Biotechnology -Application in Medicine |Genetically Engineered Insuline |Class 12 Biology/NEET/AIIMS

Summary

This video delves into the fascinating world of biotechnology, exploring its applications in medicine, agriculture, and industry. Key highlights include the production of insulin through recombinant DNA technology, where bacteria like *E. coli* are genetically engineered to produce human insulin. The video also covers the challenges faced in biotechnological processes, such as ensuring successful genetic transformation, and how biotechnology is revolutionizing the creation of life-saving medicines, biofuels, and genetically modified crops. A thorough yet accessible introduction to how biotechnology is changing our world.

Takeaways

• 😀 Biotechnology has applications in both medicine and agriculture, offering solutions to global challenges.
• 😀 Insulin production is one of the key medical applications of biotechnology, revolutionizing diabetes treatment.
• 😀 Traditional insulin production methods involved extracting insulin from animals, but biotechnology now allows for recombinant insulin production using bacteria.
• 😀 Recombinant DNA technology enables bacteria like *E. coli* to produce insulin by inserting the gene responsible for insulin production.
• 😀 Biotechnology allows for more cost-effective and efficient insulin production compared to older methods, saving millions of lives worldwide.
• 😀 In agriculture, biotechnology is used to create genetically modified crops that are more resistant to pests and diseases.
• 😀 Biotech advancements in agriculture help improve crop yields and nutritional content, addressing global food security challenges.
• 😀 Biopesticides and improved soil health are some sustainable agricultural practices made possible by biotechnology.
• 😀 Biotechnology in agriculture plays a crucial role in ensuring food security and reducing environmental impacts from farming.
• 😀 Despite its potential, biotechnology faces challenges, including safety concerns and ethical issues surrounding genetic modification.
• 😀 Ongoing research and regulation are crucial to maximizing the benefits of biotechnology while addressing its risks and concerns.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the video script?

The video discusses the application of biotechnology in medicine, particularly focusing on the production of insulin through recombinant DNA technology and its relevance in treating diabetes.

How was insulin produced before the advancements in biotechnology?

Before biotechnology advancements, insulin was isolated from the stomachs of animals. This process involved slaughtering animals and extracting insulin from them, which was a more invasive and less efficient method.

What role does biotechnology play in insulin production?

Biotechnology allows for the production of insulin through recombinant DNA technology, where *E. coli* bacteria are genetically modified to produce insulin. This method is more efficient and eliminates the need for animal-based insulin extraction.

What is recombinant DNA technology, and how is it used in insulin production?

Recombinant DNA technology involves inserting a gene into a vector, like *E. coli* bacteria, to produce a desired protein—in this case, insulin. The bacteria then multiply and produce insulin, which can be harvested and purified for medical use.

What is the role of plasmids in genetic transformation?

Plasmids are small, circular DNA molecules used as vectors to introduce foreign genes into bacterial cells. In the context of insulin production, the plasmid carries the insulin gene, allowing the bacteria to produce insulin when they replicate.

What is a vector, and which one is mentioned in the script?

A vector is a DNA molecule used to transfer genetic material into a cell. In the script, *E. coli* is mentioned as the vector used to carry the insulin gene and facilitate its expression in bacterial cells.

What is the significance of using *E. coli* in insulin production?

*E. coli* is commonly used in biotechnology because it can be easily genetically modified and cultured in large quantities, making it an ideal host for producing recombinant proteins like insulin.

What is the process of transforming *E. coli* cells?

Transformation involves introducing the recombinant plasmid containing the insulin gene into *E. coli* cells. This can be done by methods like heat shock or electroporation, allowing the bacteria to take up the plasmid and begin producing insulin.

How are transformed cells selected in the process?

Transformed cells are selected using antibiotics. The plasmid used in the transformation contains a gene for antibiotic resistance, ensuring that only the bacteria that successfully incorporated the plasmid will survive and multiply.

What happens after the transformed *E. coli* cells are cultured?

After the transformed *E. coli* cells are cultured, they replicate and produce insulin. The cells are then harvested, and the insulin is purified for medical use, providing a more efficient and reliable method of insulin production compared to earlier techniques.