Biotechnology Overview and Applications

Division of Animal Sciences

  • College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

  • Animal Products and Biotechnology

Lecture Details

  • Title: Overview - Biotechnology

  • Date: 2025/08/26

Lecture Overview

  1. Introduction to Biotechnology

    • Definition: A subdiscipline of biology using biochemically based processes for practical purposes.

    • Paraphrased: Using biology as a tool.

    • Example: Genetic Engineering, Developmental Biotechnology, Cell Biotechnology.

Historical Context of Biotechnology

Origin of Biotechnology

  • First Bioengineered Food:

    • Brewed Beer: Sumerians in Mesopotamia (8000 - 6000 BC) in modern Iraq - an example of fermentation.

  • Biotechnology with Bacteria & Fungi:

    • Wine Production:

    • Evidence in Mount Ararat region (6,000 years ago) and possibly China (9,000 years ago).

    • Cheese:

    • The role of propionic acid bacteria leads to holes in cheese as they ferment sugars.

    • Bread:

    • Flatbread was made by Egyptian bakers using baker's yeast (approximately 6,000 years ago).

    • Molds:

    • Penicillin: A famous mold that has medical applications.

Definitions and Frameworks in Biotechnology

Definition by USDA NIFA (National Institute of Food and Agriculture)

  • Animal Biotechnology:

    • A branch of biotechnology where molecular biology techniques are employed to genetically engineer animals, improving their agricultural, industrial, or pharmaceutical suitability.

    • Applications include:

    • Genetically modified animals for therapeutic proteins.

    • Animals exhibiting improved growth rates or disease resistance.

Improving Animal Value with Animal Biotechnology

  1. Gene(s) Influence Phenotype:

    • Understanding how genes regulate phenotypic traits.

  2. Introducing Modifications:

    • Exploration of recent tools in genetics.

  3. Concerns:

    • Potential ethical issues regarding genetic modifications.

Case Study: Dolly the Sheep

  • The first successful cloning of an adult mammal, showcasing advances in genetic engineering.

Case Study: Green Pig

  • Genetically modified pigs known for specific traits potentially beneficial in agriculture.

Concept of PharmAnimals

  • Animals modified to produce pharmaceutical proteins, indicating a growing field in biotech for medical applications.

Molecular Foundation of Life

Definition and Role of DNA

  • DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid):

    • Described as a linear chemical code that serves as the carrier of genetic information.

    • Human Genome: 3 billion base pairs, encompassing complexity which includes non-coding regions (also referred to as "junk" DNA).

    • Concept of the Central Dogma: DNA → RNA → Protein.

Epigenetics

  1. Role of epigenetic marks in gene expression.

    • Methylation: Attaching methyl groups which can silence genes.

    • Acetylation: Adding acetyl groups which can enhance gene expression.

Human Genome Project

  • Completion Year: 2003

  • Key Statistics:

    • Length: 3.2 x 10910^9 nucleotide pairs

    • Approximately 25,000 genes

    • Various features including largest and mean gene sizes, exons and pseudogenes statistics, percentages of coding vs non-coding DNA.

RNA Biology

RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)

  • Involvement in transcription and translation.

    • Transcription: Process of synthesizing RNA from DNA.

    • Types of RNA include coding RNA, non-coding RNA, microRNA (miRNA).

    • Alternative Splicing: Allows multiple proteins to be produced from a single gene.

Structure and Function of DNA

DNA Building Blocks

  • Structure:

    • Composed of phosphate, sugar, and nitrogenous bases (A, T, C, G).

    • Double Helix Structure: Created by two strands forming complementary pairs (A-T and G-C).

    • Chemical polarity gives directional property (5' - 3' ends).

Replication Models

  • Semiconservative Replication: Each new DNA molecule contains one original and one new strand.

  • Other models proposed include conservative and dispersive.

Gene Expression & Innovation

Central Dogma of Molecular Biology

  1. Gene as Information Archive:

    • DNA serving as a template during transcription to create RNA.

  2. RNA as Information Carriers:

    • RNA synthesizes proteins through translation.

Genetic Innovation Mechanisms

  • Modes of Genetic Change:

    • Intragenic mutation, gene duplication, DNA segment shuffling, horizontal transfer of genes between organisms.

Genetic Engineering Applications

Definition of Genetic Engineering

  • The practice of modifying an organism’s genome to introduce desired traits.

  • Common GMO Products:

    • Predominantly in plants; few approved for animals, including genetically modified salmon and pigs for food consumption.

Current Transgenic Animal Production Trends

  • Focus on bio-pharming models and applications in human disease.

Xenotransplantation in Medicine

Recent Developments

  • Richard Slayman Case: First documented genetically modified pig kidney transplant.

  • Procedure highlights potential in xenotransplantation, with ongoing clinical use despite some patient outcomes.

Stem Cell Research Advances

Establishment of Stem Cells

Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs) and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs)

  • Significance of breakthroughs such as inducement of iPSCs from mouse fibroblast cultures by Kazutoshi Takahashi and Shinya Yamanaka in 2006.

Current Aspects of Biotechnology Education

Curriculum Focus Areas

  • General biology, DNA structure, central dogma principles, genetics, reproductive physiology, current livestock models, and tools like CRISPR/Cas9.