Today, technology is rapidly advancing, including in the field of science. One notable technological advancement in science is the innovation of biological technology. However, biological technology innovation, also known as biotechnology, has been around for a long time. This innovation dates back approximately 6000 years ago and has been used to produce food such as tempeh, bread, and cheese.
This article will delve deeper into the innovation of biological technology, from its definition to its innovations.
Biological Technology
The field of biological technology is rapidly evolving and offers various solutions to address challenges. These solutions range from health to food needs. Understanding biological technology can help us comprehend and appreciate its role in enhancing human life.
Definition of Biological Technology
Biological technology innovation involves the use of biological fundamentals to develop a product or process aimed at advancing human life. Biological technology innovation utilizes new methods in molecular biology, genetic engineering, gene therapy, and a deeper understanding of biological systems.
These innovations can be applied in various fields, including health, environment, and industry. This technology also plays a role in optimizing and creating more efficient and environmentally friendly solutions.
12 Examples of Biological Technology
The development of biological technology brings about new innovations beneficial to human life. To understand examples of innovation from biological technology, one can study one branch of biology known as biotechnology.
1. Biological Technology Innovation in the Health Sector
Through various discoveries and innovations, biological technology plays a significant role in the healthcare sector. Innovations include new drugs and genetic therapies. With these innovations, the quality of modern human life can be maintained.
Genetic engineering technology is one of the most popularly used in drug development. With this technology, advancements proceed more quickly and effectively. Furthermore, in gene therapy, these advancements have enabled the treatment of genetic and chronic diseases. One example is cancer treatment, which has advanced rapidly through immunotherapy utilizing the patient’s immune system.
2. Biological Technology Innovation in the Beauty Sector
Biological technology is used in the beauty industry to produce safe beauty products, such as the use of peptides and enzymes for skincare. Additionally, research on cell regeneration and DNA is utilized in biological technology to develop more advanced anti-aging products. Biofermentation is also utilized to produce active ingredients in beauty products.
Biological technology in the beauty industry can be a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution to enhance product quality.
3. Biological Technology Innovation in the Marine Sector
By harnessing active compounds from marine organisms, biological technology innovations in the marine sector will produce bioremediation products, biofouling control, and skincare.
Additionally, biological technology innovations in the marine sector include the use of biotechnology for marine ecosystem conservation, marine biodiversity monitoring, and sustainable marine resource development.
Other examples include using environmental DNA to track species, developing microbes to reduce marine pollution, and creating new drugs derived from marine resources.
4. Biological Technology Innovation in Agriculture
Biological technology in agriculture can help farmers produce larger harvests and make crops more resistant to diseases and pests. Additionally, this technology can be used to develop crop varieties that are more resistant to extreme environmental conditions, which can reduce the risk of crop failure and increase food security.
Biological technology is also crucial in the development of agricultural methods. The use of biopesticides and biofertilizers, for example, is more environmentally friendly than using chemicals.
5. Biological Technology Innovation in Food
Improving productivity and efficiency in food production is evidence of biological technology innovation in the food sector. The development of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) is a crucial component in ensuring food security.
Fermentation technology also transforms food production, such as making yogurt and cheese. Biological technology also enables the production of alternative foods, such as synthetic meat, which can reduce the environmental impact of conventional farming.
Biological technology plays a crucial role in ensuring the sustainability of the food industry by improving the nutritional quality of food and reducing food waste.
6. Biotechnology
Biotechnology is a branch of science that encompasses many disciplines, including continually evolving biological technology and cellular and biomolecular processes used to develop technologies and products beneficial to life.
Scientists categorize biotechnology into four categories: red, white, green, and blue. The red category aims to apply and develop medical and health solutions, such as preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases.
The white category prioritizes the use of microorganisms and enzymes in industries such as food, beauty, and manufacturing. The green category aims to apply and develop medical and health solutions, such as preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases.
In its development, biotechnology is divided into two based on the activity of its microorganism utilization, namely modern biotechnology and conventional biotechnology.
7. Modern Biotechnology
This type of biotechnology uses advanced equipment, materials, and technology in its processes. Modern biotechnology is an evolution of conventional biotechnology.
The discovery of DNA as a replicable genetic material that plays a vital role in trait inheritance is the basis of modern biotechnology, which includes genetic engineering to produce products beneficial to life on Earth.
8. Conventional Biotechnology
Conventional biotechnology uses simple equipment and materials in its processes. Conventional biotechnology utilizes microorganisms to produce new products useful to humans.
Conventional biotechnology itself is divided into two categories: classic biotechnology (such as smallpox vaccines and penicillin antibiotics) and ancient biotechnology (such as cheese making and some preservation processes).
9. Biotechnology Innovation
Scientists and experts continue to make discoveries in biotechnology that can improve human welfare and quality of life. Here are some examples of biotechnology innovations that have been made and can significantly influence society.
10. Biogas
The world faces a problem of dependence on fossil fuels. One product of this dependence is biogas, which is the result of various efforts to produce alternative energy sources.
Methane gas produced by microorganisms through the anaerobic decomposition process of organic waste is called biogas. This energy source can reduce air pollution.
11. Antibiotics
Antibiotics are needed to treat bacteria causing infections. The development of antibiotics, which began with Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin, is ongoing. Antibiotics can stop the growth of other microorganisms by utilizing secondary metabolites produced by microorganisms.
To date, about hundreds of antibiotics have been identified, including penicillin, amphotericin, streptomycin, and others. Aspergillus fumigatus and Streptomyces aureofaciens are some microbes that can produce antibiotics.
12. Biocontrol Agents
Farming requires pest and disease control in addition to nutrient fulfillment. Unfortunately, the use of fungicides and pesticides, which has been ongoing for a long time, significantly damages the environment and has adverse effects on human health if they consume the crops.
Microbes are used as natural biocontrol agents to combat plant pathogens. Microbes such as Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Bacillus thuringiensis, Trichoderma sp, and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus are used for this purpose.
The above is a summary of biological technology innovation, definition, examples, and other explanations!
