Course: SAT 170 Introductory Biotechnology

Unit 1 Learning Module

SubTabs

- Unit 1
- Table of Contents (Selected)
- Unit 1 Glossary (Selected)

1
Introduction to Biotechnology and the Scientific Method
&
History of Biotechnology
Introduction to Biotechnology and the Scientific Method

Modern biotechnology labs such as the one shown here are equipped with a variety of equipment and employ individuals with diverse educational and experiential backgrounds.

An integral component to science is conducting research, often times using special lab equipment as is shown in this image.
Biotechnology

- Biotechnology is a field of science which relies on living organisms or their products to create technological advances, for human purposes.
- Biotechnology is a science of many disciplines including cellular and molecular biology, physiology, genetics, microbiology, biochemistry, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, physics, statistics and computer science.  Complex problems can best be solved by evaluating the contributions of each of these disciplines to the field of biotechnology.

Science

- All scientific fields, including biotechnology, utilize the scientific method as a way of acquiring knowledge through documented investigation and experimentation.

Scientific Method

- Scientific method is a systematic approach which includes 5 basic steps.
- There are several key steps to the scientific method as is illustrated in this figure. Note that the conclusions to an experiment allow you to either support or refute your original hypothesis.
Types of Biotechnology

- Biotechnology that deals with agricultural processes is known as green biotechnology. One of the major focuses of green biotechnology is to reduce pesticide, antibiotic and hormone use in the domestication of plants and animals by introducing new ideas for breeding and management.
- Red biotechnology has medical applications. This form of biotechnology includes things such as genetic testing, production of pharmaceuticals and other innovative therapies.
- White biotechnology, which is also sometimes referred to as grey biotechnology, has industrial applications which focus on producing materials that are more easily degradable while using less energy and resources.
- Marine and freshwater biotechnology is also known as blue biotechnology. Some potential applications for such technology include marine renewable energy, food production and advancement of industrial processes.
- Forensic biotechnology relies heavily on DNA fingerprinting as a technique to identify criminals, victims and paternity. DNA fingerprinting is a technique which creates a genetic profile that is unique to each individual.
- At the heart of environmental biotechnology is bioremediation which is used to reduce pollutants in our environment.
- We will also evaluate the role of microorganism and animals in the field of biotechnology. We will see how both organisms can be used as factories to produce pharmaceuticals and other important products. We will also examine the role of microorganisms as possible bioweapons and the role of animals in cloning.

As is evident in these brief descriptions of the various types of biotechnology, the applications and uses of such technologies are often intertwined. We will explore these different types of biotechnology along with the specific techniques utilized in future units.