When asked what I do, I often respond that I am involved in biotechnology. Actually, the multidisciplinary nature of biotechnology covers many different fields, such as the environment, medicine, and industrial activities. Let’s talk about the various types of biotechnology, referred to in one article as the colors of biotechnology.
4 Types Of Biotechnology
Medical biotechnology, industrial biotechnology, marine biotechnology, and environmental biotechnology are four types of biotechnology.
- Medical Biotechnology
Medical biotechnology focuses on developing new medicines and vaccines for humans. This field involves the production of various types of drugs and vaccines. Medical biotechnology is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry as it can help improve the quality of life for patients. It can also help alleviate the suffering that people experience due to their condition.
Through biotechnology, researchers can now determine the ideal drug dosages for patients based on their genetic code. This will allow doctors to treat their patients in a more personalized manner. This technology will change the future of medicine and will enable patients to receive the best possible care.
Through biotechnology, researchers can now find ways to treat various diseases using biological materials. For instance, they can use specific proteins, genes, and antibodies to create organisms that can be used to treat multiple conditions.
Examples of this technology include the creation of enzymes that can be used to treat heart disease. Through biotechnology, researchers have been able to modify the proteins of hamster cells to encourage the production of these enzymes. Advanced forms include genetic engineering. This approach has led to the development of new treatments for various human diseases, such as hepatitis and AIDS.
The biggest discovery in medical biotechnology is the gene editing discovery of CRISPR. The scientific discovery of CRISPR won the Nobel Prize in chemistry for Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier in 2020.
- Industrial Biotechnology
Industrial biotechnology is a branch of biotechnology focused on developing new processes that can be used in various sectors, such as food, energy, and textiles. This field uses technology to reduce the energy and natural resources needed to produce new processes.
Through industrial biotechnology, researchers can now use living cells derived from various sources, such as plants, bacteria, and yeast. These cells can then be used to create new products that consume less energy during their production.
Industrial biotechnology has already led to numerous developments. For instance, researchers used bacterial enzymes to make food products, such as pasta, and washing powder, which can be used to reduce artificial ingredients.
- Environmental and Agricultural Biotechnology
This field is focused on developing new technologies that can help farmers produce more vital crops and reduce the use of chemicals. Researchers in agricultural biotechnology are also expected to develop new technologies that can help improve crop yields and reduce the use of harmful chemicals.
In environmental biotechnology, the goal is to combine engineering and biology to develop processes that can help clean contaminated sites. Researchers in this field often use microbes, fungi, and bacteria as organic methods to remove environmental pollutants. They are also expected to develop new bioplastics that are more eco-friendly.
- Marine Biotechnology
Another type of biotechnology, commonly referred to as the fourth main type, is marine biotechnology. This field focuses on studying marine organisms that can be used to develop new medicines and food supplements for humans.
For instance, they can use the venom of cone snails to create a drug that can treat pain. One of the most exciting ideas in this field is the development of renewable energy sources, such as biofuels that can be made from microalgae. This process can be done without affecting the existing plants.