Introduction to the Biotechnology Workplace Biotechnology and the workplace

What is Biotechnology? It is the use of organisms, or materials derived from organisms, to make useful products. Thousands of years old Bread making Wine making Cheese making We refer to cloned sheep, gene therapies, DNA fingerprinting

Molecular Biology DNA-genetic substance by which parents pass info to their offspring (4 nucleotides) GENE: ordered sequence of nucleotides containing genetic info on how to make a particular protein CHROMOSOME: cell containing many organized genes (X, Y, 2*23, Procaryotic/Eucaryotic cells) DNA > mRNA > Protein

What is technology? It is the application of scientific knowledge to make products useful to humans. It is also the application of knowledge about living systems in ways useful to humans

Technologies of Modern Biotechnology Genetically engineered is a term meaning that a biologist makes a cell take up a gene from another cell. Recombinant DNA is a term meaning that the DNA contains sequences from different sources of DNA DNA contains codes that direct the cell to make proteins. DNA > mRNA > Pritein When the protein is produced by a cell it is expressed.

Continued DNA can be transferred to recipient cells in a number of ways. Genes may be spliced into plasmids Plasmids which carry genes into recipient cells are called vectors Plasmids are small, circular molecules of DNA found in many types of bacteria, which exists separately from the bacterial chromosome.

Fermentation Used to cultivate microorganisms Bacteria cells were induced to express the human insulin gene. This bacteria containing the human insulin gene can be grown in large quantities The insulin can be isolated and used to treat diabetes. Fermenter vs. Bioreactor (p8)

Culturing of cells Are grown in flasks, dishes, vats, and other containers outside a living organism The gene of interest can be introduced into mammalian cells that can produce a desired protein Mammalian cells produce this protein more slowly and have greater nutritional requirements than do bacteria

Continued Genes of interest may also be introduced into plants and animals A plant or animal whose cells are genetically modified using the techniques of Biotechnology is called transgenic Growth hormones can be introduced into a fertilized egg to cause the offspring to have the hormone in all cells. What problems could arise from genes given to a mouse to enhance growth, being passed on to its offspring? Some Genetic therapies will treat an illness and not be passed on the offspring and not affect other areas of the body.

Monoclonal Antibodies Antibodies are proteins, made by the immune system, that recognize and bind to substances invading the body An antibody will bind to only one target Monoclonal antibodies have found many applications in research and in medical diagnosis Home pregnancy kits (HCG): Human Chorionic gonadotropin Monoclonal antibodies are exceptionally homogeneous populations of antibodies directed against a specific target They are produced by hybridoma cells that result from the fusion of an antibody-producing cell and a cultured cell

Applications of Biotechnology Medical/Veterinary Applications Biopharmaceuticals Gene therapy Agricultural/Food applications Genetically modified foods Other applications Identification of individuals Biopharmaceuticals are pharmaceutical products, like insulin, that are manufactured using genetically modified organisms as production systems Gene therapy involves replacing a gene that is missing, or correcting the function of a faulty gene, in order to treat or cure an illness

Organization of a Biotech Company Research and Development Finds ideas for products, performs research and testing and develops ideas into products Production Produces the products developed by R&D Quality Control/Quality Assurance Monitors processes and tests products Other Functions in a Company “Cultures” within a Company

Responsibilities of R&D Identify products of commercial value Identify properties of products Establish product specifications Develop testing methods Develop process to make the product Describe cells or organism needed Determine Raw materials Determine equipment needs Develop a plan for production of product

Responsibilities of Production Making the product Working with large scale equipment and large volume reactors Monitoring and control of environment required for product Cleaning, calibration, and cleaning of eq. Following written procedures and performing tasks related to production

Continued Monitoring processes associated with making the product Initiating corrective actions in needed Completing forms, labeling, filling in logbooks, and maintaining other required documents

Responsibilities of QA/QC Monitoring equipment, facilities, environment, personnel, and product Reviewing all production procedures Ensuring that all documents are accurate, complete, and available Testing samples of the product and raw materials for acceptability Comparing data to established standards

Continued Deciding whether or not to approve the product for release to consumers Reviewing customer complaints

Other Functions in a Company Engineering Facility maintenance and housekeeping Receiving and shipping Dispensing Metrology Marketing and Sales Metrology assures that instruments in lab and production operate properly

Cultures within the company R&D in an atmosphere of change and unpredictability Production in a predictable environment QC intent on quality assurance In small companies the differences between these three are often blurred!!!