Biotechnology : Principles and Processes

According to the European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB), biotechnology is the integration of natural science and organisms, cells, parts thereof, and molecular analogues for products and services. It encompasses both the traditional view and modern molecular biotechnology. The name ‘Biotechnology’ was coined in 1919 by agricultural engineer Karoly Ereky, known as the Father of Biotechnology. It deals with the large-scale production and marketing of products and processes using live organisms, cells, or enzymes.

This Story also Contains

1. Principles of Biotechnology
2. Recombinant DNA technology
3. Tools of Recombinant DNA Technology
4. Biotechnology Process
5. Recommended Video on Biotechnology Principles and Processes

Biotechnology is defined as a wide field of biological science that utilises both the technology and the use of living organisms and their components in order to develop, manufacture and produce useful human welfare products. This article include Principles of Biotechnology, recombinant DNA technology process and tools. It explains series of processes relating to the application of technology to biological processes. This is an important chapter of Biology included in the class 12 syllabus.

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Principles of Biotechnology

According to modern Biotechnology, the basic principles of biotechnology are:

• Genetic engineering is used to modify the DNA of a target organism, thereby altering the phenotype of an organism.

• Bioprocess engineering is the maintenance of sterile conditions to support the growth of a large number of desirable cells used for the production of new or modified biotechnological products such as antibiotics, enzymes, vaccines, etc.

Recombinant DNA technology

Recombinant DNA technology is also known as Genetic Engineering. It is the process of assembling two DNA molecules from two different sources. This is known as DNA recombinant.

The steps involved in the Recombinant DNA technology processes are:

• Isolation of a DNA fragment

• DNA cutting using restriction endonuclease

• Amplification of DNA using PCR

• Insertion of the desired DNA fragment into the vector

• Transformation of the DNA recombinant into the host

• Obtaining the foreign gene product

1. DNA Cloning

DNA cloning is the process of making many identical copies of a piece of DNA. This process requires cloning vectors with the following structures:

• It should be small in size but capable of carrying large DNA.

• The cloning vector must be able to replicate automatically in the host cell.

• It should have at least one restriction site.

• It must contain antibiotic resistance to filter recombinant organisms.

2. Bioreactor

A bioreactor is a large vessel or tank in which microorganisms or cells are grown under controlled conditions to produce useful biological products like enzymes, vaccines, or antibiotics. It provides an ideal environment by maintaining factors like temperature, pH, oxygen, and nutrient supply. They are commonly used in industries for large-scale production using genetically modified organisms.

Tools of Recombinant DNA Technology

Genetic engineering or recombinant DNA technology can be achieved when we have the key tools, i.e., restriction enzymes, polymerase enzymes, ligases, vectors, and the host organism.

1. Restriction Enzymes

Restriction enzymes, or restriction endonucleases, are enzymes that cut DNA at specific palindromic sequences. They produce either blunt or sticky ends, which are useful for inserting genes into vectors. Found naturally in bacteria, these enzymes help in isolating and cutting DNA at specific sites for genetic engineering.

2. Cloning Vectors

Vectors are DNA molecules that are used to transfer foreign DNA into host cells. Plasmids and bacteriophages are common examples. An ideal cloning vector has an origin of replication, selectable markers (like antibiotic resistance genes), and restriction sites to insert the gene of interest vectors helping in the replication and maintenance of recombinant DNA host cells.

3. Competent Host (For Transformation with Recombinant DNA)

A competent host is a cell that can take up foreign DNA. Bacteria like E. coli are made competent using methods like calcium chloride treatment or electroporation. Once inside, the recombinant DNA replicates and expresses the desired gene, enabling the production of useful proteins.

Biotechnology Process

Biotechnology is a series of processes relating to the application of technology to biological processes that occur in or under specific conditions to transform a process into a specific application.

It is one of the oldest industrial technologies ever recorded. For example, one of the biotechnological methods is the use of fermentation in alcohol production. In recent times, it has grown and developed into genomics, using immunology, genetic engineering, medicine, and more, with its work extending to major fields such as agriculture, genetic engineering, medicine, etc. It is also widely used in bioinformatics to explore the field of research and development, as well as to produce an extract from living organisms through biochemical engineering.

Over time, biotechnology became more complex from traditional to advanced modern processes, such as:

• Protein engineering - Designing or modifying proteins to enhance their function or stability.

• DNA modification - Altering the genetic material (DNA) to insert, delete, or change specific genes.

• Enzymes Inactivation - Loss of enzyme activity due to factors like heat, pH, or inhibitors, making it non-functional.

• Tissue culture - Growing cells or tissues in a nutrient-rich medium under sterile conditions.

• Protoplast integration - Fusing two plant cells without cell walls to create a hybrid with combined traits.

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