Microbial Biotechnology

Last post about applications! It has a smart-sounding title too :)

Be able to define biotechnology, bioremediation (natural and artificial), biosensors, biopesticides/bioinsecticides, bioreactors.
Understand the basic principles and uses of the above.

Biotechnology is basically using microorganisms to do stuff. Yay :)

Bioremediation

One form of biotechnology is bioremediation, which is essentially using microorganisms to fix some kind of environmental problem. Some microbes eat up toxic compounds so they are good for cleaning up things. For example, in the Exxon Valdez oil spill of 1989, nitrogen and phosphorus fertiliser was added in order to increase the number of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria. This helped significantly in cleaning up the spill. There are two main types of bioremediation: natural, in which organisms already present are encouraged to speed up their degradation activities (as in the case of the oil spill), and artificial, in which microorganisms are genetically modified in order to give them the ability to degrade toxic compounds. Unfortunately there are currently no major success stories in artificial bioremediation- perhaps organisms genetically modified in the laboratory are not as well equipped to survive out "in the wild."

Biosensors

Another form of biotechnology is biosensor technology. Biosensors have two components: a biological component, which senses stuff, and a physicochemical component, which converts whatever the sensor has found into a signal that can be detected. Some biosensors used to detect pollutants are based on luminescent cells. For example, luminescent E. coli can be used to test for pollutants- if alive, they will emit light, but not if they are dead.

Biopesticides/Bioinsecticides

In this form of biotechnology, microorganisms are used to kill pests. Toxin genes from these microorganisms can also be cloned into plants to kill the pests that would otherwise eat them. In turn, this cuts down on the amount of pesticide that needs to be sprayed on crops to keep them healthy.

Bioreactors

Bioreactors, also known as fermenters, are large vessels in which microorganisms can be farmed for industrial use. They have sensors to provide information and pumps in which oxygen and nutrients can be supplied.

Be able to list major industrial products made by recombinant bacteria and their uses.

This is only a short list just to give you an idea- it's definitely not exhaustive.

• Cotton- Often produced by plants with a Bt gene (one of the genes that produces a protein that is toxic to pests).
• Jeans- The faded look on jeans is often produced from cellulase, which loosens dye particles form the cellulose fibres of cotton. Cellulase genes from fungi are cloned into bacteria. The dye itself is produced from indole, which in turn is converted to indigo through the use of a gene cloned from Pseudomonas to E. coli.
• Some plastic- Some bacteria produce polyhydroxyalkanoate granules, which may provide a more environmentally friendly alternative to plastic.
• Hormone replacement products
• Antibiotics and vaccines
• Laundry detergent- Often contains enzymes such as amylase and protease in order to remove specific stains.