Let’s begin with a simple definition: Biotechnology uses living organisms or their components—think DNA and proteins—to solve problems. Biotechnology addresses our largest global challenges in healthcare, agriculture, the environment, and industry. In this week’s Primer, we list our top two biotech picks for each sector and the amazing discoveries each technology enabled, which changed the trajectory of humankind.

Healthcare

Two standout technologies that have transformed the healthcare industry are:

• Genetic engineering to modify an organism’s DNA.
• Cell culture to grow cells in a laboratory setting.

Biotech in Healthcare

Healthcare encompasses a range of innovative applications that use genetic engineering and cell culture. Some examples include the production of human insulin in bacteria, the development of gene therapies for rare diseases such as sickle cell disease, the creation of monoclonal antibodies for precise cancer treatment, and the advancement of traditional and mRNA vaccines like the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines. These groundbreaking advancements in biotechnology are instrumental in improving healthcare outcomes and addressing a variety of medical conditions.

Agriculture

Our top biotechnology tools used in agriculture include:

• Molecular breeding to manipulate DNA to speed plant breeding.
• Marker-assisted selection to select plants with desirable traits using DNA analysis.

Biotech in Agriculture

Agbiotech uses molecular breeding and marker-assisted selection in a variety of ways to improve crop productivity, nutrition, and sustainability to reduce food insecurity and malnutrition. Genetically engineered seed varieties were commercially introduced in the United States in 1996, and adoption rates for these crops increased rapidly. Today, more than 90 percent of U.S. corn, cotton, soybeans, canola, and sugar beets are produced using genetically engineered varieties. A meta-analysis concluded that adopting molecular breeding and marker-assisted selection technology had reduced chemical pesticide use by 37%, increased crop yields by 22%, and increased farmer profits by 68%.

Environment

Two groundbreaking techniques that use biotech principles include:

• Bioremediation to break down chemicals using microbes.
• Gasification to convert biomass into ethanol and other fuels.

Biotech In The Environment

Biotechnology not only tackles environmental challenges but also plays a vital role in renewable energy. Microorganisms are harnessed to degrade pollutants in soil and water, as demonstrated in the cleanup efforts following events like the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989. Gasification is a unique process that converts biomass directly into liquid fuels, known as “biofuels.” These serve as a crucial resource in meeting global transportation fuel demands. Among the widely used biofuels today, ethanol and biodiesel stand out as the primary choices for powering a sustainable future.

Industrial Manufacturing

Our top two notable biotech innovations in industrial manufacturing include:

• Metabolic engineering to increase an organism’s production of a particular substance.
• Synthetic biology to create organisms that generate specific chemicals.

Biotech in Industry

Industrial manufacturing has harnessed the power of biotechnology to produce sustainable products while reducing reliance on nonrenewable resources. One prominent example is the development of bioplastics like polylactic acid (PLA), which offer a renewable and biodegradable alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics. Furthermore, using microorganisms to create enzymes and specialty chemicals exemplifies another successful application of biotechnology in sustainable industrial practices. Industrial manufacturing increasingly embraces eco-friendly biotech processes that minimize environmental impact and promote long-term sustainability.

What the Heck is Biotech?

Learn the science behind these biotech techniques by taking our Biology of Biotech microcourse. Click here to get the details.