Before learning what is biotechnology and the ways in which Biotechnology has showed marked improvements in a human society, it is worth understanding what the subject is all about.
What is Biotechnology?
To define it in the simplest way possible, Biotechnology is the technology used on living systems and organisms to study and discover products that facilitate a better life.
The application of Biotechnology is nothing new. For thousands of years, human beings have applied and tested biotechnology in a variety of fields like food production, the discovery of drugs and medicines and of course agriculture.
The good examples of biotechnology are brewing and baking bread using “yeast” (a living organism) to make the final products.
However, the term Biotechnology was first coined by a Hungarian engineer named Karoly Ereky in the year 1919. Continuous research and developments in the field have resulted in the expansion of Biotechnology to numerous other branches of science like applied immunology, genomics, pharmaceutical therapy, diagnostics, and gene technology.
Biotechnology Examples
Since biotechnology successfully develops products and technologies to combat issues like environmental hazards, overuse of energy resources, the spread of infectious diseases, hunger, industrial difficulties and others.
The contribution of Biotechnology towards the society is enormous. Fuel is imperative for survival today.
Putting processes like fermentation and exploitation of biocatalysts like microbes, enzymes, and yeast into use to create valuable manufacturing plants, this branch of science has beefed up the production of fuel and other biological alternatives by leaps and bounds.
Biotechnology – An Academic Overview
Biotechnology, as the name suggests is not restricted to ideas about Biology and Technology only. In fact, as a student of Biotechnology, you will be expected to learn the ropes of:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Food Biotechnology
- Biofabrication
- Cell Biology
- Drug Designing
- Process Calculations
Career Opportunities in Biotechnology
Since Biotechnology is a booming course of study these days, career options are huge. There are openings for Biotechnologists in the industrial sector, pharmaceutical sector, food and beverage sector and also in the field of agriculture, animal husbandry and environment conservation.
Here are the good resources on Biotechnology from around the web.
AGROGENE, Molecular marker and plant breeding
AGROGENE brings you the latest innovation in plant research & biotechnology. With a decade of plant genetics and breeding expertise, our laboratory, based in France, provides you with molecular marker service (AFLP, Microsatellites, PCR test, GMO detection). Link
Art’s Biotechnology Resource
This site allows easy access to hyperlinks and free software for the biochemist, biophysicist, and molecular biologist. This site is constantly evolving and expanding, so it can be easy to use, reliable, and comprehensive. This is purely a non-profit site for your enjoyment. Link
The biotech equipment trading site
BioBid.com is the largest independent Internet trading site that allows people to communicate their buying and selling needs for biological research and clinical laboratory equipment. Link
Bioresources and Biotechnology Division, TERI
Promote the efficient management of natural resources, particularly forest wealth, and harness modern biological techniques to enhance yields, protect and conserve biodiversity, and control environmental pollution. Link
Bioscience Engineering – University of Cambridge
Web pages of the a research group in Cambridge, UK, working on gene and protein delivery technologies. Techniques used include bioresponsive polymers, viruses and carbon nanotubes. Link
BioSTAR – HOME
Biotechnology Strategic Targets for Alliances in Research. Part of Industry – University Cooperative Research Program. Link
Biotechfind – Biotech Industry Search Engine
BiotechFind.com is a directory of international links covering the fields of biotechnologies and biofinances and including a keyword-based search engine. Link
Biotechnology Computing Facility
Homepage of the Biotechnology Computing Facility, a division of Arizona Research Laboratories, BCF is a research support facility specializing in Bioinformatics, Image Processing and Molecular Modeling at the University of Arizona. Link
Biotechnology for the 21st Century: New Horizons
1995 report by the Biotechnology Research Subcommittee of the (U.S.) National Science and Technology Council describes major areas of biotechnology application and identifies research priorities in the field. Link
Biotechnology Homepage
Biotechnology – Welcome to the largest state-of-the-art gateway to biotechnology worldwide! This fully revised and expanded Second Edition takes into account all recent developments in biotechnology. It is extraordinarily broad in scope, up-to-date, carefully structured and well-balanced. Biotechnology considers both basic concepts and widely-differing industrial applications: it is a successful synthesis of theory and practice. Link
Bioweb Biotechnology Information Switzerland
News, articles, library catalog, glossary and links on various topics related to biotechnology and genetic engineering. Link
Common Access to Biotechnological Resources and Information
The CABRI (Common Access to Biotechnological Resources and Information) Project aims to meet the need of European biotechnology research and development for high-quality biological resources by providing common access for the user via the Internet to the resources and information of the providers within the project. Link
Council for Biotechnology Information
Founded by biotechnology companies to create a public dialogue and share information about scientific research, independent expert opinion and peer-reviewed published reports. Link
Cropgen
An education and information initiative for consumers and the media on the subject of crop biotechnology. Link
Department of Biotechnology – University of Wuerzburg
The research program of the Department of Biotechnology focusses on different aspects of membrane-biotechnology and -biophysics: electrical field-effects in biological systems, development of biocompatible implants, membrane transport processes, long-distance water transport mechanisms in higher plants. Link
FAO: Biotechnology in Food and Agriculture
Features news articles, current projects, an electronic forum, meeting schedule and a glossary of terms. Link
Guide to Biotechnology
Explains what the field is, historical development, applications, current approved drugs, and statistical data. Link
International Organisation of Biotechnology and Bioengineering
The organization was formed in 1968 to represent all researchers, laboratories, and industries involved in any aspect of biotechnology, that is using the biological material for the improvement of health, food, feed, fertilizer, energy and commodity product formation. Link
Marine Bioproducts Engineering Center
Marine Bioproducts Engineering Research Center. An NSF funded partnership between the University of Hawaii, Manoa, University of California, Berkeley and private industry that includes education, research, and discovery, separation, characterization, and production of marine bioproducts. Link
Mass Spectrometry and Biotechnology Resource
Provides reference materials for scientists working with mass spectrometry in the biotechnology industry. Link
National Center for Biotechnology Information
Established in 1988 as a national resource for molecular biology information, NCBI creates public databases, conducts research in computational biology, develops software tools for analyzing genome data, and disseminates biomedical information – all for the better understanding of molecular processes affecting human health and disease. Link
Pratical Biotechnology
This collection of practical investigations has been compiled by the NCBE is an association with the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (formerly the Agricultural and Food Research Council). Many of the investigations have previously appeared in the NCBE Newsletter, or have been used in NCBE workshops for teachers. All of the ideas have been tested, both in the NCBE laboratory and, more importantly, by teachers in schools. Link
Stem Cells & Cloning Club (SCCC)
All things stem cells and cloning related, including; science, news, ethics, politics, investments, media, culture, discussion forum and more. Link
The Genosphere Project
A citizen’s guide to resources for getting a handle on the biotechnology revolution. Link
The World-Wide Web Virtual Library: Biotechnology
This directory contains well over 1000 URLs of companies, research institutes, universities, sources of information and other directories specific to biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, and related fields. It places emphasis on product development and the delivery of products and services. Link
USDA: Agricultural Biotechnology
Lists the rules and procedures for obtaining and keeping a permit to work with genetically modified plants and animals. Defines pharmaceutical and commercial use. Link
Vivamer : Responsive Biopolymers for Drug Delivery and Tumour Imaging
Vivamer creates novel drugs and imaging agents based on its unique responsive biopolymer chemistry platform. Link
