Biotechnology: Techniques, Types and Method

 Biotechnology:

    Biotechnology is a branch of biology that uses living organisms and biological processes for the benefit of humanity. It involves altering or transferring the unique characteristics of one organism into another to develop useful products and applications. Biotechnology is not a new concept. For instance, the use of bacteria in making yogurt and the grafting of plants are traditional techniques that have been practiced for centuries. 

Techniques used in biotechnology:

  1. Genetic engineering
  2. Tissue culture
  3. Cloning
  4. Fermentation

Genetic engineering:

    Genetic engineering is one of the most important techniques in biotechnology. It involves directly modifying the DNA of an organism to replace a faulty gene with a healthy one or to introduce a completely new trait. Organisms produced through this process are referred to as genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Methods of genetic engineering:

    The procedure generally follows these stages:
  1. Identification of the gene of interest
  2. Isolation and modification
  3. Cloning of a gene
  4. Selection of a molecular carrier
  5. Recombinant DNA technology
  6. Construction of recombinant DNA
  7. Insertion of Recombinant DNA into the host organisms

Identification of the gene of interest:

    It is the first and fundamental step in genetic engineering. We should be aware of the selection of desired gene with specific traits. 

Isolation and modification:

    The second step is to obtain the gene of interest. We can get genes from different sources. 
  • Gene can be synthesized chemically in the laboratory.  
  • mRNA uses reverse transcriptase to make a gene. Such a gene is called a complementary gene.
  • Genes can also be isolated from chromosomes. A gene can be cut from a chromosome using restriction enzymes.
After getting a gene of interest, we study its traits and modify it according to our needs.

Cloning of gene:

    Cloning is a technique in which we make identical copies. We need a large number of genes in order to create recombinant DNA. We use polymerase chain reaction(PCR). Polymerase enzymes can make over a billion copies in just a few hours.

 Selection of molecular carrier (vector):

    As the name suggests, it is responsible for carrying and transporting genes into the host. A specific vector is used in transporting a specific gene. Some common types of vector are plasmid (circular double standard DNA of E.choli), cosmids (Combination of bacteriophage DNA and plasmid), etc. 

Recombinant DNA technology:

     A combination of donor DNA and a vector is called recombinant DNA or chimaeric DNA. The laboratory method which is used to produce this type of DNA is called recombinant DNA technology. 

Construction of recombinant DNA:

  • To make a recombinant DNA, firstly isolate a gene of interest.
  • The donor DNA and vector are combined.
  • Restriction endonuclease enzymes are used to cut and paste DNA fragments.

Insertion of recombinant DNA into a host cell:

    The recombinant DNA is then introduced into the host cell, which is called transformation. There are different methods to introduce DNA into the host. Some are gene gun(use for plant), viral vectors(use for animal), and chemical treatment(use for bacteria).

Tissue culture technique:

    Tissue culture is a scientific technique in which a cell, tissue, or organ is grown in an artificial medium. In 1902, a German botanist, Gottlieb Haberlandt discover that plant cells are totipotent. After this discovery, he invented tisue cuture technique. 

Totipotent:

    An organism in which each cell contains all genetic information is called totipotent. They can regrow in new individuals only by one cell.
There are many types of tissue culture techniques, some of which are described below.

Meristem culture(micropropagation):

    Micropropagation is a commercial technique for producing thousands of seedlings in a shorter time. The growing points of a plant where cells are capable for celldivision is called meristem. An artificial medium is produced by adding auxins and cytokinins.  Shoots are cut and placed into that medium, where many new shoots are formed.

Protoplast culture:

    It is a technique in which a somatic embryo is produced. A naked cell without a cell wall is called a protoplast. It is produced when enzymes are used to digest the cell wall. These cells are regenerative and produce clumps. Then these clumps are manipulated into a somatic embryo. A mature plant is produced from this embryo. It can produce a new adult plant with mutations, a process called somaclonal variation.

