Biotechnology: The application of engineering science principles and technological methods on biological systems, like microorganisms, higher animals, and plants, intending to carry out chemical, environmental or genetic changes in a way that reduces the generation of harmful products, causes simplification of the procedures and results in overall beneficial effects for the human beings and the ecosystem constitutes the realm of Biotechnology. This word is very much self-explanatory.

The Hungarian agricultural engineer Karoly Ereky had coined the term biotechnology in 1919.  Some often refer to him as the “father” of biotechnology.

Kiran Majumdar Shaw has the credit of being regarded as the father of Indian biotechnology.

Biotechnology, to a large extent, is intimately related to disciplines.

The decay of dead bodies, rotting of various biological wastes, souring milk, and generating chemicals such as marsh gas (methane), vinegar, alcohol, acetone, etc., from vegetative raw materials due to the chemical processes are indeed biochemical processes. When some of these processes were scientifically and technologically manipulated to self-benefit by humans, it became known as biotechnology.

Earlier Times in Biotechnology

Biotechnology has been used by humans since the dawn of the fermentation civilisation. The Egyptians used yeast to make leavened bread, the Chinese invented brewing and cheese-making fermentation techniques, and the Aztecs used Spirulina algae to make cakes.

Fig: Use of Biotechnology in Ancient Egypt to Produce Alcohol

Though the most primitive use of biotechnology was in the cultivation of grains and domestication of animals, fermentation was once thought to be a gift from the gods by ancient societies. The history of biotechnology begins with zymotechnology or zymurgy, which commenced with a focus on brewing techniques for beer. In the late 1800s, Louis Pasteur’s germ theory described the scientific evidence for fermentation for the first time.

Although current biotechnology involves a lot of DNA manipulation, classical biotechnology began before we even knew what genes and chromosomes were. It has now evolved into a technology that improves everything from farming to medications and practically almost everything that comprises our environment.

Soon, a new field known as genetic engineering helped bring biotechnology to the forefront of science in society. This formed a relationship between the scientific community, the public, and the governments.

Traditional Vs. Old and Modern Biotechnology

Traditional biotechnology refers to a variety of old methods for producing new products or modifying current ones by utilising organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and yeast cells.

Although people were not aware of the existence of microbes, unknown applications were getting popular to produce products.

Early examples of biotechnology include breeding animals and crops and using yeast cells to obtain soft bread, cheese, yoghurt, vinegar, beer, toddy, and wine, all based on fermentation methods.

DNA profiling, genome sequence determination, transgenesis, DNA cloning, and other biotechnological techniques for manipulating genetic material and fusing cells beyond normal breeding barriers are all examples of modern biotechnology. It involves manipulating genes and living tissues in a controlled environment.

When Did Modern Biotechnology Begin?

The events that led to modern biotechnology in terms of decades are as follows.

1. The 1950s: Discovery of 3D model of DNA.
2. The 1960s: Discovery of restriction enzymes, development of vaccines like measles and mumps
3. The 1970s: DNA recombinant technique.
4. The 1980s: Humulin production, development of drugs for cancer
5. The 1990s: Identification of various genes, beginning of human genome project

What are the Four Types of Biotechnology?

There are four main types of biotechnology (now more than four), depending upon the nature of the area of application and research. Developed by Kafarski in 2012, these 4 types are interestingly categorised by colour.

Fig: Four colours of Biotechnology

The colour codes, red, white, green, and blue, were basically used to categorise the different areas of research in ways that are easy to remember. Exploring further, we will discuss the types in a little detail:

Red Biotechnology: Red biotechnology offers a lot of value to the pharmaceutical industry and the medical profession. It helps to enhance patients’ quality of life while also alleviating the feeling of pain and suffering. Red biotechnology can figure out the best drug doses for patients, thus working towards making drugs, treatments and molecular diagnosis much more specific for people based on their genetic code.

White Biotechnology: The industrial “White” biotechnology has its focus markedly on using biotechnology to create new processes with fewer natural resources and energy as compared to conventional methods. It makes use of living cells derived from plants, bacteria, fungi, and yeast. The enzymes present in these cells cause the intended process to happen with a bare minimum of energy, and they also produce less waste. Examples include the manufacture of food and the making of washing powder to decrease artificial ingredients.

Green Biotechnology: Green biotechnology deals with agricultural biotechnology. It focuses on developing the methods and processes to enhance industrial production of biofortification, biofertilisers, biopesticides etc. Green biotechnology applies to the development of creating new plant varieties of agricultural interest. It relies on gene manipulation and breeding techniques.

Blue Biotechnology: The “Blue” marine biotechnology refers to the study of marine bacteria, fungi, animals, plants, etc., with a focus on using these for food, agriculture, medicine, etc. For example, ziconotide, a substance derived from the venom of cone snails, is said to be an effective pain-killer. Using marine biotechnology to produce alternative energy sources is an attractive concept. Various proteins, enzymes, antibiotics, bio-polymers, and other biomaterials are currently derived from marine sources; for example, the UV light-sensitive fluorescent protein from jellyfish which are used in imaging techniques.

In the new classification, many more colours are recognised.

1. Yellow: Food Biotechnology, Nutrition Science
2. Brown: Arid Zone and Desert Biotechnology
3. Dark: Bioterrorism, Biowarfare, Biocrimes, Anticrop warfare
4. Purple: Patents, Publications, Inventions, and IPRs
5. Gold: Bioinformatics, Nanobiotechnology
6. Grey: Industrial Fermentation and Bioprocess Technology

How Has Biotechnology Been Applied in The Past and Present?

Past Applications:

1. Domestication of crops and animals
2. The utilisation of microorganisms to produce bread, cheese, yoghurt, vinegar, beer, wine, toddy, pickles, sauces, chutneys, etc.
3. Training and selective breeding of animals.
4. Producing high-yielding crops.
5. Production of alcohol and some other chemicals like vinegar, organic acids, etc.

Modern Applications

1.  Production of hormones and enzymes
2.  Antibiotic production
3. Vaccine production
4. Biofortification
5.  Biopesticides and insect-resistant crops.
6. Genetically modified (GM) organism
7. Sewage treatment

Summary

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) 

Q.1. Who is the father of biotechnology?
Ans: Károly Ereky is considered the “Father” of biotechnology.

Q.2. Who is the father of Indian biotechnology?
Ans: Kiran Majumdar Shaw is considered the father of Indian biotechnology.

Q.3. What is the earliest form of biotechnology?
Ans: Domestication of plants and animals is considered the earliest form of biotechnology.

Q.4. What are the four major focuses of biotechnology?
Ans: Major focus of biotechnology health, agriculture, aquatic productivity and environment conservation.

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