What is biotechnology?
Biotechnology is a multidisciplinary field that combines biology, chemistry, engineering, and other disciplines to develop products and processes using living organisms or their components. In this way, biotechnology develops and applies technology that enables the use of the biological machinery of living beings to create specific products and services of interest to humans.
Thanks to its multidisciplinary nature and cross-sector applicability, biotechnology has applications in multiple fields, such as human and animal health, by developing new approaches for disease treatment; agriculture and food production, through the development of more sustainable crops and improved foods; industrial applications, such as biodegradable plastics and biofuels; and the environmental sector, through bioremediation, including recycling, waste treatment, and the cleanup of sites contaminated by industrial activities. In this way, biotechnology provides innovative solutions that have a direct and positive impact on people's lives as well as on the sustainability of the planet.
Types of Biotechnology
Biotechnology is classified into different types based on its field of application, each identified with a specific color in Spain. The association with these colors is widely used in Spain, but it is not generally standardized internationally beyond the main categories such as white, red, or green biotechnology.
- Medical Biotechnology (Red): Focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases.
- Agricultural Biotechnology (Green): Enhances crop yield mainly through genetic editing of plants.
- Food Biotechnology (Yellow): Uses living organisms or genetically improved compounds to optimize food production processes and/or improve their nutritional and sensory properties.
- Animal Biotechnology (Brown): Involves the production of food, pharmaceuticals, and vaccines for animals.
- Marine Biotechnology (Blue): Dedicated to preserving aquatic ecosystems and obtaining new products from marine and river resources.
- Industrial Biotechnology (White): Focuses on the design and management of industrial biotechnological processes.
- Environmental Biotechnology (Gray): Includes biotechnological applications aimed at environmental protection.
Impact of Biotechnology in Spain
The AseBio Report provides a detailed and updated overview of the state and trends of the biotechnology sector in Spain.
Published annually by AseBio, it includes information on the number of biotechnology companies, their geographical distribution, areas of activity, R&D investment, employment, exports, international collaborations, and other relevant data for the Spanish biotechnology industry.
History and Evolution of Biotechnology
The history and evolution of biotechnology date back thousands of years when humans began using microorganisms for food fermentation and alcoholic beverage production. However, modern biotechnology as a scientific discipline began in the early 20th century and has experienced significant advances in recent decades. Below is a summary of key milestones in biotechnology history:
Early 20th century: In the 1920s, Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, the first antibiotic, from the fungus Penicillium. This discovery marked the beginning of the modern medicine era and laid the foundation for later developments in microbiology and pharmaceutical biotechnology.
1950s and 1960s: During this period, cell and tissue culture techniques were developed, which became fundamental for genetic engineering and modern biotechnology. Enzymes also started to be used for organic synthesis in the chemical industry, leading to industrial biotechnology.
1970s: A major milestone occurred with the development of recombinant DNA technology, allowing scientists to manipulate genes and transfer genetic material between organisms. The creation of the first recombinant bacterium in 1973 by Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen marked the beginning of the genetic engineering era.
1980s: The first commercial biotechnology companies were established, and the first genetically engineered medicines, such as recombinant human insulin and interferons, were introduced to the market. Agricultural biotechnology also began to emerge with research into transgenic crops and plant engineering.
1990s: Biotechnology experienced rapid growth and diversification. High-throughput DNA sequencing techniques were developed, leading to the Human Genome Project and significant advances in genomics and personalized medicine. Biotechnological approaches were also applied in fields such as environmental bioremediation, bioenergy, and gene therapy.
2000s: In 2003, the complete sequencing of the human genome was achieved, providing valuable insights into gene structure and function and their relationship with diseases and medical conditions. The development of the CRISPR-Cas9 technique in 2012 revolutionized biotechnology by enabling precise and efficient genome editing in living organisms, including humans.
Up to 2024: Biotechnology played a crucial role in the COVID-19 pandemic, from the development of mRNA vaccines to accurate diagnostic tests such as PCR and LAMP. It also contributed to the development of therapies and treatments, as well as genomic sequencing of the virus to identify variants.
Biotechnology is expected to continue playing a vital role in addressing global challenges in health, food production, energy, and environmental sustainability in the future.
