Applications of Biotechnology in Medicine: Uses, Examples, and NEET Notes

Major Advancements In Medical Biotechnology

• CRISPR: It stands for the molecular DNA splicing mechanism. The Cas9 protein is used as a molecular scissor for DNA slicing and in genetic engineering. It helps in the alteration of gene sequences for various applications like the treatment of diseases, agricultural improvement, and prevention of spread of the diseases.

• Recombinant DNA: As the name suggests, it involves the recombination of the DNA molecules of two different species. The insertion of the recombinant DNA into the host cell. The host organism with recombinant DNA produces results that will have the combined effect of the parent genes. It is a method used for improvements in the agricultural sector by combining two superior genes to produce super-quality seeds.

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• HPV vaccine: The vaccine is used for the treatment of cervical cancer caused by the Human papillomavirus (HPV). It has significance since cervical cancer is the second-most common cancer in women.

Key Applications Of Biotechnology

Biotechnology has great importance in medicine since it helps in the development of various drugs to cure diseases. Some of its applications are:

Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering is the direct alteration of an organism's DNA via biotechnology. In medicine, it has several applications,

• Gene Therapy: By modification of genes, it has been able to treat or prevent disease conditions. It will be highly beneficial for disorders due to faulty genes in humans, such as cystic fibrosis, haemophilia, and muscular dystrophy.

• Production of Insulin: The insulin was previously obtained from animals. The process was rather long-winded and not very efficient. Using genetic engineering, human insulin is produced through the introduction of the gene for insulin into bacterial cells, making its mass production possible.

Biopharmaceuticals

Biopharmaceuticals are pharmaceutical drugs produced through biotechnology, usually through genetically engineered organisms. Some of the major applications of biotechnology in biopharmaceuticals are:

• Monoclonal Antibodies: They are artificial proteins produced in the laboratory, aiming to reproduce the ability of the immune system to fight pathogens. These monoclonal antibodies are used for cancer, autoimmune diseases, and infections.

• Vaccines: Biotechnology helps to prepare recombinant vaccines using parts of the pathogen, such as proteins, to achieve an immune response without causing the disease.

Stem Cell Therapy

The field of regenerative medicine is expanding speedily with stem cell therapy. The direct application of stem cells for the repair and replacement of damaged tissues and cells is being used.

Applications include leukaemia diseases to be cured with bone marrow transplantation, heart diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders in the form of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

Pharmacogenomics

Pharmacogenomics is the study of how an individual's genetic makeup dictates responses to drugs. The field allows:

• Personalized medicine: Tailoring therapeutic approaches according to an individual's genetic profile leads to enhanced therapeutic outcomes and reduces adverse drug reactions.

• Drug development: Biotechnology enables the rapid development of drugs since drugs can be designed to target specific genetic mutations.

Molecular Diagnostics

Molecular diagnostics are the applications of biotechnology in the detection of diseases at a molecular level.

• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): PCR is used to amplify targeted DNA sequences since genetic mutations and infectious agents like viruses have to be detected.

• Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS): The strength of NGS is in the sequencing of the complete genomes, which serves to provide personalized treatment of cancer and inherited diseases.

Tissue Engineering

Tissue engineering helps to create artificial organs or tissues that will be made with the assistance of biological materials. It may be used for:

• Organ Transplant: Artificial organs or tissue-engineered constructs may help to reduce the number of requests placed by a person for donor organs.

• Skin Graft: Biotechnologically engineered skin may be used on burn patients or those suffering from severe injuries in the skin.

Biotechnology in Medicinal Plants

Biotechnology affects medicinal plants indirectly by providing techniques for production of medicinal compounds and improvement of plant traits.

• Modified Medicinal Plants: With biotechnology, there is increased yield of medicinal compounds in plants like Artemisia, used for malaria treatment.

• Plant-Based Vaccines: Vaccines can also be made using plants as bioreactors. Plants such as tobacco and potatoes have already been engineered to produce vaccines for hepatitis, for example.

Other Applications Of Biotechnology

• The production of alcohol, curd, and bread by fermentation is the earliest form of biotechnology.

• Crop breeding by creating varieties mixing the desirable characteristics of species benefits the agriculture sector.

• Tissue culture helps in the multiplication of plants with the help of plant tissue. Endangered plants can be multiplied by this method.

• Biotechnology in forensic science is used to solve parental disputes and criminal identification.

Scope Of Biotechnology in Medicine

Biotechnology has applications in pharmaceuticals, food, agriculture, medicine, and many other industries. Genetic engineering is gaining popularity for producing biological organisms and other materials like proteins. Developing antibodies, transgenic animals and plants, tissue culture, etc., are some branches where biotechnology has been established.

