The root words of biotechnology come from the Greek language: BIO=Life, living TECH= Skill, technique BIOTECHNOLOGY means using living things (microbes, fungi, plants and animals) to make products. BACKGROUND NOTES

AREAS OF Biotechnology can be divided into many different categories, including: Agricultural Industrial Medical

Agricultural Agricultural Biotech can be divided into 2 main categories: PlantAnimal

Plant Biotechnology involves improving the quality and quantity of our food supply. Researchers are finding new ways to grow more food on each plant; use less water and fertilizer; and developing pest control methods that are safer for the environment. Agricultural How does Biotechnology improve plants?

Plant biotechnology relies heavily on Genetic Engineering. Genetic Engineering is when you move, add or change the genes or DNA of an organism. If a plant or animal has been modified this way it is called a GMO: Genetically Modified Organism. Agricultural What is Genetic Engineering?

Syngenta Syngenta Biotechnology, Inc. (SBI) is located in Research Triangle Park, NC. SBI researchers use a combination of science and cutting-edge technology to develop crops that produce more food, are resistant to pests and diseases, and are healthier. Agricultural

Companion Companion animals can benefit from biotechnology. Vaccines have been developed to prevent rabies, distemper and leukemia. Biotech research has also improved medicines to treat heartworms, parasites and allergies. Animals Agricultural How do animals benefit from Biotechnology?

Animals Farm Biotechnology provides tools for improving the health and productivity of farm animals. Biotech products treat, prevent and detect diseases earlier. Biotech has also improved the quality of animal feed so the nutrients are absorbed more efficiently by the animal. Agricultural How do animals benefit from Biotechnology?

ANIMAL BIOTECHNOLOGY  GROWTH HORMONES are natural proteins given to animals (such as cows and pigs) to increase production. Examples: BST hormone allows Dairy cows to increase their milk production up to 20%. PST Hormone decreases the fat and increases the muscle on a pig. Agricultural How are growth hormones used in farm animals?

Bayer Crop Science Bayer Crop Science develops products in the areas of crop protection, non- agricultural pest control, seeds and plant biotechnology. The main method they use to create these products is genetic engineering. The company has facilities in three NC cities: Research Triangle Park, Clayton and Morrisville. Agricultural

Applications of biotechnology in the chemical and environmental industry often are called “industrial biotechnology.” Some Goals of Industrial Biotechnology include: Finding faster, safer, cleaner ways to manufacture everyday products. Finding renewable sources for energy. Cleaning up and protecting the environment. Industrial

You can thank biotech for no-calorie artificial sweeteners—Equal, NutraSweet, Splenda. The ingredient that makes them sweet is amino acids. The amino acids come from microbes. Industrial One of the main ingredients in the cheesemaking process is an enzyme, called Rennet that makes the milk curdle. Rennet is naturally found in a calf’s stomach. Through Biotech, the genes for rennet production are placed into bacteria to mass produce it.

Novozymes North America Novozymes manufactures enzymes, microorganisms and biopharma ingredients. Novozymes’ bio-industrial products are used in more than 40 industries, including aquaculture, brewing, detergents, fuel ethanol, food products and textiles. The plant is located in Franklinton. Industrial

New Fuels: New "designer" enzymes from biotechnology labs are being used to manufacture bioethanol, a non-polluting fuel made from plant material that can be used in place of gasoline. Using renewable resources such as corn or agricultural waste to produce a cleaner fuel is a win-win benefit for the environment.

Industrial New Materials: Researchers have genetically engineered cells so that they can use plant sugars instead of petroleum-based chemicals to create biodegradable plastics and polyesters. "Green plastics" made from corn are being used to manufacture packaging materials, clothing, and bedding.

