Introduction
Biotechnology is one of the fields of science that offers human beings a brighter future. This is because it presents some of the possible solutions to all the problems that are faced by people today. For example, all processes involved in the production of medicine would be developed through analytical studies in biotechnology and research. This means that there should be efforts that are aimed at the promotion of this field so that we can be in a position of solving most of these problems. In this paper, we shall discuss a number of issues that prove that there is a great deal of biotechnology around us, and the reason why we should ensure that everything is studied with biotechnology so that we may end up improving the living conditions of man.
Extremophiles and Biotechnology
Today, there have been a lot of developments and advancements in the field of biotechnology. This has seen the use of extremophiles being used in biotechnological industries in a number of ways. Extremophiles are smaller microorganisms that have the capability of thriving in an environment, which has extremes of temperatures. This means that all the other creatures living in such conditions would eventually die, even in the shortest time durations. Some of these organisms would be some bacterial organisms, archaea, and some protists. These can live in conditions that are extremely hot. Because of that, there has been their utilization in industrial activities.
For example, since they can thrive in high temperatures, bacterial from the Staphylococcus species have been used in the production of enzymes for effective laboratory application. The Coccus genus has an outer exoskeleton, which is resistive to extreme temperatures. Thermus aquaticus is another species of microbe that has been widely used in the industrial production of medicines through Polymerase Chain Reaction, PCR. Scientists have been spending a lot of money on the study of enzyme characteristics of extremophiles. Many industries have been trying to use their enzymes in the production of products such as artificial sweeteners, some stonewashed for blue jeans, and in the advanced identification of genes make-ups in criminals. Scientists are also optimistic that all enzymes contained in extremophiles can effectively replace all other enzymes that have been used in industries since they would be more effective. The other issues are with some sewage clean-ups through which these thermophiles can be used in the degradation of the waste which generates a lot of heat.
Protein Therapeutic Agents
Today, there have been a lot of improvements in the manner through which protein therapeutic agents are being developed. This has led to the production of vaccines against a number of infections affecting man. The experimental approach applied is quite complex. This includes an invention from the use of genetically improved or modified plants and their progenies. Some of the major derivatives or plant-oriented, and a good example was a mucosal vaccine that was used against SARS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. The experimental approach will relate to the recombinant vectors which will transform in a given manner. This would be limited the plastids and nuclei of the plant being used. What this means is that the overall production of the protein therapeutic agents is something that will be achieved through the use of plants that have certain characteristics.
The increased demand for therapeutic proteins has been exceeding the current rate of production and capabilities. The production of therapeutic proteins which is also done from the mammalian systems has been also on the rise. The major way to produce these proteins is through the use of Chinese Hamster Ovary, CHO, cells. There can also be the use of some other types of cells like the myelomas, NSO, and the SP2/0, also Baby Hamster Kidney, BHK, can also be used among others. These cells will have to be cultured and the epithelial tumors will be reacted through the use of laboratory mediums. Some cultivated cells from mammalians have as well been found useful in the clinical production of these recombinant proteins since they can give proper folding of proteins, the assembly as well as with post-translational modes of modification. The major issues associated with this production are either economical or ethical.
Some people have been against the practice when animal organs and cells are being used. There are also several theories that may end up having adverse effects on patients upon use. Also, with tobacco being one of the other plants commonly used, there have been issues that it may result in the transmission of nicotine and the reason some religious groups have been against their use. There has been an increase in demand that the rates of production hence calling researchers to improve their production strategies. The other thing is with economic interferences hence reducing their production. The production of vaccines from these therapeutic proteins has also received a number of views from different societies. There have been indications that they may be ineffective and end up having side effects on the user.
Another important thing that should be noted is that there are a number of factors that would influence proteins at both high and low temperatures. The first one is the solubility of the solvent in which the proteins are. As well the nature of solvent would also have greater impacts on proteins. This means that, at both low and high temperatures, the solvent should be greatly influenced. As well, the temperatures themselves also have a greater influence on the proteins in which they function better at optimum temperatures. The so-called induction temperatures would also have adverse impacts on the proteins, the pH in which the cultivation medium has been placed at. The proteolytic level expression and sensitiveness are also known to affect proteins at both low and high temperatures.
RDX, Diesel, and Heavy Metal Remediation
In a given environment where there have been contaminations with residues of the explosive RDX, diesel, and heavy metal lead, there are several techniques that can be applied in reclamation of the place. The RDX contamination is widespread but at low concentrations, the diesel is in a mobile plume spreading over a third of the site and the lead is at high concentration but restricted to a small area. This is something that can be done effectively through biotechnological applications. Soil or water that has been contaminated with Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine, also known as RDX, can be a great environmental hazard and problem (Seeman, 2001). The best way through which remediation can be done is through the use of valent-zero iron, Fe- 0. This will be applied in the area and integrate the use of inhibitors so as to promote their activity. The other method that can be applied is the use of nitramine metabolites which can result in the breakdown of the RDX.