Cell suspension culture:

    Cell suspension is another technique for producing a new adult plant with desired traits. A callus is transferred into a liquid medium. Then these clumps break off and form a suspension. It is used to produce chemicals and drugs.

Cloning:

    Cloning is another advanced technique of biotechnology. The process of making identical copies of an individual, cell, or genetic material is called cloning, and the copies are called clones. There are three types of cloning. 

Reproductive cloning:

    The process of making a whole organism is called reproductive cloning. In this process a cell is transferred to ennucleated egg than embryo formed. After the formation of embryo, it becomes a new adult organism(animal or plant)

Gene cloning:

      This process involved the cloning of a gene fragment, which is described in the section of genetic engineering.

Theraputic cloning:

    This type of cloning is used to make an embryo for the identification and treatment of disease. A sample of a gene of a patient is isolate and, through cloning, it forms an embryo. This embryo should be identical to the patient's cell.  

Fermentation:

    Fermentation is a process in which bacteria and fungi are used to beakdown of complex organic substances into simple substances. It is an old technique used to make yogurt. Nowadays this technique is larger use on an industrial scale to make yogurt, bread, alcohol and, many other  products. Fermentation is anaerobic process(in the absence of oxygen). There are two types of fermentation.

Alcoholic fermentation:

    In this process, yeast is used for the conversion of sugar into ethonol(C₂H₆OH) and carbon dioxide(CO₂).

Lactic acid fermentation:

    In this process, bacteria is used for the conservation of simple sugar into pyruvic acid or pyruvate(2-Oxopropanoate, 2-Oxopropanoic acid).
    
    

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What Are Mycorrhizae? Types and Their Role in Plant Growth

Image
What is mycorrhizae?       It is the relationship between fungi and higher vascular plant. The fungi  attach to  the roots of plant. It is mutualistic relationship. It means that mycorrhizae is beneficial for both organisms. Benefits:      The fungal hyphae increase the amount of nutrient such as phosphorus, copper, and other  nutrient in soil. It also help in directly absorption of these elements. On the other hand fungi absorbed nutrients from plant. Plant can grow better with mycorrhizae than the other plants. Root Epidermis:      Upper layer of root is called root epidermis which consist of  epidermal tissues. It helps in  protection, absorption as well as  interaction of plant with soil. Fungal hyphae attach with  root epidermis. Root hair:          These are thread like structure which are found on the tips of root. It helps in absorption of      nutrients f...
Read more

Food Interactions Between Organisms: Understanding Ecological Relationships

Image
 Food Chain:                     " Flow of energy from one trophic level to other trophic level is called  food chain". In other words:             "Series of step of eating and being eaten is called food chain". For example:               The grasshopper eats grass, rat eats grasshopper, snake eats rat and then snack  is eaten by eagle. This eating process make a chain which is called food chain. Every food chain always starts from producers and finish on decomposers. Trophic level:              The levels in food chain are called trophic level. As in above example grass is first trophic level, grasshopper second trophic level, frog third and so on. There is a change of energy level in each trophic level. This change in energy state a law which says:          " The energy is transfer from...
Read more

Kingdom Protista: Introduction, Classification, Characteristics and Examples

Image
 Kingdom Protista: Protists     Kingdom Protista is a distinct kingdom of organisms. It includes mostly  eukaryotic aquatic organisms. These organisms have characteristics which cannot be classified into any other kingdom. Their mode of nutrition, reproduction, lifestyles, and body forms are different from those of the other four kingdoms. There are four major groups of protists: The single-celled protozoa Unicellular and multicellular algae Slime molds Oomycetes Protozoa: Animal-like Protist These are animal like protists. These are unicellular eukaryotic organisms.  These are free-living, symbionts or parasitic.  They ingest their food by endocytosis. They use cilia, flagella, or pseudeopodia for locomotion. Some common protozoa are: Amoeba Ciliates  Zooflagellates Apicomplexans Actinopods Foraminifera  Amoeba: Amoeba may be free-living or parasitic. They are unicellular organisms. They live in marine, freshwater and soil. They have no definite ...
Read more