Week 1 io Eng.docVIP

Bioengineering 101, 102 Chapter 1 The nature of biotechnology Biotechnology is an area of applied bioscience and technology which involves the practical application of biological organisms processes to manufacturing service industries and to environmental management. It has two characteristic features: its connection with practical applications, and interdisciplinary cooperation. The practitioners of biotechnology will employ techniques derived from chemistry, microbiology, genetics, biochemistry, chemical engineering and computer science, their main mission will be innovation, development optimal operation of processes in which biochemical catalysis has a fundamental irreplaceable role. Biotechnology utilizes bacteria, yeasts, fungi, algae, plant cells or animal cells as components of industrial processes. Biotechnological processes, involve the production of cells or biomass, and the achievement of desired chemical transformations such as: a) Formation of a desired end product e.g. enzyme, antibiotics b) Decomposition of a given starting material e.g. sewage disposal, destruction of industrial wastes or oil spillages. The reactions of biotechnology processes can be catabolic, in which complex compounds are broken down to simpler ones (glucose to ethanol) or anabolic (biosynthetic) whereby simple molecules are built up into more complex ones (antibiotic synthesis) Biotechnology includes: - Fermentation processes (beers, wines, bread, cheese, antibiotics, vaccines), - Water and waste treatment, - Part of food technology, and - increasing range of novel applications from biomedical to metal recovery from low grade ores. Historical evolution of biotechnology Biotechnology is not a new invention; it dates far back into history. Four major developmental phases in arriving at modern biotechnological systems: Food beverage production- e.g. cheese, yogurt, soy sauce, wine, Non-sterile biote