Biotechnology - KU Leuven
Transcript of Biotechnology - KU Leuven
BiotechnologyBio = Biology
Technology = Application
“The application of Biology”
Molecular Biotechnology
Dolly and surrogate Mom
Genetically modified rice.
Embryonic stem cells and gene therapy
A gene is a DNA segment that encodes a specific protein that contributes to expression of a trait.
mRNA protein trait
transcriptiontranslation
expression
The biology…….
Route to the Production by Bacteria of Human Insulin
The technology…….
Route to the Production by Bacteria of Human Insulin
A fermentor used to grow recombinant bacteria.
This is the step when gene cloning takes place.
The single recombinant plasmid replicates within a cell.
Then the single cell with many recombinant plasmids produces trillions of like cells with recombinant plasmid – and the human insulin gene.
One cell with the recombinant plasmid
The insulin protein expressed from the recombinant human insulin gene in bacteria.
Biotechnology and Health
Product Use
Insulin Diabetes
Interferon Cancer
Interleukin Cancer
Human growth hormone Dwarfism
Neuroactive proteins Pain
1953 - double helical structure of DNA published in Nature by Watson and Crick*
1980 - the U.S. patent for cloning genes is awarded to Cohen and Boyer**
First biotech companies formed: 1976 - Genentech1978 - Biogen1980 - Amgen 1981 - Immunex1981 - Chiron1981 - Genzyme
*Nature 171, 737(April 2, 1953)**Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1973 Nov;70(11):3240-4 and Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1974 May;71(5):1743-7
The industry is only 35 years old…it takes time!
History of Biotechnology
Biology
Cell Nucleus (eukaryotes)
Chromosome
Protein Gene (DNA)Gene (mRNA), single strand
Biotechnologie• Rode biotechnologie
– Stamcellen– Moleculaire therapie– Genoom op datastick
• Groene biotechnologie– Transgene gewassen
• Witte biotechnologie– Bio-brandstoffen– Industriële enzymen
Biotechnologie• Rode biotechnologie
– Stamcellen– Moleculaire therapie– Genoom op datastick
• Groene biotechnologie– Transgene gewassen
• Witte biotechnologie– Bio-brandstoffen– Industriële enzymen
induced pluripotent cells (iPSC)A combination of several genes can re-program skin fibroblasts into pluripotent cells
(Takahashi and Yamanaka Cell 2007, Yu Science 07, Cowan Science 07, Wernig Nature 07, Okita Nature 07)
Why iPSC can not replace ESC research:1) Studying ESCs is critical for understanding iPSCs2) iPSCs are induced by cancer genes therefore hinder their
use for therapies
“Reprogramming”
Next generation sequencing technology• Sequencing human genome: 13 jaar/ 3 miljard dollar• Genome Watson: 20 mensen/2 maanden. Totaalprijs
1.000.000 dollar• Te verwachten: 1000 dollar human genome
Technological advances
A Daunting Challenge
Vascular markers present
HER-2/NEU receptor
Her2 gene
Growth factor
Growth receptor present
High risk of relapse
Not good candidate for conventional therapyMutated susceptibility genes
Biotechnologie• Rode biotechnologie
– Stamcellen– Moleculaire therapie– Genoom op datastick
• Groene biotechnologie– Transgene gewassen
• Witte biotechnologie– Bio-brandstoffen– Industriële enzymen
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Plant biotechnology definition:
A precise process in which scientific techniques are used to develop useful and beneficial plants.
What is plant biotechnology?
Desired gene
Traditional plant breedingDNA is a strand of genes, much like a strand of pearls. Traditional plant breeding combines many genes at once.
Traditional donor Commercial variety New variety
Desired GeneX =
(crosses)
(many genes are transferred)
Plant biotechnologyUsing plant biotechnology, a single gene may be added to the strand.
Desired gene Commercial variety New variety
(transfers)
=
Desired gene
(only desired gene is transferred)
What crops were developed from these plants?
corn carrot lettuce
What crops were developed from these plants?
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Source: C.S. Prakash, Center for Plant Biotechnology Research, Tuskegee University, Alabama
Agricultural yield increases are declining
Developing countries World Developed countries0
1
2
3
Per
cent
age
per y
ear
1967–19821982–19941995–2020
Agriculture Products On the Market
Source: USDA
Insect resistant cotton
Insect resistant corn
Normal Transgenic
Bt toxin kills the cotton boll worm toxin gene from a bacteria
Bt toxin kills the European corn borer toxin gene from a bacteria Rootworm GM approved
Genetically Modified Crops
Genetically Modified Cotton (contains a bacterial gene for pest
resistance)
Standard Cotton
Biotechnologie• Rode biotechnologie
– Stamcellen– Moleculaire therapie– Genoom op datastick
• Groene biotechnologie– Transgene gewassen
• Witte biotechnologie– Bio-brandstoffen– Industriële enzymen
New food enzyme used during cheese making process
Chymosin (1990)
First biotechnology food product approved in the United States
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Biotechnology Beakthroughs
Biotech chymosin
Source: Rent Mother Nature
Source: Chr. Hansen
Bacterial and Animal Biotechnology Products
enzyme used to curdle milk products gene from yeast harvested from GE bacteria replaces the calf enzyme
increases milk production gene from cow protein harvested from GE bacteria replaces cow protein originally
harvested from pituitary glandsof slaughtered cows
bST (bovine somatotropin)
Synthetic BiologyWhat is Synthetic Biology?
It is an emerging field of biology that aims at designing and building novel biological systems.
The final goal is to be able to design biological systems in the same way engineers design electronic or mechanical systems.
Answers depends upon your perspectiveon the value of the technology
What will support your opinion? • Economics• Safety of products• Needs of human
The Question for the Future:Should We Live A Biotech Free Lifestyle??