BIOTECHNOLOGY AND ITS AIMS ALONG WITH APPLICATION

BIOTECHNOLOGY: 

Biotechnology is a science that uses the method and process for transformation of natural raw materials into useful product by the application of living organism in the industrial process. Thus, it is the biology in service to mankind. 

HISTORY: 

The term biotechnology was used in 1920's by Leeds City Council but the practice of biotechnology is as old as the human civilization. The production of alcoholic beverage is one example. Primarily biotechnology was applied only to fermentation industry where the commercial products were alcohol and biotics; and organic acid. Nowadays, it has been applied rapidly due to the discoveries in the field of biology, microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetic engineering etc. Some aspect of it are biogas, biofertilizer, plant tissue culture, plant breeding, embryo transplantation etc. The living organisms applied in biotechnology range from singe unicellular to complex one. Lewis Pasteur showed that Beer and Butter are product of fermentation carried out by yeast called Saccharomyces cerevisiae. 

BIO REACTOR: 

Bio reactor is a device in which the substances are located to stimulate for transformation by living cell or by cellular component such as enzyme. Infact it is heart in any industrial process. There are two types of bio reactor: 1)For fermentation by using living cell 2)For enzyme transformation using cell free system The first type of bioreactor is called as fermenter in which cell growth is promoted to allow formation of product. In enzyme transformation the living organism are not used. The substance transformation are carried out by using immobilizer enzyme where semi solid or solid supports are used to attract bio catalyst for effective conversion of catalyst and repeated uses. 

APPLICATION OF BIOTECHNOLOGY: 

 There are several area where biotechnology is applied for human welfare. Following are the few important application of Biotechnology: 

1)BIOTECHNOLOGY IN THE FIELD OF AGRICULTURE: 

 It is applied in agriculture for production and protection of crop plants. It helps in production of disease resistance variety of plant as well as virus free plant. It helps in large production of crops within short period of time. 

 2)BIOTECHNOLOGY IN MEDICINE: 

 It has wide range of application in medicine. It is widely used in animal and human health care. It is applied in prevention ,diagnosis and cure of diseases. It helps in production of antibiotics, interferon, antibodies, vaccines, gene therapy etc. 

 3)BIOTECHNOLOGY IN THE FIELD OF FERMENTATION: 

 Fermentation is core of modern biotechnology. A variety of important organic compounds are produced industrially by fermentation properties of microbes. These include alcohol, enzymes, vitamins etc. 

4)BIOTECHNOLOGY IN THE FIELD OF SEWAGE TREATMENT: 

 Micro organisms are widely used to reduce environmental pollution by acting on sewage wastage.

5)BIOTECHNOLOGY IN ENERGY PRODUCTION: 

The energy obtained from biological source is called bio energy. Fermentation of cow dung, farm refuge, garbage etc. by methane bacteria in anaerobic condition produces biogas. 

 

MAIN AIMS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY: 

1)To develop industrial processes for production of antibiotics, enzymes etc.

2)To develop gene surgery and gene therapy to cure genetic disease.

3)To create improved varieties of plants and animals through genetic engineering and plant breeding. 4)To develop techniques for tissue culture, cell culture and organ transplantation.

5)To develop bioenergy 

6)To develop biological processes of waste treatment to reduce the impact of pollution 7)To develop biological process of plant disease control.