Biotechnology applications in various fields Dr. Mohammed Mabrouk Salama
Biotechnology is one of the sciences that fall under applied and technological sciences and that depends on the unique and rare properties of living matter. Definitions that explain the concept of biotechnology have varied, but in general it can be defined as “all technologies that use biological systems and living organisms such as bacteria and others or their components.” To produce, modify or develop products and increase them in order to use them for many purposes that serve the person and be of value and benefit to him.
The relationship of biotechnology to other sciences
The highest return from biotechnology can only be obtained by merging a large number of scientific and technological fields together in order to benefit from all of them. The science of biotechnology is a comprehensive, multifaceted science that relies on many other sciences such as applied biophysics, microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry, genetics, and biology physiology. Molecular biology, enzymology, analytical chemistry, food science, chemical engineering, industrial microbiology, and others. So this science is a branched science that requires knowledge of many other sciences in order to bear its fruits in the fullest possible way
Modern biotechnologies
One of the most important modern technologies, genetic engineering technology, DNA recombination technology, and gene therapy is the processing, transfer and benefit of genetic codes in animals, and among modern technologies that have also received great demand from specialists is the technology of plant and animal tissue culture and increasing the number of embryos for animals Economic farm and (IVF) or treatment of human infertility cases through external fertilization. Recently, the technology of using stem cells in cellular therapy has appeared, which may turn the scales upside down in the treatment of diseases, especially genetic ones.
The emergence of scientific revolutions in various fields led scientists to hope for many requirements that were, until recently, out of reach for us. One of the most important revolutions that has emerged recently is the so-called biological revolution.
Biological Revolution
The emergence of the biological revolution in the world recently is not the result of chance or the result of today or yesterday. Rather, the biological revolution is considered one of the revolutions that has passed through many stages, the most important of which is
1. Molecular Biology: It is a science that attempts to understand the mechanisms of life at the level of molecules and the interaction between them.
2. Cell Biology stage: It is not limited to the study of the relationships within the cells themselves, but also includes the basic study of the relationships between cells to each other.
3. Neuro-endocrinology stage: It concerns the connection of organs and systems with each other and the coordination of their functions through integration between the nervous system and the endocrine system and the hormones it secretes that control the various activities of the body.
4. Genetic Engineering revolution stage: (DNA technology, that is, deoxyribonucleic acid technology.
This stage is considered the latest stage of the biological revolution, but it is the most controversial and scrambling for scientists to work in it, dive into its depths, extract its hidden secrets, and extract its hidden treasures for the benefit of science, society and humanity. This new biotechnology allows us to reprogram the molecular and cellular interactions discovered during earlier stages of the biological revolution. Genetic engineering can directly affect human life, as we will know that later.
DNA Recombinant Technology
The emergence of DNA Recombinant Technology is one of the most important technologies that have been developed and updated in the field of genetic engineering, which has had a great impact in transforming the science of biotechnology from mere dreams and hopes to application on the ground and the development of decisive solutions to many of the problems facing humanity today, such as the production of Food, the production of non-traditional fodder from cheap sources, the production of alternative sources of energy, the production of some drugs, medicines and many pharmaceutical substances (insulin), waste disposal and environmental preservation.
Agricultural biotechnology
The success of European and American scientists in devising new distinct crops characterized by superior advantages that were not present in their predecessors is a product of the great and tremendous development in biotechnology. The developing countries have also followed this path with the aim of improving the quality and quantity of animal and plant production alike and overcoming the existing problems. It has food shortages, environmental problems, and others. Scientists have recently been able, through the use of modern bio technologies, to improve some of the main crops in these developing countries, such as potatoes, mangoes, bananas, tomatoes, palms, and others. Scientists in this era have unanimously agreed that biotechnology is the only way to develop and modernize agriculture worldwide, whether the developed world or the developing world (third world countries).
Fields of biotechnology
First: the field of plant and animal production.
Second: the field of industrial production.
Third: the field of energy.
Fourth: The field of marine wealth.
Fifth: the field of environment.
Sixth: The field of medicine and human health care.
Objectives of genetic engineering:
The primary stated objective behind conducting genetic engineering experiments is to provide food for the world's population through the promotion of so-called genetically modified animals and genetically modified plants. Then come medical and therapeutic goals such as organ transplantation, production of medical compounds, development of immune, diagnostic and medicinal compounds, and the ability to develop better treatment and vaccines for HIV, malaria, cancer, heart diseases, neurological disorders, and finding permanent treatments other than its time for many diseases. intractable. Gene therapy and other technologies will also change the treatment of diseases and rely on the work of models or types of animals as alternatives to humans used in the study of human diseases and methods of treatment.
Biotechnology and food shortage in the world
A report on the Food and Agriculture Organization of the World indicated that the amount of global production of food is sufficient to meet the needs of the population on the planet, but this will not happen unless this food is distributed equitably to the inhabitants of the earth, but the developed and major countries account for the largest share of this food, which showed the problem of shortage food in developing countries. The problem is not a production problem but a distribution problem. Rich developed countries have only 20% of the world's total population and yet they consume about 86% of global consumption.
One of the most important goals of genetic modification using modern biotechnology is to seek and work to improve animal productivity, food conversion efficiency, and increase the animals’ ability to resist diseases. Also, working to increase the ability of animals to adapt to environmental conditions and improve the characteristics of animal products was another of the things that improvement was a goal. her or change her. However, genetic modification using modern technology is distinguished from the old methods
- The speed of obtaining the desired qualities.
- Transferring certain traits (genes) between species that are not related to each other, and this is what led to the formation of genetically modified animals.
Goals of genetic engineering
The objectives of genetic engineering in animals can be summarized as follows:
1. Improving animal productivity and increasing animal production of meat and milk.
2. Changing the characteristics of animal products and producing important vital compounds that may be characterized by an increase in the nutritional value than its counterparts in the normal case.
3. Increase the ability of animals to resist disease and reduce the use of medicines.
4. Improving the ability of animals to benefit from nutrients.
5. Increasing the animals' ability to adapt to environmental conditions.
Dr. Mohammed Mabrouk Salama professor of physiology
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