Applications of Biotechnology on Food Agriculture Energy Biotechnology

Applications of Biotechnology on Food, Agriculture & Energy

Biotechnology in Agriculture n There are many important applications of biotechnology that have made a tremendous impact on agricultural productivity. n Conventional plant breeding n Tissue culture & micropropagation n Molecular breeding or marker assisted selection n Genetic engineering & GM crops n The ‘Omics’ - Genomics, Proteomics, Metabolomics n Plant disease diagnostics n Microbial fermentation.

Biotechnology in Agriculture GE of animals GE to develop animal vaccines GE of biocontrol agents against plant pest & diseases Plant protoplast fusion GE of plants GE to improve microorganisms Recombinant DNA for disease diagnostics Monoclonal anti body production Plant tissue culture Embryo transfer Fermentation, Biofertilizers

What is GMO? n An organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques (= recombinant DNA technology). n DNA molecules from different sources are combined into one molecule to create a new set of genes. n This DNA is then transferred into an organism, giving it modified or novel genes.

How to make GMOs

History of Usages of GMOs n GMOs have widespread applications. n They are used in biological & medical research, production of pharmaceutical drugs, experimental medicine (e. g. gene therapy), and agriculture (e. g. golden rice). n In 1978, Genentech, the first company to use recombinant DNA technology, announced the creation of an E. coli strain producing the human protein insulin.

History of Usages of GMOs n In 1987, the ice-minus strain of P. syringae (bacteria genetically engineered to protect plants from frost damage ) became the first GMO to be released into the environment. n Monsanto scientists became the first to genetically modify a plant cell in 1982. n Five years later (1987), Monsanto conducted the first field tests of genetically engineered crops.

Transgenic Microbes n Bacteria were the first organisms to be modified due to their simple genetics. n Genetically modified bacteria are now used in a variety of tasks, particularly important in producing pure human proteins for use in medicine. n GM bacteria are also used in some soils to facilitate crop growth and can also produce chemicals which are toxic to crop pests.

Transgenic Animals n Transgenic animals are used as experimental models to perform phenotypic tests with genes whose function is unknown. n Other applications include the production of human hormones like insulin. n GM fishes, including salmonids, carps & tilapias, have been created for aquaculture industry to increase meat production with promotors driving an over-production of growth hormone (GH).

Transgenic Plants n GM plants have been engineered to possess several desirable traits, including resistance to pests, herbicides or harsh environmental conditions, improved product shelflife, and increased nutritional value. n Since the first commercial cultivation of GM plants in 1996, they have been modified to be tolerant to the herbicides glufosinate & glyphosate, and to produce the Bt toxin, a potent insecticide.

GM Crops & Agriculture n Over the past decade, many commercially transgenic crops have been developed to meet the world’s growing needs of food, feed, fuel and fiber. n Primary research & development of GM crops include: n Grain yield & quality, environmental stress tolerance, pest control, herbicide tolerance, disease resistance, lipid enhancements (increased oil, improved fatty-acid composition), protein enhancements and bioactive compounds.

Research Aims of GM Crops n Corn - increase & enhance yield, disease & insect tolerance, stalk & root strength, and kernel qualities — such as oil & protein. n Cotton - develop yield & fiber quality, and tolerance to environmental stress. n Soybeans - improve yield, yield stability, disease tolerance, and improved oil & protein composition. n Vegetables - improve products by combating environmental factors that limit the plant’s output, and by enhancing the product’s end-market features - including appearance and quality.

Research Aims of GM Crops

Higher-yielding Soybean Soy Yield Intrinsic Development n Phase: 3 (advanced dev. ) n Higher-yielding soybeans have moved into Phase 3 : closer to farmers’ fields; regulatory trials are planned. n Targeting 6 -10% yield improvement through insertion of key genes.

Higher-yielding Soybean

Dicamba-tolerant Cotton Dicamba & Glufosinate-Tolerant (DGT) Cotton n Phase: 2 (early dev. ) n Dicamba-resistant cotton has moved to Phase 2 : lab & field testing to select commercial product candidates. n Improved weed control options with 3 modes of action for herbicide tolerance: Roundup Ready Flex plus Dicamba & Glufosinatetorelance

New GM Crop Projects Roundup Ready & insect-protected sugar cane. n Potential to reduce insecticide uses through insertion of key genes for in-plant insect control. n Potential to improve yield with improved insect control, specifically of the sugar cane borer, from insertion of key genes and improved weed control with Roundup Ready gene conveying herbicide tolerance.

