1. Uttam kumar
PhD scholar
Shobhit Institute of Engineering & Technology, Meerut
Enrolment no. -20220310034
Registration No. SU/PhD./Biotech/2022/08
EMERGING TRENDS IN
BIOTECHNOLOGY
2. INTRODUCTION :
Biotechnology is the use of the biology to develop new products, methods and
organisms intended to improve human health and society. Biotechnology, often
referred to as biotech, has existed since the beginning of civilization with the
domestication of plants, animals and the discovery of fermentation.
However, the discipline has evolved significantly over the last century in ways
that manipulate the genetic structures and biomolecular processes of living
organisms.
Modern applications of biotechnology work most often through genetic
engineering, which is also known as recombinant DNA technology based on
modifying the genetic cell structures.
By doing so, scientists can strengthen the characteristics of an organism or
create an entirely mew organism which may be beneficial to humans like
crops with higher yields or increased resistance to drought.
3. HISTORY OF BIOTECHNOLOGY :
Biotechnology began at least 6,000 years ago with the agricultural revolution.
This early era was characterized by exploiting living organisms in their natural
forms or modifying their genetic makeup through selective breeding.
Based on the work of the scientists, genetic engineering was developed in 1973.
This method is the foundation of modern biotechnology practices and recent
advances. It enabled the first direct manipulation of plant and animal genomes,
which is the complete set of genes present in a cell.
Over the last 100 years or so, biotechnology emerged with the following
discoveries and advancements:
1919 Karl Ereky coins the term biotechnology.
1943 Oswald Avery proves DNA carries genetic information.
1969 The first synthesis of an enzyme in vitro, or outside the body, is
conducted.
4. 1973 Herbert and Stanley develop genetic engineering with the first
insertion of DNA from one bacteria into another.
1980 The first biotech drugs to treat cancer are developed.
1983 The first genetically modified plant is introduced.
1993 GMOs are introduced into agriculture with the FDA approval of
growth hormones that produce more milk in cows.
1997 The first mammal is cloned.
1998 The first draft of the Human Genome Project is created.
2010 The first synthetic cell is created.
2013 The first bionic eye is created.
2020 MRNA vaccine and monoclonal antibody technology is used to
treat the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
5. EMERGING TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY :
ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE
AI enables biotechnology start-ups to
automate a wide range of processes,
helping them scale up their
operations.
For instance, biopharma startups
leverage AI to speed up the drug
discovery process, screening
biomarkers as well as scraping
through the scientific literature to
discover novel products.
Image classification algorithms allow
rapid detection of different traits, like
cancer cells from medical scans or
crop disease symptoms from leaf
images.
Further, startups are leveraging deep
learning to analyze micobiomes,
screen phenotypes, and develop rapid
diagnostics.
6. BIG DATA
There is an unprecented amount of
data available in biotechnology
today, from the ever-growing omics
technologies and integration of
sensors and the Internet of
Things(IoT) devices.
Big data and analytics solutions
allow biotechnology startups to tap
into this wealth of data to drive
innovation.
It allows biopharma companies to
recruit patients for clinical trials
more effectively.
7. GENE EDITING
This technique in biotechnology
inserts, removes, changes, or replaces
specific pieces of a person’s existing
DNA.
To treat diseases, scientists are
exploring ways to edit pieces of
DNA at precise spots along the gene.
The goal of gene editing is to change
the existing gene and correct
mutations where they occur.
CRISPR is the most common type of
editing.
With this innovation, scientists can
now modify genes or replace faulty
genes with healthy ones to
potentially treat, cure, or prevent a
disease or medical condition.
8. PRECISION MEDICINE
The approach to precision
medicine allows researchers
and doctors alike to predict
more accurate treatment and
preventive strategies for a
particular disease, usually in
groups of people.
The goal of this trend is to
reduce the risk of human
complications in the healthcare
industry.
Professionals in the field of
science are holding on to the
promise of precision medicine
as it expands in the future.
9. GENE SEQUENCING
The costs of DNA sequencing have
fallen by 5 orders of magnitude since
the early 2000s, opening up a wide
range of applications in the industry.
The reduced cost of sequencing whole
genomes allows the identification of
paediatric disorders, personalized
treatments, and setting up large cohorts
with extensive phenotyping.
Sequencing also presents a rapid and
inexpensive method to detect the
presence of microbes, ranging from the
detection of pathogens in clinical and
dairy samples to beneficial soil
microbes.
Biotechnology startups are innovating
with new sequencing technologies, as
well as novel applications for gene
sequencing.
10. BIOMANUFACTURING
This trend relies on naturally
occurring processes and reactions to
produce outputs such as chemicals,
materials, etc. that are normally
produced through a synthetic
process.
The most common biological
process of biomanufacturing is
fermentation.
The goal of this application in
biomanufacturing is to search for
ways to boost sustainability, reduce
energy consumption, and increase
innovation and productivity.
This trend is truly poised to continue
advancing.
11. BIOPRINTING
The relatively new technology is
an additive manufacturing process
like 3D printing.
The only difference is that
bioprinters print with cells or bio-
materials to create organ-like
structures that is beneficial to the
healthcare industry.
The grandiose potential of this
trend benefits several industries
including drug discovery,
regenerative and personalized
medicine.
As more researchers gauge the
latest bioprinting technology, the
developments will surely
breakthrough in the coming years.
12. SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
The principle of this trend is to
engineer new biological systems
or re-design existing ones for
useful purposes.
It involves manipulation of
biological compounds which are
then integrated into cells which are
chosen to provide suitable
experimental strategy.
Although there are hurdles to
overcome in this trend, its
potential still outweighs the
challenges.
It is capable of delivering new
solutions to agriculture, global
healthcare, manufacturing, and
many more.
13. CHALLENGES IN BIOTECH :
While biotech advancements promise to transform health, energy, and
agriculture, innovation is a complex undertaking. Several challenges impede
the growth of biotech and its implementation for the public:
Biotech Costs
Biotech research is costly and often takes several years. Firms must invest
heavily in research, development, and regulatory approval before bringing a
drug to market. As the pandemic continues to disrupt supply chains, product
costs remain high, compounding the problem.
Regulatory Concerns
There are numerous regulations that apply to the biotech industry. While some
restrictions were relaxed for COVID-19 research to reduce the compliance
burden, biotech-friendly exceptions are unlikely to continue in the future.
14. Talent Shortage
The biotech industry must hire experts at the top of their fields. And as the
pandemic continues, the pressure for new therapies and vaccines escalates. But
finding top talent is an ongoing challenge for the biotech companies. The
talent shortage has led to companies outsourcing work in addition to relying
on in-house talent to meet demand.
Inadequate Technology
Biotech requires cutting-edge technology and also produces advanced
technological solutions as its end product – but outdated systems or methods
can interfere with innovation. Technological inadequacy presents a complex
hurdle when developing biologically effective solutions to pressing problems.
15. SUMMARY :
Biotechnology advancement is paramount if we hope to affect global change
across the food, health, industry, and agriculture sectors.
As the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted, the need for rapid response is
crucial to combat disease, now more than ever.
Despite challenges, biotechnology continues to move forward.
The development of breakthrough health initiatives from biotech will transform
the future by tackling global problems which includes diseases, environmental
pollution, and food management.
