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Microbial Biotechnology
Agricultural Biotechnology
Animal Biotechnology
Forensic Biotechnology
Bioremediation
Aquatic Biotechnology
Medical Biotechnology
Regulatory Biotechnology

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Microbial Biotechnology – manipulation of microorganisms such as yeast and bacteria
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Create better enzymes
More efficient decontamination processes for industrial waste product removal
Used to clone and produce large amounts of important proteins used in human medicine
Aspergillus niger
Saccharomyces cerevisae

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Agricultural Biotechnology
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Genetically engineered, pest-resistant plants
Foods with higher protein or vitamin content
Drugs developed and grown as plant products

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Animal Biotechnology
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Animals as a source of medically valuable proteins
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Antibodies
Animals as important models in basic research
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Gene “knockout” experiments
Design and testing of drugs and genetic therapies
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Animal cloning
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Source of transplant organs

1. Cloning requires an egg cell, and an adult donor cell. The
(unwanted) chromosomes are removed from the egg cell and discarded. The nucleus, containing the DNA to be cloned, is removed from the donor cell.
2. The donor nucleus is inserted into the empty egg cell, a process called somatic cell nuclear transfer
(SCNT). Afterwards the egg contains a full (adult) set of chromosomes as if it had been fertilised normally.
3. A pulse of electricity, or a chemical 'shock', kick-starts the development process, and the embryo begins to grow.
4. Cell division begins. The subsequent development of the embryo depends upon how successfully the donor nucleus has
're-programmed' the egg.

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Forensic Biotechnology
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DNA fingerprinting
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Inclusion or exclusion of a person from suspicion
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Paternity cases
Identification of human remains
Endangered species
Tracking and confirmation of the spread of disease

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Bioremediation
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The use of biotechnology to process and degrade a variety of natural and manmade substances
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Particularly those that contribute to pollution
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For example, bacteria that degrade components in crude oil
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1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska

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Aquatic Biotechnology
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Aquaculture – raising finfish or shellfish in controlled conditions for use as food sources
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30% of all fish consumed by humans worldwide
Genetic engineering
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Disease-resistant strains of oysters
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Vaccines against viruses that infect salmon and other finfish
Rich and valuable sources of new genes, proteins and metabolic processes with important applications for human benefits
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Marine plankton and snails found to be rich sources of antitumor and anticancer molecules

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Medical Biotechnology
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Involved with the whole spectrum of human medicine
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Preventive medicine
Diagnosis of health and illness
Treatment of human diseases
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New information from Human Genome Project
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Gene therapy
Stem cell technologies

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Medical Biotechnology

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Regulatory Biotechnology
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Quality Assurance (QA)
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All activities involved in regulating the final quality of a product
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Quality Control (QC)
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Part of QA process that involves lab testing and monitoring of processes and applications to ensure consistent product standards

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How will medical biotechnology change our lives in the years ahead?
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Human Genome Project
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Research on the function of human genes and controlling factors that regulate genes
Human proteome
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Collection of proteins responsible for activity in a human cell

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How will medical biotechnology change our lives in the years ahead?
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Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs)
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Single nucleotide changes (mutations) in DNA sequences that vary from individual to individual
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These variations influence how we respond to stress and disease and are the cause of genetic diseases
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Arthritis, stroke, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and behavioral and emotional illnesses

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How will medical biotechnology change our lives in the years ahead?
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Pharmacogenomics is customized medicine
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Tailor-designing drug therapy and treatment strategies based on the genetic profile of a patient
Metabolomics
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A snapshot of the small molecules produced during cellular metabolism
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Glucose, cholesterol, ATP, and signaling molecules

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How will medical biotechnology change our lives in the years ahead?
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Nanotechnology
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Applications that incorporate extremely small devices
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Small particles that can deliver drugs to cells

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How will medical biotechnology change our lives in the years ahead?
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Regenerative medicine
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Genetically modifying stem cells of patients to treat genetic disease conditions

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Biotechnology is a global industry
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Generates more than $63 billion in worldwide revenues
$40 billion in sales of biological drugs in the
United
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Jobs in Biotechnology
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Research and development
Operations, biomanufacturing and production
Bioinformatics
Quality assurance and quality control
Clinical research and regulatory affairs
Marketing, sales, finance, legal