biotechncbi

  What is Fermentation? Fermentation is the process of converting carbohydrate to alcohol or acid using yeast, bacteria, or a combination of the two. Some examples include: ·          All alcoholic beverages are derived from fermentation. ·          The conversion of corn into ethanol is an example of fermentation used in biotechnology (ethanol fuel). Lactic acid ferments are important in producing foods with a longer shelf life (e.g., sauerkraut, pickles, and yogurt). The production of citric acid also involves fermentation. Excessive lactic acid fermenting bacteria can cause food spoilage. One such bacteria is Lactobacillus bulgaricus , which produces large amounts of lactic acid during the production of yogurt. Fermentation in biotechnology is used to make a variety of products, including: ·          Alcoholic beverages (beer and wine) ·  ...

  In the 1860s, a French physician named J.J. Garin studied a family with eight siblings who had an unknown genetic disorder that caused bizarre behaviors and physical appearance, including facial tumors and mental retardation. In 1871 he wrote about this family in a medical journal article titled "Inherited Idiocy." Garin hypothesized that what was causing the disorder was something passed from parents to children, but he didn't know how or why it worked. His work was largely forgotten until scientists started noticing similarities between this disorder and one called alkaptonuria (al-kap-TONE-ree-uh). People with alkaptonuria can have arthritis, heart disease, darkening of the skin, and eye problems – including the whites of their eyes turning brown. Scientists figured out that this same family might have a disorder that causes both alkaptonuria and mental retardation. Today, we know that the cause is a genetic mutation – a change in DNA – passed from parents to chi...

  Genetic engineering actually began with the discovery of DNA. This structure of nucleotides has been used to identify and manipulate genes of all living organisms, including humans. Genetic engineering is a process that alters an organism's genome through the introduction and/or removal of specific traits and there are several different methods that can be employed. The two most common methods involve either "recombinant DNA" – the transferring of genes from one organism into another – or by using chemicals and radiation to induce random mutations in the natural genomes. Genes are what make up chromosomes responsible for encoding proteins as well as regulating those encoded protein's activities; they also determine many phenotypic characteristics such as or eye color. By adding, removing, or otherwise manipulating genes in an organism's genome it is possible to alter its phenotypic characteristics.   Gene Cloning The first method of genetic engineering i...

What is Biotechnology Biotechnology can be defined as an application of knowledge or techniques that use living organisms or derivatives for producing consumer goods, materials and energy. It uses living organisms such as bacteria, plants, animals or other types of cells while manipulating their genetic makeup to produce proteins for dietary supplements, drugs or chemicals for use by various industries. Examples include using yeast which can ferment sugars for beer production while using enzymes produced by bacteria to create cheese from cow's milk. The biotechnology industry was first started as a research facility to study problems in genetics and molecular biology. Research at the time were developed by small biotech companies which provided a huge impact on modern medicine. Since then, it has grown significantly and is now used in different industries for various purposes such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, environment and others.   Biotechnology in Pharmaceu...

We all know biotechnology is a booming field. That is why biotechnology engineering has been a popular major for some time, and it will probably remain a popular choice in the future. To some, biotechnology means products which can prevent or cure diseases. It also refers to genetically modifying plants and animals for specific purposes, such as food production. In general terms, biotechnology is about using living systems or organisms to develop/create products that benefit humans. The scope of biotechnology engineering may vary from country to country due to different focus areas in biotechnological research being done by each nation's scientists. But the scope of biotechnology engineering at global level mostly includes: - Development of plants with improved yield and agricultural properties (resistance to diseases, tolerance to pesticides, drought & heat resistant) - Development of more efficient bioreactors for industrial scale production of recombinant pharmaceuticals - D...