What is Biotechnology?

• Definition – Use of living organisms and their parts as tools.

Yeast

How long has Biotech been around? Thousands of years

CLASSICAL OR “OLD” BIOTECH

FOODMajority of food you eat is genetically modified - what types?

- how?

- why?

Example 1: Golden Rice genetically-engineered; increased amounts of Vitamin A

Example #2 - Cheese

“Old” Biotech – enzyme directly from calves’ stomachs to curdle milk

“New” Biotech – calf DNA transferred into bacteria; cellular factory

Example #3 –Beer, Wine, Bread

• Yeast produce ethanol and CO2

Example #4 – Yogurt• Bacteria produce lactic acid

IMPORTANT POINT Biotech has been around for thousands of years!

FIBER

Biopulping - Using bacteria (not chemicals) to convert woodchips to paper

Bioremediation – using plants to remove toxins from the ground

FUEL

Using crops or manure as a source of renewable energy

FEEDSTOCKS

Using starch instead of petroleum to create biodegradable plastics

PHARMACEUTICALS

- Genetic Testing- Drug Development- “Disease” detection

GOT SILK? VIDEO

Click here for video link

If the link doesn’t work, go to http://www.pubinfo.vcu.edu/secretsofthesequence/playlist_frame.asp and find “Got Silk” in the playlist.