Role in Science and Interdisciplinary Status
Biotechnology is recognized as a leading discipline that sets the developmental trajectory of medicine for decades to come. Historically, it originated within microbiology and is a direct evolutionary continuation of "technical microbiology." For this reason, the fundamentals of biotechnology are traditionally taught within departments of microbiology and immunology.
The pioneer of this field is Louis Pasteur, whose discovery of the enzymatic nature of fermentation laid the foundation for controlling microbial activity.
Modern biotechnology is a strictly integrative field of knowledge. It emerged and successfully develops at the intersection of several major disciplines:
- Microbiology;
- Molecular biology and genetic engineering;
- Immunology;
- Chemical technology.
Essence, Prerequisites, and Objectives
The fundamental basis of biotechnology is the study of the life processes of organisms. The primary prerequisite for the rapid development of this science has been society's acute need for fundamentally new technologies, as well as the necessity to reduce the cost of products for national economies, medicine, and veterinary science.
Global objectives of biotechnology:
- Industrial production of target products from biological objects or through their direct application.
- Reproduction of specific biological effects, including those not found in the natural environment.
Biological Production Objects
To achieve these objectives, biotechnologists utilize various forms of life. Most commonly, the primary objects are unicellular microorganisms. Isolated animal and plant cells are also actively used. Whole animal organs or intact plants are involved in the production process significantly less often.
The choice of cellular structures as a production base is intentional. Cells function as miniature "biofactories." They are capable of synthesizing a colossal spectrum of valuable substances that cannot yet be obtained by other (non-biotechnological) means. These substances include:
- Proteins, fats, and carbohydrates;
- Amino acids and vitamins;
- Antibiotics;
- Hormones and enzymes;
- Antibodies.
Advantages and Economic Efficiency
In addition to unique synthetic capabilities, the choice of microorganisms and cells is driven by their high reproduction rate. This allows for the rapid scaling of biomass on a massive industrial scale.
| Cell Type | Division (Doubling) Rate |
|---|---|
| Bacterial cell | 20–60 minutes |
| Yeast cell | 1.5–2 hours |
| Animal cell | 24 hours |
The third key factor is economic efficiency. Biological synthesis of complex structures (such as antigens, antibiotics, and proteins) is significantly cheaper and more technologically accessible than their artificial chemical synthesis.
A major advantage is the raw material base used. Biotechnology utilizes cheap, readily available, and non-deficit raw materials, often waste products from the food, fishing, and agricultural industries: molasses, wood, yeast, and fish meal. This makes biotechnological production not only economically profitable but also ecologically sound.