Biotechnology has become one of the fast-growing field these days with its new inventions that support the environment, agriculture, healthcare, pharma industries and the list goes on. Surprisingly, biotechnology achieved more attention during the Covid-19 pandemic period, as this could help in much faster Covid-19 testing, vaccine development and created many job opportunities too. All the companies around the world were pushed to develop new testing kits, vaccine, and repurposed drugs (Thanks goes to the advancing Biotechnology!). The importance of biotechnology is increasing in faster pace as it is becoming a vital part in everyone's life. This growth has resulted in many major inventions in this field. Some of them are listed in this article.
Let us have a glimpse!
1. Tissue Engineering - 4D printing
The exciting breakthrough in the tissue engineering field is the development of self- healing substances using 4D printing. A gelatin-like hydrogel they can alter their shape, are cell compatible and recyclable which was developed by the research team in University of Chicago led by Eben Alsberg. 4D materials can change their geometric shape over the time with respect to the certain stimuli. They can change the structures together with the neighboring tissues and actively interact with the surrounding developing or healing tissues. So, these shape shifting materials can be the biggest achievement in tissue healing.
2. Gene Editing
The process of changing an organism's DNA is known as gene editing or genome editing. This technique allows the removal, addition and alteration of genetic material at specific site. Some specific nucleases and CRISPER-cas9 are being used as the efficient gene editing tools. The CRISPER technology created success in treating wide range of genetic diseases including ocular diseases, cancer, blood and neuro regenerative diseases. Now, a research study led by Helmholtz Zentrum München has found when a specific human endogenous retrovirus (HERV), a part of human genome is activated, it weakens the brain function significantly. In their research, they used the CRISPR technology to activate a specific group of HERVs in human stem cells and generated neurons. The viral elements turned on the specific genes involved in brain development. Due to this, the nerve cells in the brain lost their functionality.
As a next step of research, this team will study about the HERV deactivation and treatment for neurodegenerative disease.
3. Development of Vaccines
From the start of Covid-19, the scientists in the worldwide have been studying for the development of vaccines to subside the massive spread of this life-threatening virus. So, with the help of biotechnology many scientists were able to produce dependable vaccines. A recent breakthrough in the vaccine development is by Dr. Katalin Karikó who produced mRNA covid-19 vaccines and awarded "2022 Vilcek Prize of Excellence in Biotechnology". Her studies shown that, tweaking the nucleosides makes the mRNA safe for vaccination against infectious agents. Using these, mRNA vaccines were developed by Pfizer and Moderna. These vaccines worked with more than 94% efficacy by reducing the symptoms. Thanks to Dr. Katalin Karikó for her ever lifesaving contribution!
4. Personalized Medicine
In earlier days of research, drugs and medicines were formulated based on "one-size-fits-all". Much research had been undergoing to find out suitable drugs for the wide range of population. But, in the modern genomics it is possible to customize medicines for everyone based on their genetic makeup. Personalized medicine can be used for the understanding of how the genetic makeup of an individual affect the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body. Another application is preventative medicine, in which individuals with specific genetic makeup are susceptible to disease or disease condition can be given pre-emptive treatment.
Personalized medicine is one of the booming research fields and which can be answer for the treatment of many diseases! This will be a biggest trend in 2022 also!
5. Environmental DNA
Invasive ant species are causing great damage widespread. So early detection is necessary for the proper pest control at the right time. Environmental DNA is the DNA shed by diverse organisms into the aquatic or terrestrial environments. This eDNA technique helped researchers to find out the invasive species "Argentine ant " from the soil of Kobe’s Port Island and Kyoto’s Fushimi district, and they caused huge destruction.
This new method can be used to find out the hotspot of many invasive organisms which cause major harm such as fire ant, and effective pest control can be done to eradicate it.
Let us wait for more trends and innovations in 2022!
Thank you!!!
References:
- Corless, V. (2021, March 2). Shape-shifting 4D materials provide new opportunity for tissue engineering. Advanced Science News. https://www.advancedsciencenews.com/shape-shifting-4d-materials-provide-new-opportunity-for-tissue-engineering/.
- The viruses in our genes: When activated, they damage brain development. (2021). ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/05/210520133706.htm.
- Marr, B. (2021, December 10). The 5 Biggest Biotech Trends In 2022. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2021/12/08/the-5-biggest-biotech-trends-in-2022/?sh=1805ad16380f.
- McMillen, D. (2021, June 16). 10 Biotechnology Breakthroughs in 2021. Explore Biotech. https://explorebiotech.com/biotechnology-breakthroughs-2021/.
- Thesia, E. (2021, December 16). Top 7 trends and innovations within the Biotechnology Industry in 2021. Pivotal Scientific. https://pivotalscientific.com/scientific-library/top-7-trends-and-innovations-within-the-biotechnology-industry-in-2021/#tissue.
- O’Neill, M. (2021, May 28). Environmental DNA (eDNA) Analysis Could Contribute Towards More Effective Pest Control. SciTechDaily. https://scitechdaily.com/environmental-dna-edna-analysis-could-contribute-towards-more-effective-pest-control/?utm_source=TrendMD&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=SciTechDaily_TrendMD_0
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