Transcript Unit 1: Introduction to Biotechnology

What is Biotechnology?
• Biotechnology is the study and manipulation
of living things or their component molecules,
cells, tissues, or organs for the benefit of
humans (or other animals).
– This term has been used since the 1970’s to
reflect the application of exciting new
technologies to the research and development of
products from plant and animal cells.
Biotech Bio Byte
Biotech Includes (but is not limited to)
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Recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Cloning
Fermentation
The creation of
– Insulin to treat diabetes
– Proteases (enzymes used to remove stains from
clothing)
– Antibodies (for recognizing and fighting certain
diseases
– Selective Breeding (dog breeds, flowers, fruits)
– Pharmaceutical drugs
– Cellular manipulation products (growing human ears on
mice)
Human Ear on Mouse
•
Human ears are
sometime lost through
accidents. Mouse cells
can be “tricked” into
growing the outer
portion of the human
ear, which is then
surgically transferred to
the human patient.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEc7QXAjsL4&feature=fvsr
Dolly: The First Sheep to be Cloned!
In 1997 Scientists at the
Rosalind Institute in
Scotland announced that
they had cloned a sheep
they had named “Dolly”.
Dolly was created by
transferring the nucleus of a
mammary cell from an
udder to an egg.
The Clone Age (part1)
Examples of Early Biotech
• Historical accounts have shown that the Chinese, Greeks, Romans,
Babylonians, and Egyptians (among many others) have been
involved in Biotech since 2000 BC!
• Early ancestors took advantage of microorganisms and used
fermentation to make breads, cheeses, yogurts, and alcoholic
beverages such as beer and wine.
Fermentation
Fermentation is when strains of yeast decompose
sugars to derive energy, and in the process they
produce ethanol (alcohol) and carbon dioxide as
a waste product.
– When bread dough is being made, added yeast
(saccharamyces cerevisiae) ferments sugar releasing
carbon dioxide, which causes the dough to rise and
creates holes in the bread. The alcohol produced by the
yeast evaporates when the bread is cooked.
– When making cheese, added bacteria undergo
fermentation by breaking down Lactose (milk sugar)
and converting it to Lactic Acid which causes the milk
to curdle and form cheese!
•  WE WILL BE DOING THIS 
Selective Breeding
• For thousands of years, humans have used selective
breeding.
– Selective Breeding: Organisms with desirable features are purposely
mated to produce offspring with the same desirable characteristics.
Medicines
• In 500 BC the Chinese used moldy curds as an
antibiotic to treat boils
• 100 BC: Chinese use powdered chrysanthemum
as an insecticide
Antibiotics
• In 1928 Alexander Fleming discovered that mold
Penicillium inhibited the growth of Stapholococcus
aureus. His discovery came from a pile of
“contaminated” Petri dishes.
Learn More about Fleming!
MRSA
(pic of a sore)
Viral Vaccines
Edward Jenner was an English country doctor who
pioneered vaccination. Jenner's discovery in 1796
that inoculation with cowpox gave immunity to
smallpox, was an immense medical breakthrough
and has saved countless lives.
See Jenner’s Story!
More Current Examples of Biotechnology
• In 1972 the DNA composition of humans is
shown to be 99% similar to that of chimps
and gorillas
• In 1981 the first genetically-engineered
plant is reported and the 1st mouse was
successfully cloned
• In 1982 Humulin (a human insulin drug),
was produced by genetically-engineered
bacteria and was the first biotech drug
approved by the FDA
• In 1994 the first breast cancer gene is
discovered
• In 1996 scientists clone identical lambs from
early embryonic sheep
• In 1998 embryonic stem cells are used to
regenerate tissue and create disorders
that mimic diseases
The Human Genome Project
•
The Human Genome Project (HGP) was an
international, 13 year effort that began in 1999 and
was completed in 2003. The project goals were to
• Determine the complete sequence of the 3 billion
DNA subunits (bases)
• Identify all human genes, and make them
accessible for further biological study.
– As part of the HGP, parallel sequencing was done
for selected model organisms such as the
bacterium E.coli to help develop the technology
and interpret human gene function.
Mapping the Human Genome Video Clip
Biotechnology Careers and Domains
• Biotechnologists work in a variety of settings,
including corporate labs, government agencies/
labs, and academic (college and university)
research facilities.
• Biotechnology is a broad field that includes the
domains of medicine and pharmaceuticals,
agriculture, industry, the environment,
instrumentation, and diagnostics
Domains of Biotechnology
The domain areas in Biotechnology can be
simplified into eight different concentrations
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Microbial
Agricultural
Animal
Forensic
Bioremediation
Aquatic
Medical
Regulatory
• Microbial Biotechnology: The manipulation of
microorganisms such as yeast and bacteria.
