Handouts:
Introductory
Biotechnology.
BSIB-115.
References:
Walker P.M.B. (ed.) (1992).
Chambers Science and Technology Dictionary, Chambers, Edinburgh.
An Introduction to Biotechnology.
(AMGEN, Pioneering science delivers vital medicines)
BSIB-115 Introductory Biotechnology
, INTRODUCTION TO BIOTECHNOLOGY
The Chambers Science and Technology Dictionary defines biotechnology as ‘the use of organisms or
their components in industrial or commercial processes, which can be aided by the techniques of genetic
manipulation in developing e.g. novel plants for agriculture or industry.’ Despite the inclusiveness of this
definition, the biotechnology sector is still often seen as largely medical or pharmaceutical in nature,
particularly amongst the general public.
Categorization:
The field of Biotechnology is divided into four major fields. The White or Industrial Biotechnology is mostly
concerned with its applications in the industries. The Red or Medical Biotechnology is concerned with
clinical practices. The Green or Agricultural Biotechnology have got its application in the field of
agriculture and Blue or Marine Biotechnology deals with the study of aquatic life.
HOW BIOLOGY DRIVES BIOTECHNOLOGY
Understanding Disease Mechanisms
Biotechnology medicines are often created specifically to address a particular disease
mechanism. To design and develop new drugs, researchers must understand the disease mechanisms
involved. Some initial questions researchers ask to understand the underlying mechanisms of a disease
are: How does a person get the disease? Which cells become diseased? Is this disease caused by
genetics, and if so, what genes are turned on or turned off in the diseased cells? What proteins are
produced—or not produced—in diseased cells as compared to healthy cells? If the disease is caused by
a pathogen, what is the interaction between the pathogen and the person? Studying disease
mechanisms provides researchers with information that can lead them to identify targets for the early
stages of the drug discovery process. An understanding of fundamental biology may lead to effective
therapies for patients.
Take treatments available for autoimmune disorders, for example. Autoimmune disorders occur
when a person’s immune system overreacts and attacks proteins, cells and tissues in the body, often
leading to inflammation. Biologists have learned that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) plays a major role in
regulating inflammation. Researchers know that too much TNF is produced in autoimmune disorders such
as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.
When too much TNF is produced, excessive inflammation occurs—and that can be damaging to joints,
skin and other parts of the body. Biotechnology companies have worked to develop medicines that inhibit
the activity of TNF.
Models for Studying Disease
Researchers often take several different approaches to creating models for studying a particular disease.
One approach is to obtain samples of diseased cells and healthy cells and grow them using a method
called cell culture. This calls for cells to be incubated and fed with specialized growth media. In culture,
the cells do what cells do—divide and express genes to produce proteins. By studying how cellular
processes differ between healthy and diseased cells, researchers hope to come to understand the
mechanism of disease. Another approach involves studying shared or similar genes and protein
equivalents in other species. Since all organisms are made of cells and all cells perform many similar
functions, genes and proteins found in humans are also found in other organisms.
The functions of human genes have been revealed by studying parallel genes in nonhumans. This
approach has added to our understanding of how specific genes and proteins direct the functioning of
human cells—both healthy and diseased.
BSIB-115 Introductory Biotechnology
Introductory
Biotechnology.
BSIB-115.
References:
Walker P.M.B. (ed.) (1992).
Chambers Science and Technology Dictionary, Chambers, Edinburgh.
An Introduction to Biotechnology.
(AMGEN, Pioneering science delivers vital medicines)
BSIB-115 Introductory Biotechnology
, INTRODUCTION TO BIOTECHNOLOGY
The Chambers Science and Technology Dictionary defines biotechnology as ‘the use of organisms or
their components in industrial or commercial processes, which can be aided by the techniques of genetic
manipulation in developing e.g. novel plants for agriculture or industry.’ Despite the inclusiveness of this
definition, the biotechnology sector is still often seen as largely medical or pharmaceutical in nature,
particularly amongst the general public.
Categorization:
The field of Biotechnology is divided into four major fields. The White or Industrial Biotechnology is mostly
concerned with its applications in the industries. The Red or Medical Biotechnology is concerned with
clinical practices. The Green or Agricultural Biotechnology have got its application in the field of
agriculture and Blue or Marine Biotechnology deals with the study of aquatic life.
HOW BIOLOGY DRIVES BIOTECHNOLOGY
Understanding Disease Mechanisms
Biotechnology medicines are often created specifically to address a particular disease
mechanism. To design and develop new drugs, researchers must understand the disease mechanisms
involved. Some initial questions researchers ask to understand the underlying mechanisms of a disease
are: How does a person get the disease? Which cells become diseased? Is this disease caused by
genetics, and if so, what genes are turned on or turned off in the diseased cells? What proteins are
produced—or not produced—in diseased cells as compared to healthy cells? If the disease is caused by
a pathogen, what is the interaction between the pathogen and the person? Studying disease
mechanisms provides researchers with information that can lead them to identify targets for the early
stages of the drug discovery process. An understanding of fundamental biology may lead to effective
therapies for patients.
Take treatments available for autoimmune disorders, for example. Autoimmune disorders occur
when a person’s immune system overreacts and attacks proteins, cells and tissues in the body, often
leading to inflammation. Biologists have learned that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) plays a major role in
regulating inflammation. Researchers know that too much TNF is produced in autoimmune disorders such
as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.
When too much TNF is produced, excessive inflammation occurs—and that can be damaging to joints,
skin and other parts of the body. Biotechnology companies have worked to develop medicines that inhibit
the activity of TNF.
Models for Studying Disease
Researchers often take several different approaches to creating models for studying a particular disease.
One approach is to obtain samples of diseased cells and healthy cells and grow them using a method
called cell culture. This calls for cells to be incubated and fed with specialized growth media. In culture,
the cells do what cells do—divide and express genes to produce proteins. By studying how cellular
processes differ between healthy and diseased cells, researchers hope to come to understand the
mechanism of disease. Another approach involves studying shared or similar genes and protein
equivalents in other species. Since all organisms are made of cells and all cells perform many similar
functions, genes and proteins found in humans are also found in other organisms.
The functions of human genes have been revealed by studying parallel genes in nonhumans. This
approach has added to our understanding of how specific genes and proteins direct the functioning of
human cells—both healthy and diseased.
BSIB-115 Introductory Biotechnology
