What is biotechnology and what does it do?

Can you imagine walking through a forest illuminated by trees that glow in the dark without the need to consume electricity? Or that, if you ever needed it, your doctor could replicate and print your organs on a 3D printer to save your life. And perhaps, the greatest irony would be found in the fact that certain organisms despised by humanity due to their danger, such as viruses, ended up becoming our allies to generate energy more efficiently. All these facts could cease to be part of fiction thanks to biotechnology.

What is biotechnology?

Biotechnology is the branch of science that is based on the use of natural biological processes that occur in living organisms to develop products and services that benefit humanity. It is a tool that allows the manipulation of living organisms, molecules and cells to create useful products and services in various industries.

It is a relatively new science compared to other scientific disciplines, although biotechnology techniques have been used unconsciously by humans for thousands of years. For example, fermentation of foods and beverages, such as bread, beer, and wine, has been used for over 7,000 years. Plant and animal selection and selective breeding techniques have also been used for centuries to obtain more resistant or productive varieties.

However, it was in the 20th century, when biotechnology experienced a breakthrough with the discovery of DNA and its molecular structure. Since then, increasingly precise and sophisticated techniques have been developed, such as genetic manipulation and molecular biology. Biotechnology brings valuable benefits to society and is used in a wide variety of fields, such as agriculture, the food industry, medicine, energy and many other areas.

Today, in general terms, two main approaches to biotechnology can be distinguished: the approach based on the use of natural biological processes and the approach based on genetic engineering.

Designing the future with biotechnology: surprising applications of biotechnology in everyday life

Some examples of biotechnology, which we can find in our day to day, are the production of fermented foods. The use of microorganisms such as bacteria and yeasts to ferment foods that give rise to cheese, yogurt or bread, are the result of the biological approach of biotechnology.

Like the production of biofuels such as bioethanol or microorganisms that are used to degrade toxic substances from the soil and water. Even tissue culture techniques to produce certain types of bioactive compounds in plants that are later used in medicines.

Within this approach is also the 3D printing of human organs, which has become one of the most promising research areas in biotechnology. 3D printing organs involves creating a three-dimensional structure from human cells using 3D printing technology. Researchers can 3D print cells and structures using biocompatible materials and biomaterials. In this way, the printed tissues could be used to repair damaged tissue and, ultimately, to replace entire organs.

On the other hand, when we refer to the approach based on genetic engineering, we would be referring to techniques that are based on the direct manipulation of the genetic material of organisms, in order to modify their characteristics and develop new products and services. A common example would be for the development of GM crops that are resistant to pests and diseases, thus reducing the need for pesticides or more nutritious and can help combat malnutrition.

Also, in the medical field, gene editing techniques are used to correct mutations in patients’ DNA and treat diseases such as sickle cell anemia, muscular dystrophy, and other ailments. Within this same scope, mammalian cells or microorganisms can be modified to produce human proteins in large quantities for use in drugs and use in therapies.

Even in the telecommunications sector, advances in biotechnology have enabled the production of higher quality and purer materials used in the manufacture of fiber optics. Even on our screens! It is known that certain microbes can produce conductive materials, such as graphene, which are used in the manufacture of electronic components such as touch screens and solar panels.

And as we mentioned above, scientists are working on creating trees that glow in the dark thanks to the incorporation of bioluminescent genes from jellyfish and fireflies. These illuminated plants have been shown to be capable of emitting constant light for several weeks without the need for an external power source. These trees could be used to illuminate streets and parks without the need to consume electricity. While more research is still needed, bioluminescent trees may be a sustainable solution for night lighting in the future.

Conclusion

In general, biotechnology has had a great impact on our society for many years, improving people’s quality of life and helping to solve important environmental and health problems. In addition, biotechnology has enormous potential to boost economic growth, as it is a field that is constantly evolving and offers a large number of employment and investment opportunities.

That is why it is essential to continue investing in research and development, to regulate and establish ethical standards for its use, to bet on new technologies to be able to continue advancing in this area and for collaboration between different sectors, such as industry, R&D, education, among others in order to take advantage of its full potential.

Biotechnology is expected to play a fundamental role in solving the most urgent global challenges, such as the climate crisis, food security, the aging of the population and in the development of the digital economy, since it will allow the creation of products and innovative services in sectors such as health, energy and telecommunications.

Who knows and maybe in a few years we will find ourselves taking a walk among bioluminescent trees thanks to the fact that a printed organ in a hospital room has saved our lives.