Biotechnology - KU Leuven

BiotechnologyBio = Biology

Technology = Application

“The application of Biology”

Molecular Biotechnology

Dolly and surrogate Mom

Genetically modified rice.

Embryonic stem cells and gene therapy

A gene is a DNA segment that encodes a specific protein that contributes to expression of a trait.

mRNA protein trait

transcriptiontranslation

expression

The biology…….

Route to the Production by Bacteria of Human Insulin

The technology…….

Route to the Production by Bacteria of Human Insulin

A fermentor used to grow recombinant bacteria.

This is the step when gene cloning takes place.

The single recombinant plasmid replicates within a cell.

Then the single cell with many recombinant plasmids produces trillions of like cells with recombinant plasmid – and the human insulin gene.

One cell with the recombinant plasmid

The insulin protein expressed from the recombinant human insulin gene in bacteria.

Biotechnology and Health

Product Use

Insulin Diabetes

Interferon Cancer

Interleukin Cancer

Human growth hormone Dwarfism

Neuroactive proteins Pain

1953 - double helical structure of DNA published in Nature by Watson and Crick*

1980 - the U.S. patent for cloning genes is awarded to Cohen and Boyer**

First biotech companies formed: 1976 - Genentech1978 - Biogen1980 - Amgen 1981 - Immunex1981 - Chiron1981 - Genzyme

*Nature 171, 737(April 2, 1953)**Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1973 Nov;70(11):3240-4 and Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1974 May;71(5):1743-7

The industry is only 35 years old…it takes time!

History of Biotechnology

Biology

Cell Nucleus (eukaryotes)

Chromosome

Protein Gene (DNA)Gene (mRNA), single strand

Biotechnologie• Rode biotechnologie

– Stamcellen– Moleculaire therapie– Genoom op datastick

• Groene biotechnologie– Transgene gewassen

• Witte biotechnologie– Bio-brandstoffen– Industriële enzymen

Biotechnologie• Rode biotechnologie

– Stamcellen– Moleculaire therapie– Genoom op datastick

• Groene biotechnologie– Transgene gewassen

• Witte biotechnologie– Bio-brandstoffen– Industriële enzymen

induced pluripotent cells (iPSC)A combination of several genes can re-program skin fibroblasts into pluripotent cells

(Takahashi and Yamanaka Cell 2007, Yu Science 07, Cowan Science 07, Wernig Nature 07, Okita Nature 07)

Why iPSC can not replace ESC research:1) Studying ESCs is critical for understanding iPSCs2) iPSCs are induced by cancer genes therefore hinder their

use for therapies

“Reprogramming”

Next generation sequencing technology• Sequencing human genome: 13 jaar/ 3 miljard dollar• Genome Watson: 20 mensen/2 maanden. Totaalprijs

1.000.000 dollar• Te verwachten: 1000 dollar human genome

Technological advances

A Daunting Challenge

Vascular markers present

HER-2/NEU receptor

Her2 gene

Growth factor

Growth receptor present

High risk of relapse

Not good candidate for conventional therapyMutated susceptibility genes

Biotechnologie• Rode biotechnologie

– Stamcellen– Moleculaire therapie– Genoom op datastick

• Groene biotechnologie– Transgene gewassen

• Witte biotechnologie– Bio-brandstoffen– Industriële enzymen

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Plant biotechnology definition:

A precise process in which scientific techniques are used to develop useful and beneficial plants.

What is plant biotechnology?

Desired gene

Traditional plant breedingDNA is a strand of genes, much like a strand of pearls. Traditional plant breeding combines many genes at once.

Traditional donor Commercial variety New variety

Desired GeneX =

(crosses)

(many genes are transferred)

Plant biotechnologyUsing plant biotechnology, a single gene may be added to the strand.

Desired gene Commercial variety New variety

(transfers)

=

Desired gene

(only desired gene is transferred)

What crops were developed from these plants?

corn carrot lettuce

What crops were developed from these plants?

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Source: C.S. Prakash, Center for Plant Biotechnology Research, Tuskegee University, Alabama

Agricultural yield increases are declining

Developing countries World Developed countries0

1

2

3

Per

cent

age

per y

ear

1967–19821982–19941995–2020

Agriculture Products On the Market

Source: USDA

Insect resistant cotton

Insect resistant corn

Normal Transgenic

Bt toxin kills the cotton boll worm toxin gene from a bacteria

Bt toxin kills the European corn borer toxin gene from a bacteria Rootworm GM approved

Genetically Modified Crops

Genetically Modified Cotton (contains a bacterial gene for pest

resistance)

Standard Cotton

Biotechnologie• Rode biotechnologie

– Stamcellen– Moleculaire therapie– Genoom op datastick

• Groene biotechnologie– Transgene gewassen

• Witte biotechnologie– Bio-brandstoffen– Industriële enzymen

New food enzyme used during cheese making process

Chymosin (1990)

First biotechnology food product approved in the United States

9.

Biotechnology Beakthroughs

Biotech chymosin

Source: Rent Mother Nature

Source: Chr. Hansen

Bacterial and Animal Biotechnology Products

enzyme used to curdle milk products gene from yeast harvested from GE bacteria replaces the calf enzyme

increases milk production gene from cow protein harvested from GE bacteria replaces cow protein originally

harvested from pituitary glandsof slaughtered cows

bST (bovine somatotropin)

Synthetic BiologyWhat is Synthetic Biology?

It is an emerging field of biology that aims at designing and building novel biological systems.

The final goal is to be able to design biological systems in the same way engineers design electronic or mechanical systems.

Answers depends upon your perspectiveon the value of the technology

What will support your opinion? • Economics• Safety of products• Needs of human

The Question for the Future:Should We Live A Biotech Free Lifestyle??