Since the area is also contaminated with heavy lead deposition though in a small area, it would be necessary to use bacterial organisms which would effectively transform the lead-heavy depositions ions into insoluble, and lesser toxic forms which would cause great harm or threats on the organisms living there. This would be done over a long duration of time. Diesel contamination is something else that can be so detrimental and the reason a remediation strategy is important. Due to the very small polyaromatics and the complexity known to be posed by diesel oils, the soil that has been contaminated with diesel can be difficult to give remedy through the use of biofuel techniques; therefore, the best technique that can be used here is through the use of Two-Liquid Phase, TLP, system which has been known to be effective in removal and remediation of diesel polluted area. This integrates the use of a liquid to water and which would dissolve all hydrophobic compounds that are in the soil other than the surfactants available.
Materials/Biology Interface
So as to have a successful re-implementation of any biological applications, it is necessary to complete the fundamental knowledge of biology interfaces. These are used as tools in the control and management of common diseases and implantations on human beings. They also help researchers in medical advancements and the designing of disease sensors in the body. One of how interfaces would be designed would be through the use of synthetic organs and structures through the adoption of flexible electronics. This design targets some specific interfaces and interfaces through the employment of suitable strategies.
To address microbial-cellular adhesion in reducing the implantation of infections, the main focus should be in the manner in patterning and the self-assembly of surfaces modified with arrays that can effectively orient the proteins as well as the biological membranes. This way we shall have assembled effective cell component surfaces, which would be tailored with the appropriate receptors in bringing about sensory characteristics hence resulting in the impediment of any form of implantation on the surfaces.
Drug Discovery and Design: Protein Therapeutics
Protein discovery will be known as the very first step towards the discovery of drugs. Over the past years, they have been new technologies as well as methodologies that can give us appropriate imaging of proteins and understanding their functions as a manner of drug development. These include the use of bioinformatics, use of x-ray crystallography as well as protein microarrays. The first stage is research work. During this period, there are thousands of chemicals and substances that have to be developed, screened, and examined. The other one is the development stage, which may take even 3-10 years. Here, substances will be tested, but invitro and invivo. This would determine their efficacy with the human body. From there we have the pre-clinical analysis and testing. This may be done with laboratory animals and later with human beings. Clinical testing can be conducted in a number of three phases. This reduces the number of substances being tested. Finally, the found drug will be registered and introduced into the market.
With the production of therapeutic proteins, the experimental approach will relate to the recombinant vectors, which will transform in a given manner. This would be limited the plastids and nuclei of the plant being used. What this means is that the overall production of the protein therapeutic agents is something that will be achieved through the use of plants, which have certain characteristics. However, the procedure for these substances is quite different since not many phases are used, but a keen analysis of a given protein would later be found effective and be used as a drug.
Bioremediation Strategy: Oil Storage Facility
When an area is used for oil operations, chances are very high that the area would be greatly contaminated with oil compounds. In order to give a remedy, there should be an appropriate application of bio-remedy that would integrate the use of biological substances, which would effectively reduce the volumes of the oil depositions. The first use is to use bio-molecules and microbes that can reduce the toxicity of the compounds. Some kind of biologically derived detergents would also be used, and especially where there are nearby rivers and water contaminations.
The major preliminary investigations would be determining the percentage of contaminants available, some of the causes, and the manner in which the bioremediation would work out. This would look at the possible impacts of the method on the organisms that are in the area. The major factors affecting the success of the strategy would be dependent on issues to do with capital, money, the environment, the cohesiveness of the operational groups, and the environmental characteristics. For example, some cold areas might require complex operations ad different biological techniques. There should also be a great influence on the biological substances and organisms used for the remediation process.
Nanotechnology and DNA
Nanotechnology is a study in which matter is controlled on its molecular or atomic scale. Generally, nanotechnology will be dealing with structures that are about 100 nanometers and even less. This would result in the development of devices and materials of similar sizes. Two major principles would be applied. The first one is known as the top-down. Here, the devices are assembled from entities that are larger and won’t use atomic controls. There is also the chemical principle or approach through what is known as molecular recognition. Other principles have been applied in areas such as nanomechanics, nanoelectronics, and nanophotonics. These were the major foundations of this field of nanotechnology.
We cannot talk of nanotechnology without DNA in biotechnology. This would seek in identifying the DNA and properties of all other nucleic substances and acids. The DNA here will be used or applied as the structural material instead of its general role as a carrier for the genetic information. This becomes an exact form of bionanotechnology. DNA bionanotechnology would be applied in the computation of the DNA assemblies so as to come up with controllable structures for advanced medical research.
Conclusion
Through more and more research, we shall be in a position of addressing all the problems faced by man today. We will be in a position of coming up with appropriate results in addressing the majority of the problems faced by man today. For example, the issue of reclaiming land that has been deposited with heavy metals and petroleum products. It can also be easy to come up with vaccines, which can help us in the treatment of all the diseases facing man today. Once that has been effectively done, the living conditions of man would be improved, and this would lead to better performances of the economy. People will be able to address all the deadly diseases and achieve overall human progression. Therefore, it is no doubt that biotechnology is a very important field for humankind today.
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