Cleaner Air, Water, & Soil: Plants and bacteria can be used to safely clean up oil spills and remove toxic chemicals and other pollutants from our air, water, and soil. Industrial The bioremediation process can take care of really nasty stuff, like oil spills. Whether it’s an oil spill from a shipwreck, a leak from a gas station, or simply a clogged grease trap in a restaurant’s kitchen sink, the approaches are similar.

Industrial Clean Burn Fuels, located in Raeford, is North Carolina's first ethanol-processing plant. Ethanol is a gasoline supplement that is produced from starchy biomass through an enzymatic process. The $100 million plant, will be the largest on the East Coast. Clean Burn Fuels

Medical Biotechnology Diagnostics Prevention Treatments DNA Testing Medical Biotechnology can be divided into 4 sub categories: Medical

DIAGNOSTICS Diagnostics determine what is wrong with a patient. They are also known as Assays or Tests. An Assay could tell the Doctor if their patient has an infectious disease or a genetic disorder. The quality and speed of assays has been improved through Biotechnology. DIAGNOSTICS Diagnostics determine what is wrong with a patient. They are also known as Assays or Tests. An Assay could tell the Doctor if their patient has an infectious disease or a genetic disorder. The quality and speed of assays has been improved through Biotechnology. Your doctor may use a test called the rapid strep test. For this test, the doctor uses a long cotton swab to take some material from the back of your throat. The results of this test can be ready in about 15 minutes. Medical

PREVENTION Prevention of infectious diseases is being improved by vaccines and antibiotics produced by animals or microorganisms. New vaccines help prevent hepatitis, meningitis, and influenza. New vaccines in food may eliminate the need for a trip to the doctor and a shot. Medical

TREATMENTS Medicines to treat diseases, such as insulin for diabetics and human growth hormone to counteract dwarfism, have been developed through Biotechnology. The world’s leading producer of insulin is Novo Nordisk in Clayton, NC. Medical

DNA TESTING DNA FINGERPRINTING is used to identify criminals in forensic investigations and determine parentage in paternity suits. This tool also helps identify victims of disasters, such as the World Trade Center Bombing. Medical

Today, almost 70 percent of childhood and young adult cancers are cured, thanks to new tools of biotechnology. Biotechnology is producing methods to detect cancer earlier and to diagnose it more accurately. It is also leading to more effective treatments with fewer side effects. Medical

Grifols Biotherapeutics Medical Grifols’ Clayton facility is dedicated to the production of therapeutic proteins that treat rare diseases, including immune deficiencies and genetic emphysema.

Pfizer Pfizer operates one of the world’s largest vaccine facilities in Sanford. The vaccines that eliminated small pox and polio in the U.S. came from their laboratories. Medical

Diseases & Biotechnology Biotechnology 1. The use of microorganisms, such as bacteria or yeasts, or biological substances, such as enzymes, to perform specific industrial or manufacturing processes. Applications include production of certain drugs, synthetic hormones, and bulk foodstuffs. 2. The application of the principles of engineering and technology to the life sciences.

Diseases & Biotechnology Genetic Engineering – The process of producing recombinant DNA for the purposes of altering and controlling the genotype and phenotype of organisms. Genetic engineering has been used to produce a variety of human proteins, including growth hormone, insulin, and interferon, in bacteria. At present, it represents a powerful tool for medical research but is possible only in microorganisms. In the future, genetic engineering may be applicable to more complex organisms, offering the possibility of controlling and eliminating genetic disorders and malformations in humans.

Diseases & Biotechnology Careers in biotechnology Making medicine in large quantities. (e.g. penicillin) Human insulin – treatment for diabetes. Combating crime – DNA testing & forensic testing. Removing pollution – from soil & water. (bioremediation) Agricultural crops/livestock products – improving the quality of food products.

Diseases & Biotechnology Ethical Issues Genetic Modification (GM) - alteration of the structure of genetic material in a living organism using recombinant DNA. Cloning - The generation of an exact living replica of an organism’s DNA—DNA cloning—or a cell— cell cloning—produced asexually from a single ancestor