Chapter 1: What is Biotechnology

What is the definition of biotechnology

Biotechnology is the use of living organisms, systems, or processes in manufacturing and service industries, particularly for the development of products and technologies that improve human life and the environment.

What are three traditional biotechnology products?

yogurt, bread, and cheese

What are two examples of modern biotechnology products?

enzymes in laundry detergents or therapeutic drugs

When did the modern biotechnology industry begin?

The modern biotechnology industry began in the 1970s with the advent of recombinant DNA technology, which allowed for the manipulation of genetic material in organisms.

When did early humans begin selectively breeding plants and livestock?

Around 10,000 years ago

When was the first wine invented?

Approximately 6000 BC

Who developed brewing and cheese making? When?

The ancient Egyptians and Mesopotamians developed brewing and cheese making around 6,000 to 7,000 years ago.

What was the first antibiotic used? Which culture? When?

moldy soybean curds as an early antibiotic by the chinese

Who developed the first smallpox vaccine? When?

Edward Jenner developed the first smallpox vaccine in 1796.

Who discovered proteins?

jons jakob

When was the Origin of Species published?

The Origin of Species was published in 1859 by Charles Darwin, introducing the theory of evolution through natural selection.

When was pasteurization first developed?

Pasteurization was first developed in the 19th century by Louis Pasteur, specifically around the 1860s.

When did Mendel establish the principles of genetics?

In the mid-19th century, specifically from 1865 to 1866, Gregor Mendel conducted experiments on pea plants that led to the establishment of the foundational principles of genetics, including the laws of inheritance.

Who developed the first rabies vaccine? What year?

louis pasteur developed the first rabies vaccine in 1885

When did the term “biotechnology” first appear in print?

The term "biotechnology" first appeared in print in 1919, coined by Hungarian engineer Karl Ereky.

Who discovered penicillin? What year?

alexander fleming

Who discovered DNA as the carrier of genetics information?

oswald avery

When was the double helix structure of DNA discovered?

In 1953 by James Watson and Francis Crick.

When was mRNA discovered?

mRNA was discovered in the early 1960s, specifically by researchers such as Sydney Brenner and François Jacob, who established its role in protein synthesis.

When was the gene first completely synthesized?

The gene was first completely synthesized in 1970 by Har Gobind Khorana, marking a significant milestone in molecular biology.

When was recombinant insulin produced? By which company?

Recombinant insulin was first produced in 1978 by Genentech, marking a significant advancement in biotechnology and diabetes treatment.

When was DNA fingerprinting first used?

In the early 1980s, specifically in 1984, DNA fingerprinting was first used as a method for forensic analysis and identifying individuals based on their unique DNA profiles.

When were the first genetically modified tobacco plants grown?

The first genetically modified tobacco plants were grown in the early 1980s, marking significant advancements in plant biotechnology.

When was the Human Genome Project first launched?

The Human Genome Project was first launched in 1990, aiming to map all the genes in the human genome.

What was the first cloned mammal? What year?

dolly the sheep in 1997

When was Golden Rice developed?

Golden Rice was developed in the late 1990s as a genetically modified organism to combat vitamin A deficiency.

When was the Human Genome Project completed?

In 2003, it was completed.

When was the first HPV vaccine approved?

The first HPV vaccine was approved in 2006 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent certain types of human papillomavirus.

When was the first self replicating bacterial cell created?

In 2010 by synthetic biologist Craig Venter and his team, who synthesized an entire bacterial genome and successfully created a self-replicating cell.

When was CRISPR/CAS9 used for gene editing?

2012

When were mRNA vaccines first used?

2021

What are the different sectors in biotechnology?

research, healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing

What are the key techniques in biotechnology?

molecular biology, cell biology, genetic engineering

What is the ethical consideration around biotechnology?

just cause we can do it doesn’t mean we should

What are the tools in biotechnology?

spectrophotometers and PCR machines

What are two of the key instruments in biotechnology?

What is chromatography?

laboratory technique used to separate the components of a mixture based on how they move through a medium (called the stationary phase) under the influence of a solvent or gas (called the mobile phase).

What is the gene transfer?

the process by which genetic material (DNA or RNA) is moved from one organism (or cell) to another.

What is protein purification?

process of isolating a specific protein from a complex mixture, such as cells, tissues, or organisms, so it can be studied or used in applications like medicine or research.

What is a spectrophotometer?

scientific instrument used to measure how much light a substance absorbs at different wavelengths

What is PCR?

laboratory technique used to amplify (make many copies of) a specific segment of DNA.

What are the key concepts behind using biotechnology in national defense?

involves applying biological science and engineering to protect a nation from biological threats, enhance military capabilities, and support national security efforts.

What company was the founding biotechnology company? What was their first product>

The founding biotechnology company is widely recognized as Genentech and Humulin was first product

What is the difference between biotech and pharmaceutical industries?

pharma is chemical and biotech is living organisms

Who are the key users of biotechnology?

healthcare, agriculture, environmental, industrial

What is genomics?

branch of biology that focuses on the structure, function, evolution, mapping, and editing of genomes—the complete set of DNA (including all genes) in an organism.

What is proteomics?

the large-scale study of proteins, particularly their structures, functions, and interactions within a cell or organism.

What is precision medicine?

medical approach that tailors treatment and healthcare decisions to the individual characteristics of each patient. Instead of a “one-size-fits-all” method, precision medicine considers factors like a person’s genetics, lifestyle, environment, and even their microbiome to design the most effective and personalized therapies.

What happens during the drug discovery phrase of drug development?

It involves identifying and developing new candidate compounds that could become safe and effective medications.

What happens during phase I clinical trials?

Phase I clinical trials are the very first stage of testing a new drug or treatment in humans after preclinical (lab and animal) studies.

What happens during phrase II clinical trials?

Phase II clinical trials are the next step after Phase I and focus mainly on evaluating the effectiveness of the drug, while continuing to assess its safety.

What happens during phrase III clinical trials?

A large group of patients, typically several hundred to several thousand, who have the disease or condition.