Biotechnology – Principles and Processes

Introduction

In the process of biotechnology, enzymes or live organisms are used from the organisms themselves to result in products that are useful to humans and used to improve our lives on the planet. A few techniques like test-tube babies from in vitro fertilisation, gene synthesising, DNA vaccine development and defective gene correction are parts of Biotechnology. Biologically, microorganisms have been used for more than 5000 + years to make useful food products. Bread, cheese, and dairy products are the best examples of harnessing cellular and biomolecular processes. Biotechnology – Principles and Processes are helping the world in many aspects by harnessing the genetic makeup. 

Biotechnology

Biotechnology is the field of biology where technology is used and applied to the benefits of the health of humans. In the process of Biotechnology, beneficial products are produced, developed, and modified to cater to the needs of all living beings. Being the oldest industrial technology, it is still being used extensively, especially to empower research and development.

Principles Of Biotechnology

Biotechnology Principles and Processes that have originated the initiation of biotechnology are as follows:

• Genetic Engineering: Genetic engineering refers to altering genetic material and its introduction into a host organism to alter the host organism’s phenotype. Gene cloning is a technique involving gene clones to make identical copies of a particular DNA molecule. In the Recombinant DNA technology, DNA from two different organisms is combined to generate recombinant DNA and is then transferred to the host
• Chemical Engineering: As a result of biotechnology, the produced biochemical products have a much higher value. Biotechnology has deep roots of application in pharmaceuticals, which resulted in the development of qualitative and quantitative products. Vaccines, enzymes, and antibiotics are the best results of biotechnology in medications

Genetic Engineering & Techniques 

Genetic engineering is altering the DNA and genetic material in an organism’s genome. The techniques or the steps involved in Genetic engineering are as follows:

• The organism with the specific trait is located
• DNA is extracted
• The particular gene that controls the feature is cloned
• The gene is designed, transformed, and inserted in the cell of the specific crop plant. Transgene is crossed to facilitate backcross breeding 

Applications Of Biotechnology Principles And Processes

Several fields use biotechnology principles and processes to produce products that are essential for human welfare. The application of the biotechnology principles and processes are comprehensive and can be understood from follows:

• Biotechnology application in the field of Agriculture

The green revolution resulted from applying biotechnology principles and processes in the field of agriculture. Hence it resulted in organic agricultural practises, agrochemical-based agricultural practises, genetically engineered crop-based agricultural practises. Food production has been tripled as pest-resistant plants were introduced & genetically modified crops increased food production.

• Biotechnology application in the field of Medicine

Recombinant DNA technology resulted in the production of useful therapeutic drugs. Genetic engineering has facilitated the production of these drugs. For example, insulin has been modified genetically from Humulin. Genetic disorders in the embryo can be removed with gene therapy.

• Biotechnology application on the Animals

In genetic engineering, the altered gene has been inserted into the genome to develop transgenic animals. Transgenic animals have been mainly developed to understand the different types of diseases prevailing among animals, for testing the toxicity of the drugs before being used on animals, testing the protection given by the vaccines and studying the regulation of the genes.

• Biotechnology application in the field of Antibiotics

Plants have genes that help to manufacture the encoded proteins. Diseases like hepatitis, cholera, measles are treated with the help of vaccines, for which biotechnology has been the main reason. Antibiotics, vaccines, artificial hormones are produced from plants through the Biotechnology Principles and Processes.

Recombinant DNA Technology

Recombinant DNA technology is also called Genetic Engineering. In recombinant DNA, two DNA molecules from two different organisms are combined, which results in a new variant. In Recombinant DNA technology, DNA is isolated from the identified species. DNA is fragmented and litigated into the vector. This results in the recombinant DNA, which is transferred to the host. The nutrition value is retained in the transformed cells, and the desired product can be extracted.

DNA Cloning

In DNA cloning, duplicate, identical copies of a DNA piece such as a gene are made. The cloned DNA can be used to investigate the characteristics of the gene like size, tissue distribution, etc. In the process of DNA cloning, the target DNA is isolated and litigated into an appropriate cloning vector, and plasmids are transformed into bacteria or a suitable recombinant host to promote propagation. 

Conclusion

The principles of Biotechnology include the origin of replication of DNA, Cloning process, Plasmid, Antibiotic resistance gene, Vector Technology, restriction of enzymes method, and Ligase. All living organisms can be genetically modified with the introduction of Biotechnology. Biotechnology – Principles and Processes study material will enhance your knowledge about biological processes used in biotechnology and develop your learning practice. A wide range of valuable Biotechnology – Principles and Processes study material shall help you understand that Biotech uses biological processes to become microscopic manufacturing plants.