Example: Fermentation
• Agricultural Biotechnology: The genetic
engineering of plants in hopes of
– Giving the plant pest resistance
– Producing foods with a higher protein or vitamin
content
– Developing drugs that can be grown and
isolated in plant products
What is Agricultural Biotechnology
• Animal Biotechnology: This branch includes
– Using animals as a source of medically valuable
proteins
• Antibodies
– Using animals as an important model in basic research
• Gene “knockout” experiments (where genes have
been turned off)
• Designs and testing of drugs and genetic therapies
– Animal cloning
• Source of transgenic organs (animal organs that
can be transplanted into humans without fear of
rejection).
• Forensic Biotechnology
– DNA fingerprinting
• Inclusion or exclusion of a person from suspicion
• Paternity cases
• Identification of human remains
• Endangered species
• Tracking and confirmation of the spread of disease
• Bioremediation (video clip)
– The use of biotechnology to process and degrade a variety of
natural and manmade substances
• Particularly those that contribute to pollution
– For example, bacteria that degrade components in
crude oil
• 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska
• Gulf Oil Spill
• Aquatic Biotechnology (video clip)
– Aquaculture – raising finfish or shellfish in controlled conditions for
use as food sources
• 30% of all fish consumed by humans worldwide
– Genetic engineering
• Disease-resistant strains of oysters
– Vaccines against viruses that infect salmon and
other finfish
– Rich and valuable sources of new genes, proteins and metabolic
processes with important applications for
human benefits
• Marine plankton and snails found to be rich sources of antitumor and anticancer molecules
• Medical Biotechnology
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Involved with the whole spectrum of human medicine
• Preventive medicine
• Diagnosis of health and illness
• Treatment of human diseases
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New information from Human Genome Project
• Gene therapy
Stem cell technologies
• Regulatory Biotechnology
– Quality Assurance (QA)
• All activities involved in regulating the final quality of
a product
– Quality Control (QC)
• Part of QA process that involves lab testing and
monitoring of processes and applications to ensure
consistent product standards
Biotech: Big Business and Big $$
• Products developed through biotechnology must
have a market large enough to generate the profit
required to fund future research and development
• To begin research and development on a potential
product, companies must have satisfactory answers
to such questions as, “Who will use the product?”,
“Is it economical to produce?”
• Stages in product development (product pipeline)
include product identification, research and
development, small-scale manufacturing
(fermentation), testing for safety and efficacy
(including clinical trials), manufacturing, and sales
and marketing.
•
Biotechnology is a global industry
– Generates more than $63 billion in worldwide revenues
– $40 billion in sales of biological drugs in the United
States
• Some discoveries may or may not lead to
product development, but the information
contributes to our scientific knowledge.
This is considered “pure science.”
• Although the discovery process and
product pipelines are different for every
product, it usually takes 10 to 15 years to
bring a product to market. (Some products take
longer to come to market, particularly pharmaceuticals
that must undergo clinical trials).
• Agencies that regulate the development
and approval of biotechnology products
include the FDA, the USDA, and the EPA.
BIG BUCKS $$$
• During the 2012 Super Bowl, a representative of
the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly posted on
the company’s corporate blog that the average
cost of bringing a new drug to market is $1.3
billion, a price that would buy 371 Super Bowl
ads, 16 million official NFL footballs, two pro
football stadiums, pay of almost all NFL football
players, and every seat in every NFL stadium for
six weeks in a row. This is, of course, ludicrous.
• The average drug developed by a major
pharmaceutical company costs at least $4 billion,
and it can be as much as $11 billion.
Doing Biotechnology: The Scientific Method
All scientists follow a set of procedures to answer their
scientific questions. Most follow a scientific methodology
that begins with
1. Ask a testable question or state a problem based on
some information or observation
2. Predict the answer and develop a testable hypothesis
3. Plan and conduct a valid experiment that includes
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on experimental data and error A single manipulated variable
Control groups (both + and -)
Collect and analyze measurable data
Report their findings and discoveries by formulating a
conclusion based analysis.
The Biotech Workforce and MA
Massachusetts has the highest educated workforce
in the United States. It ranks 1st in the nation in
percentage of residents with a bachelors degree
or higher. Its elementary and secondary students
perform best in the nation on national
assessments.
• There are 49,825 biopharma employees in
Massachusetts (2011 estimate) and the
companies employing those workers are
responsible for over $4.6 billion of in-state
payroll.
• The Massachusetts biopharma industry grew by
53% between 2002 and 2011.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, County Business Patterns and MassBio analysis
Biotech Jobs in Massachusetts
• Most jobs at a biotechnology company are in the
following areas: research and development,
manufacturing and production, clinical research,
quality control, information systems, marketing
and sales, regulatory affairs, and
administration/legal affairs.
• Many laboratory positions require a minimum of a
4-year college degree. Manufacturing and quality
control staff need either a 2- or 4-year degree. A
scientific background is helpful for nonscientific
employees as well.