small in size but capable of carrying large DNA.
The cloning vector must be able to replicate automatically in the host cell.
It should have at least one restriction site.
It must contain antibiotic resistance to filter recombinant organisms.
2. Bioreactor
A bioreactor is a large vessel or tank in which microorganisms or cells are grown under controlled conditions to produce useful biological products like enzymes, vaccines, or antibiotics. It provides an ideal environment by maintaining factors like temperature, pH, oxygen, and nutrient supply. They are commonly used in industries for large-scale production using genetically modified organisms.
Tools of Recombinant DNA Technology
Genetic engineering or recombinant DNA technology can be achieved when we have the key tools, i.e., restriction enzymes, polymerase enzymes, ligases, vectors, and the host organism.
1. Restriction Enzymes
Restriction enzymes, or restriction endonucleases, are enzymes that cut DNA at specific palindromic sequences. They produce either blunt or sticky ends, which are useful for inserting genes into vectors. Found naturally in bacteria, these enzymes help in isolating and cutting DNA at specific sites for genetic engineering.
2. Cloning Vectors
Vectors are DNA molecules that are used to transfer foreign DNA into host cells. Plasmids and bacteriophages are common examples. An ideal cloning vector has an origin of replication, selectable markers (like antibiotic resistance genes), and restriction sites to insert the gene of interest vectors helping in the replication and maintenance of recombinant DNA host cells.
3. Competent Host (For Transformation with Recombinant DNA)
A competent host is a cell that can take up foreign DNA. Bacteria like E. coli are made competent using methods like calcium chloride treatment or electroporation. Once inside, the recombinant DNA replicates and expresses the desired gene, enabling the production of useful proteins.
Biotechnology Process
Biotechnology is a series of processes relating to the application of technology to biological processes that occur in or under specific conditions to transform a process into a specific application.
It is one of the oldest industrial technologies ever recorded. For example, one of the biotechnological methods is the use of fermentation in alcohol production. In recent times, it has grown and developed into genomics, using immunology, genetic engineering, medicine, and more, with its work extending to major fields such as agriculture, genetic engineering, medicine, etc. It is also widely used in bioinformatics to explore the field of research and development, as well as to produce an extract from living organisms through biochemical engineering.
Over time, biotechnology became more complex from traditional to advanced modern processes, such as:
Protein engineering - Designing or modifying proteins to enhance their function or stability.
DNA modification - Altering the genetic material (DNA) to insert, delete, or change specific genes.
Enzymes Inactivation - Loss of enzyme activity due to factors like heat, pH, or inhibitors, making it non-functional.
Tissue culture - Growing cells or tissues in a nutrient-rich medium under sterile conditions.
Protoplast integration - Fusing two plant cells without cell walls to create a hybrid with combined traits.
Other Useful Resources:
Recommended Video on Biotechnology Principles and Processes
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Biotechnological processes promote microorganisms' ability to produce complex molecules that are difficult to produce by traditional chemical synthesis, besides also promote a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative.
Biotechnology is defined as a comprehensive field of biological science that utilises both the technology and the use of living organisms and their components in order to develop, manufacture and produce useful human welfare products. The name ‘Biotechnology’ was coined in 1919 by agricultural engineer Karoly Ereky, hence the name Biotechnology father.
Principles of Biotechnology
According to modern Biotechnology, the basic principles of Biotechnology are:
Genetic engineering, is used to modify the DNA of a target organism, thereby altering the phenotype of an organism.
Bioprocess engineering, is the maintenance of sterile conditions to support the growth of a large number of desirable bacteria and other eukaryotic cells used for the production of new or modified biotechnological products such as antibiotics, enzymes, vaccines, etc.
The five steps of the biotechnology process are:
- Isolation of DNA - Extracting DNA from the source organism.
- Cutting DNA - Using restriction enzymes to cut DNA at specific sites.
- Insertion into Vector - Inserting the desired DNA fragment into a vector (like a plasmid).
- Introduction to Host - Introducing the recombinant DNA into host cells (e.g., bacteria).
- Selection and Cloning - Selecting transformed cells and cloning them to produce multiple copies.
In the chromosome, certain sequences are responsible for initiating replication called ‘the origin of replication. In biotechnology, in order to replicate any foreign DNA fragment that carries an interesting gene into an organism, the DNA fragment must be linked to a chromosome component that contains that specific DNA sequence, or the origin of duplication. Only then, the external DNA will be able to replicate and replicate in that host body.
DNA Recombinant technology is a process that alters the phenotype of an organism by introducing and incorporating a genetically modified vector into its genome. In other words, this method introduces the outer part of the DNA that contains a gene that is interested in the genome that it wants to modify. The gene that we present is called the recombinant gene and the method is called recombinant DNA technology. This process involves a number of steps, tools and techniques.
Biotech or biotechnology is a series of biographies relating to the application of technology to biological processes that occur in or under subsistence companies in order to transform a process into a specific application.
And it is one of the oldest industrial technologies ever recorded. For example, one of the biotechnological methods is the use of fermentation in alcohol production. In recent times it has grown and developed into genomics, using immunology, genetic engineering, medicine and more with its work extending to major fields such as - agriculture, genetic engineering, medicine etc. It is also widely used in bioinformatics to explore the field of research and development as well as to produce an extract from living organisms through biochemical engineering.
Over time, biotechnology became more complex from archaic to advanced processes such as:
- Protein engineering
- DNA modification
- Enzymes do not work
- Tissue culture
- Cell catalysis
- Protoplast integration
Bioprocess engineering is cell duplication in bioreactors. A large amount of culture is achieved through a process that produces a high yield of the required protein. Available products are subject to a series of procedures. The products are cleaned by river processing and are subject to quality inspection prior to further testing. This procedure is used to make antibiotics, vaccines and other treatments.
