Now . . . What is Biotech?

WELCOME TO BIOTECH!

What is Biotechnology?

“Biotechnology” Definition

Study of living organisms and their parts as tools.

“Bio” - life

“ology” - study of

“technos” - tools (Greek)

NOTE: not just DNA

NOTE: its been around a really, really long time

Example #1 - FoodYogurt, Cheese, Bread, Wine, Beer

all made by using living organisms.

FoodCHEESE!!!

www.packertime.com

It’s not just for headwear anymore!!!

Living organism/part?What IS an enzyme???

Food

Yogurt!!

Living organism/part?Process?Product?

FoodBeer, Wine, Bread!!!

Living organism/part?Process?Product?

Example #2 – Traditional AgricultureAll of today’s crops, livestock, and pets were initially produced by selective breeding

Example #3 – Modern AgricultureUsing selected genes from a wide variety of organisms, crops and livestock can be geneticically-modified for:

- Increased yield

- Increased nutrition

- Better taste

-Decreased use of fertilizers and pesticides

Creating living, genetic copies of an organism

Example #4 – Cloning

Adult

Determining your DNA sequence to predict genetic traits you might possess or pass to your children.

Birth After conception

Example #5 – Genetic Testing

Changing your genes to eliminate a genetic disorder

Example #6 – Gene Therapy

Prescribing medication based on your DNA sequence

Example #7 – Pharmacogenomics

Genetically-engineered bacteria to produce human insulin

Example #8 – Drug production and discovery

Cancer medication from a fungus that lives in the Pacific Yew tree

Cells that have not become a specific cell type; used for replacing cells and studying how the body develops

Example #9 – Stem Cells

Using living organisms to remove toxins from soil, oil from oil-spills

Example #10 – Bioremediation

Using living organisms to make ethanol from cellulose (plant sugar).

Example #11 – Biofuel

Using living organisms instead of petroleum to create plastics and other chemicals.

= bio-derived chemicals

Example #12 – Feedstocks