What is Biotechnology?

2. What is Biotechnology? • Biotechnology (by-o-tek-nawl-a-gee) • Bio—short for biology—the study of living things • Technology—another word for tools, engineering, science • Biotechnology is a tool that uses biology to make new and better products • Biotechnology is a tool to find solutions that improve the health of the Earth and its people

3. What is Biotechnology? • Three areas of Biotechnology • AgricultureDeveloping plants and animals that can produce well • in a variety of environments. • Ex: Can produce during drought, cold, or heat. Resistant to disease, insects, herbicides. • Use of less fertilizer, pesticide, and herbicide. • Science • Producing food that will: • reduce spoilage rate • taste better • have an increased nutritional value • have an improved texture or appearance • Medicine • Miracle drugs • Antibiotics • Vaccines

4. Is Biotech New? Biotechnology is an extension of Traditional Plant Breeding

5. Cells and Organelles • Cells are the building blocks that make up all living things • Everyone is made of cells • The construction instructions for cells came from other living things….every cell contains DNA—the substance that makes us unique • Cells are very small….you can only see them under a microscope

6. Gene Discovery & Expression • Genes tell how to build and manage a cell • You can’t see genes since they are microscopic • All people, plants and animals inherit traits from their parents through genes • How an organism looks and functions is a result of the cumulative effect of all molecules

7. Many genes are transferred Desired Gene X Commercial Plant Variety Donor Plant New Plant Variety A single gene is transferred Desired Gene Desired Gene + Improved Commercial Plant Variety Commercial Plant Variety DonorPlant TRADITIONAL PLANT BREEDING PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY

8. Biotechnology and You • Improvements in food production—especially in cheese making • Chymosin has replaced rennet that was traditionally used in cheese production • Biotechnology has produced recombinant Chymosin (rtChymosin) • USDA Approved the enzyme in 1990 • Chymosin has created an endless supply of a good quality product

9. How DNA Works • DNA forms the genetic code • Nearly every living thing has unique DNA • DNA makes proteins • DNA molecules are shaped like two long ladders twisted around and around • There are 6 types of chemicals that make up DNA

10. Recombinant DNA • Identify and cut the selected gene using restriction enzymes

11. Insert that gene into a plasmid (a plasmid is a circular piece of DNA used like a bus or shuttle…)

12. Place the plasmid into a bacterial cell where the desired traits can be produced. • Clone the plasmid.

13. Polymerase Chain Reaction • To make many copies of specific pieces of DNA

14. The Future of Biotechnology • Land is a precious resource. • The world’s population is growing but the amount of land we have for farming is not! • It will become harder to grow food for everyone on Earth. • Biotechnology is one method being used to help farmers grow more food. • Someday, we could be able to grow food on land that was not good for farming—too dry, too rocky, etc.