Biotechnology
Technology · जैव प्रौद्योगिकी
📋Quick Overview
Biotechnology is the use of biological systems, organisms, or their derivatives to develop products and technologies. India's Department of Biotechnology (DBT) was established in 1986. India is the world's largest producer of generic drugs and has a booming biotech industry. Key areas include genetic engineering, bioinformatics, and vaccine development.
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Bt Cotton: India's first genetically modified (GM) crop, approved in 2002
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COVAXIN: India's first indigenous COVID-19 vaccine, developed by Bharat Biotech + ICMR
📖Branches of Biotechnology
| Color Code | Branch | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Medical Biotech | Vaccines, gene therapy, antibiotics |
| Green | Agricultural Biotech | GM crops, biopesticides, Bt cotton |
| White | Industrial Biotech | Enzymes, biofuels, fermentation |
| Blue | Marine Biotech | Aquaculture, marine drugs |
| Yellow | Food Biotech | Food processing, nutrition enhancement |
| Grey | Environmental Biotech | Bioremediation, waste treatment |
📝Key Biotech Facts for Exams
- •DNA fingerprinting developed by Sir Alec Jeffreys (1984)
- •PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) invented by Kary Mullis (1983) — amplifies DNA
- •CRISPR-Cas9: gene editing tool, called "genetic scissors" (Nobel Prize 2020)
- •Dolly the Sheep (1996): first cloned mammal, by Ian Wilmut in Scotland
- •Human Genome Project (1990-2003): mapped all 20,000+ human genes
- •Golden Rice: GM rice fortified with Vitamin A to fight malnutrition
- •GEAC (Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee): approves GM organisms in India