Ethical And Medical Issues in Biotechnology

• Risk to human life in trials - The clinical trials of the new medicines put human life at risk.

• High cost of treatment - These most modern technologies involve a huge expenditure, making the cost of such treatments higher.

• Privacy concerns in genetic data - Interpreting the DNA sequence of a person is a breach of a person's privacy.

• Bioterrorism risks - Biowars are possible using these technologies. These lead to the depletion of funds in search of a cure to the diseases caused intentionally.

Tips, Tricks, And Strategies For Learning

Diagrams and Tables: Make flowcharts for complex processes, like recombinant DNA technology or PCR.

Mnemonics: Memes can be developed for remembering the applications of biotechnology. For instance, "GET PH" can be associated with Gene Therapy, Enzyme Production, Tissue Engineering, Pharmacogenomics, and Hormones.

Multimedia Learning: The message that should be delivered by the animation or video regarding genetic engineering and molecular diagnostics should be viewed.

Flashcards: Flashcards can be made for some of the important terms such as recombinant DNA, monoclonal antibodies, stem cells, etc.

Applications of Biotechnology in NEET, CBSE & AIIMS Exams

The table given below indicates the types of questions asked about this topic in various exams:

MCQs on Applications of Biotechnology in Medicine

Q1. Insulin consists of ___ polypeptide chains.

1. 5

2. 4

3. 3

4. 2

Correct answer: 4) 2

Explanation:

Two polypeptide chains make up insulin. The A and B chains are the names given to these chains. Disulfide bonds are unique ties that bind them together. There are 21 amino acids in the A chain and 30 in the B chain. These chains come together to create the structure of insulin. This aids in blood sugar regulation by the body. As a consequence, insulin is a 51-amino acid protein.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4) 2.

Q2. C-peptide of human Insulin is:

1. A part of mature insulin molecule

2. Responsible for formation of disulphide bridges

3. Removed during maturation of pro-insulin to insulin

4. Responsible for its biological activity

Correct answer: 3) Removed during maturation of pro-insulin to insulin

Explanation:

The connecting peptide or C-peptide is a short protein containing 31 amino acids. It connects the A and B chains of proinsulin molecules. After the processing of the proinsulin molecule, the C-peptide is removed leaving behind A and B chains which are bound together by disulfide bonds to constitute an insulin molecule.

Hence, the correct option is 3) Removed during maturation of pro-insulin to insulin.

Q3. An analysis of chromosomal DNA using the southern hybridization technique does not use:

1. Electrophoresis

2. Blotting

3. Autoradiography

4. PCR

Correct answer: 4) PCR

Explanation:

Southern Blotting -

This technique was developed by Edward Southern, in which DNA fragments from agarose gel are transferred to a nylon membrane and then hybridization with a radio-labelled probe. This technique is used for DNA only. Southern blotting technique doesn't use the PCR method.

Hence the correct answer is Option 4) PCR.

Also Read:

• MCQs on Genetically Engineered Insulin

• DNA Fingerprinting

• Difference between Restriction Endonuclease and Exonuclease

FAQs on Biotechnology in Medicine

Define medical biotechnology.

Medical biotechnology is the branch of biotechnology that uses living organisms to make products that are helpful in treating diseases in humans. It includes techniques like genetic engineering, tissue culture, recombinant DNA technology, and molecular biology. It is used to make vaccines, hormones, drugs and so on, to improve human health.

What are major advancements in medical biotechnology?

Some major advancements in medical biotechnology are recombinant DNA technology to produce human insulin, monoclonal antibodies using hybridoma technology to treat cancer and CRISPR-Cas9 for gene editing. Stem cell therapy can be used to repair damaged tissue, and mRNA vaccines provide protection from the viruses and make the immune system strong.

What are biopharmaceuticals?

Biopharmaceuticals are medicines that are made using the principles of biotechnology. They are obtained from growing living cells. They are usually antibodies, hormones, enzymes or nucleic acids that help in curing diseases. Examples include recombinant insulin for diabetes, monoclonal antibodies for cancer and autoimmune diseases, and vaccines for diseases like COVID-19. They are more effective than the traditional medicines made from chemicals.

What are molecular molecular diagnostics in biotechnology?

Molecular diagnostics are lab techniques used to detect changes in DNA, RNA, or protein of a patient to identify diseases. These techniques help in the early detection of infections, autoimmune disorders and cancers. Some of the commonly used methods are PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), NGS (Next-Generation Sequencing) and DNA microarray. They provide faster and accurate results compared to the traditional methods. They help to provide personalized treatment to the patients and help to treat the disease.

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