Biotechnology is the use of living organisms to solve problems and make useful products. It has a long history but is now developing rapidly using new gene cloning, genetic engineering, and genome sequencing techniques. Biotechnology is interdisciplinary, requiring knowledge in fields like molecular biology, computer science, and engineering. There are many types of biotechnology including microbial, agricultural, animal, forensic, bioremediation, aquatic, and medical biotechnologies. Challenges for the 21st century include applying genome sequencing insights to improve healthcare through early disease detection, customized medicine, and gene therapy/stem cell technologies. The biotechnology industry offers many career opportunities in research and development, manufacturing, marketing, and sales.

1. BiotechnologyA Rapidly-Developing Industry

2. What is Biotechnology & What Does it Mean to You?

3. What is Biotechnology?Standard Definition:technology that uses living organisms (or their products) for human or environmental benefit, to make a product, or to solve a problem

4. Biotechnology has a long historyHumans have been using organisms for benefits for centuriesExamples:Domestication of animalsFermentation: some yeast break down sugars and produce alcohol/CO2Selective breeding of plants/animalsGene cloningGenetic engineering & recombinant DNA technologyHuman Genome ProjectHuman Proteome Project

5. Biotechnology is an Interdisciplinary IndustryBiotech companies are always looking for people with training in:Molecular biologyComputer scienceMathematicsEngineeringPhilosophyEconomicsBioinformatics: application of computer science to study DNA & protein dataEtc.

6. What Types of Biotechnology are There?Your subtopic goes here

7. Microbial Biotechnology Photo Courtesy of ASM MicrobeLibrayYeast used for fermentationBacterially-derived components can:Help leach oil & minerals from the soil to increase mining efficiencyDecontaminate industrial wasteGenetically-engineered bacteria can:Produce batch amounts of medically important proteins like insulin & HGH

8. Agricultural BiotechnologyPhoto Courtesy of Panda.orgPlants can be genetically engineered to become resistant to:PestsSevere weatherMolecular pharming: use of plants as sources of pharmaceutical productsProduce with new characteristics, such as enhanced flavor or vitamin content, can be developed via genetic engineering

9. Animal BiotechnologyPhotos Courtesy of the Roslin Institute & the University of ArizonaAnimals can be used as sources of antibodies for therapeutic or research purposesTransgenic animals can produce various therapeutic protens in body fluids (e.g., milk)Knock-outexperiments reveal information concerning gene functionAnimal cloning has been carried out and is controversial

10. Forensic BiotechnologyPicture Courtesy of Santa Monica CollegeDNA fingerprinting is a powerful technique for gathering evidence concerning crime scenes, paternity cases, and genetic research

11. BioremediationPicture Courtesy of Alken-Murray Corp.Bioremediation: use of biotech to process & degrade substances that pose environmental threatsExample: genetically-engineered bacteria broke down components in crude oil and cleaned up areas affected by Exxon Valdez oil spill (Prince William Sound, Alaska)

12. Bioremediation

13. Aquatic BiotechnologyPhotos Courtesy of The Marine ScienceInstituteAquaculture can be used to replenish endangered and over-harvested species (giant clams, sea urchins…)Genetically-engineered oystersDisease-resistant strains which resist salmon-infecting virusesVaccines against such virusesTransgenic fish w/enhanced GH productionAquatic extremophile gene products

14. Medical BiotechnologyGene discovery (HGP)Gene therapy pioneeringStem cell technologies

15. Regulatory BiotechnologyQuality Assurance (QA) - All activities involved in regulating the final quality of a productQuality Control (QC) - lab testing and monitoring of production processes to ensure consistent product standards (part of QA)

16. Biological Challenges of the 21st CenturyYour subtopic goes here

17. What to do with the HGP?We now know that humans have ~20,000-30,000 genesGenomics provides insights into the function/regulation of genes, how genes direct cell activities, & how altered genes function in diseaseProteomics will be the next logical frontierComparative genomics will give insight into evolution & taxonomy

18. How might we benefit from the HGP?Early detection & diagnosis of genetic abnormalitiesCustomized drug regiments for individual genomesApplication of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and correlation with disease statesDNA microarray (gene chip) – contains thousands of gene sequences; can be used to ID SNPs in particular patientsPharmacogenomics = “customizable medicine” for both an individual’s physiology & specific types of tumorsGene therapy – the replacement or augmentation of a defective geneStem cell technologies & regenerative medicine – work is progressing with both ES cells and AS cells

19. The Biotechnology WorkforceJobs in Biotechnology

20. Research & Development (R&D)Laboratory technicians – clean & maintain scientific equipment & lab inventory – A.S., B.A., B.S. DegreesResearch assistants/associates – carry out experiments under supervision of senior scientists – B.S. or M.S.Senior Scientists – manage large scientific projects – Ph.D. & post- doctoral experience

21. Manufacturing & ProductionJob details are typically company- or product-specificEntry-level jobs are plentifulSupervisory/management jobs usually require B.S./M.S. in a science and several years of experienceEngineers are highly sought after by biotech manufacturing and production companies

22. Marketing & SalesAcademic training in both science and business are idealSales reps work with medical personnel to promote their company’s productsMarketing specialists develop advertising campaigns and promotional material