Transcript Intro to Biotech Presentation

What is Biotechnology?
• Definition – Use of living organisms
and their parts as tools.
CLASSICAL OR “OLD” BIOTECH
Yeast
How long has Biotech been around?
Thousands of years
FOOD
Majority of food you eat is
genetically modified
- what types?
- how?
- why?
Example 1: Golden Rice 
genetically-engineered;
increased amounts of Vitamin A
Example #2 - Cheese
“Old” Biotech – enzyme
directly from calves’
stomachs to curdle
milk
“New” Biotech – calf DNA
transferred into bacteria;
cellular factory
Example #3 –Beer, Wine, Bread
• Yeast produce ethanol and CO2
Example #4 – Yogurt
• Bacteria produce lactic acid
IMPORTANT POINT  Biotech has been around
for thousands of years!
FIBER
Biopulping - Using bacteria (not
chemicals) to convert woodchips to
paper
Bioremediation – using plants to remove
toxins from the ground
FUEL
Using crops or manure as a source of renewable energy
FEEDSTOCKS
Using starch instead of
petroleum to create
biodegradable plastics
PHARMACEUTICALS
- Genetic Testing
- Drug Development
- “Disease” detection
GOT SILK? VIDEO
Click here for video link
If the link doesn’t work, go to
http://www.pubinfo.vcu.edu/secretsofthesequence/playlist_frame.asp and find
“Got Silk” in the playlist.