New GM Crop Projects Roundup Ready & insect-protected soybeans. n Second-generation insect-protected product : wider spectrum of insect protection. Effective on Spodoptera, a pest prevalent in Brazil. n Potential to improve yield with improved insect control, specifically of the sugar cane borer, from insertion of key genes and improved weed control with Roundup Ready gene conveying herbicide tolerance.

GM Crops in the Philippines n Commercialized : corn resistant to Asiatic corn borer. n Field Tested : rice resistant to bacterial blight, corn resistant to Asiatic corn borer. n Greenhouse : papaya with delayed ripening trait, papaya resistant to ringspot virus. n Lab : mango with delayed ripening trait, rice resistant to tungro virus, vitamin A-enriched rice, banana resistant to bunchy top disease, coconut with higher amount of MCTs, sweet potato resistant to feathery mottle virus.

Transgenic Rice Virus Resistant Rice n Rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) is of major concern especially among African rice farmers. n Researchers in U. K. are enhancing the plant’s antiviral defense system by incorporating m. RNA sequences of the virus into rice plants, consequently make them immune to the pathogenic RYMV.

Transgenic Rice Nematode Resistant Rice n There is a great need to develop nematode (economically important pest) -resistant rice since chemical nematocides considered ecologically destructive. n The GM rice has been developed based on an anti-feedant approach. It can produce cystatin (natural proteinase inhibitor) in the roots and prevent the nematode from feeding efficiently.

Transgenic Rice Herbicide Tolerant Rice n Using herbicide resistant rice is advantageous. Lesser inputs are required from the farmers (e. g. soil tilling & herbicide application) and lesser competition for soil nutrients could greatly encourage the growth of rice. n These rice varieties work in a similar manner to herbicide-tolerant soybean. They contain a gene that provides resistance to 1 of 2 broad spectrum, environmentally benign herbicides.

Transgenic Rice Iron-Rich Rice n Iron deficiency is considered to be one of the most widespread micronutrient deficiency worldwide resulting to illnesses like anemia, heart problems, and neurological disorders. n Researchers have incorporated the ferritin gene from Phaseolus vulgaris into rice plant which increased the iron content in the rice endosperm by two-fold.

Fear for GM Food Crops n Although growth for GM crops is expected to be driven by China, India, the Philippines, Vietnam & Pakistan, much of Eastern Europe, Russia, France, and Ireland have still bans against GM foods. n Most protests against GM crops have focused on those grown for human consumption. n While support for GM foods has remained consistent over the past 10 years, the opposition has shrunk but not disappeared.

Energy

Biofuels from GM Crops n However, the increasing interest in crops being harvested for biofuels is likely to reignite discussions concerning GM crops. n The agobiotech companies could use their GM technology to make the plants easier to be converted into energy or more efficiently processed. n GM energy plants will help solve the problems of food shortage caused by using conventional crop for the biofuel purpose.

Biofuels from GM Crops n GM corn modified to increase drought resistance & yield can reduce the cost and increase production efficiency of ethanol. n The plants can be made to minimize the amount of lingin which interferes with the cellulose to ethanol process. n Genetic modifications can also help creation of powerful enzymes which will convert crop wastes such as corn husks.

Biofuels from GM Crops n The fuel plants can be engineered to produce their own cellulose digesting enzymes and store them in a compartment inside a cell. n Plant growth can be genetically boosted by increasing a hormone that regulates plant height. n The cellulose content can also be boosted by adding additional copies of the genes that catalyze its synthesis.

Biofuels from GM Crops n Most energy crops in Europe are in the form of non-GM sugarbeet, rapeseed & corn. n n However, GM maize is importing to Europe which can express an enzyme in bio-ethanol production, shortening the time to be fermented into alcohol. In US & Brazil, research on GM sugarcane & sugar beets is in an advanced stage. n Brazil has recently decided to use GM Soya for bio -fuels, while ‘food soya’ will be kept for human consumption.

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