"Biotechnology" is a term used to describe a range of techniques that involve the use live organisms like yeast or bacteria to make a variety of products. These products can be used in many ways. Some are used in food supplements, others for cosmetics and research.
Research by academic institutions is often the source of biotech innovation. In many cases, products are designed for improving the environment and health. They can include new enzymes, metabolic engineers, and other unique tools. They can also include genetic modifications, which alter the genetic makeup of a particular gene. These changes can be used in order to enhance the efficacy of a drug or for the treatment of a condition.
Universities often introduce new technologies into the industrial sector. One example is the creation of a new enzyme that can degrade artificial surfactants. Another example is tissue engineering, where cells are grown to make tissue for implantation, or gene therapy, in which a diseased gene is replaced with a healthy.
Biotech innovations are used to create potent vaccines as well as the production of tolerant plants, novel pharmaceuticals, and other biotech applications. These products are often used to target antibiotic-resistant bacteria. They can also be leveraged for other emerging applications.
In recent years, new products have been produced by mapping the genetic blueprints of plants, animals, and humans. This includes genetically engineered food products (e.g., seedless watermelon). Many of these products incorporate new technologies like Marker Assisted Selection.
Biotech innovations also include biofuels made from algae. Algae are relatively versatile plants, which can be grown anywhere. The biomass can also be used to make oil, biodiesel, and food supplements. The research into pharmaceuticals is also using algae. This research has resulted in the creation of substances that fight AIDS or cancer.
Biotech innovations also play a role in the development of personal monitoring tools, which help patients manage their illnesses better. Products that measure different elements of the body are included in these products. Some products can monitor the environment in which food is grown. These products can help produce foods that are more compatible with local conditions.
Another example is the development biodegradable items. People are searching for alternatives because of growing oil dependence. This is especially true of China, which is suffering severe air pollution. This is why urgent changes in energy supply are required. There is a need to develop new sources of energy, but the process of creating them must be environmentally friendly.
A wide range of biotech innovations are underway in China. Some examples are the development of mRNA vaccines, which target antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Preclinical testing is underway for other products. These products are being developed for Parkinson's, other diseases, and they may also be used to fight leukaemia.