Have you ever wondered how a simple injection can protect you from potentially deadly diseases?
Vaccines, which you have probably received more than once in your life, are a perfect example of biotechnology in action. But what is behind that science? And how does this technology transform not only our health but also the world around us?
Biotechnology is the application of science and technology to living organisms, cells, and molecules, to develop useful products and processes. It accomplishes this by combining disciplines such as biology, chemistry, physics, genetics, bioinformatics, among others.
Its goal is to solve problems in areas like health, agriculture, the environment, and industry. From medicines and vaccines to crops resistant to extreme temperatures and bioplastics, biotechnology harnesses the knowledge of life to improve our quality of life and promote sustainability.
GET TO KNOW THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SOLUTIONS WE USE DAILY.
To delve into the world of biotechnology, I want to tell you about two everyday products that you have probably used, or at least know:
Dish detergent:
Modern detergents contain enzymes, which are biological molecules that speed up specific chemical reactions, such as effectively removing stains from proteins (like chicken, meat, or eggs), fats, and carbohydrates. These enzymes, like proteases, lipases, and amylases, are produced through biotechnology by leveraging the "lifestyle" of bacteria or fungi.
A biotechnologist can take a bacterium and identify the portion of its DNA responsible for producing these enzymes and reproduce them industrially in bioreactors.
The result is detergents that clean better at lower temperatures, saving energy and being less aggressive towards the environment.Yogurt:
Yogurt is produced through a process called lactic fermentation. This is a controlled biotechnological process. Beneficial bacteria such as L. bulgaricus or S. thermophilus feed on the sugar in milk, process it, and convert it into lactic acid. Lactic acid coagulates proteins and gives yogurt its characteristic texture and flavor.
In modern biotechnology, these bacteria are selected and optimized to ensure the product's quality, consistency, and probiotic benefits, ensuring healthy and uniform yogurts in the market.
We often associate bacteria with diseases, but the reality is that many of them are indispensable allies. Thanks to biotechnology, we have learned to understand them, comprehend them, and leverage their potential. From the bacteria that ferment milk to produce yogurt to those that manufacture enzymes for detergents, these microorganisms contribute to our daily lives in surprising ways. Far from being an enemy, the bacterial world is an inexhaustible source of innovation, capable of offering us safe, effective, and high-quality products that improve both our lives and the environment around us.
VACCINES: TRAINING OUR BODY WITH BIOTECHNOLOGY.
Before we start this section, pay attention to this metaphor that will help you better understand the topic:
Vaccines are like a training session before a match against an unknown team.
At first, the body gets "tired" (headache, chills, warmth caused by the vaccine) while learning to recognize the movements and strategies of the opponent (the pathogen).
Although that "play" can be uncomfortable, it is vital because once the body has trained, it already knows the opposing player and their tactics, allowing it to anticipate their movements and defend itself effectively when the actual match (the infection) occurs.
Vaccines are one of the most powerful tools of biotechnology in the field of health. At its core, a vaccine is a biological preparation that mimics an infection without causing the disease.
By introducing a harmless version of the pathogen (such as a protein or a genetic fragment) into our body, the vaccine trains our immune system (the defense that protects us from infections) to recognize and combat the pathogen if we encounter it in the future.
This process is key to generating immunity, which protects individuals from serious illnesses or even death.
When we vaccinate, the immune system responds by producing antibodies and specialized immune cells to attack the pathogen. Furthermore, immune memory is activated, meaning the body can quickly recognize and defend itself if the actual pathogen enters the organism in the future. This efficient and long-lasting response is what makes vaccines so effective in preventing infectious diseases.
Biotechnology has revolutionized vaccine production by allowing us to design and manufacture safer and more effective vaccines. For example, messenger RNA vaccines, like those developed for COVID-19, use a fragment of the virus's genetic code to instruct our cells to produce a harmless viral protein. This innovative approach, based on years of biotechnological research, accelerated the creation of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 and demonstrated the potential of biotechnology to respond quickly and effectively to health crises.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us the critical importance of vaccines and how biotechnology can transform public health. In record time, COVID-19 vaccines were developed, approved, and distributed globally, an achievement that once seemed unthinkable. In addition to saving millions of lives, these vaccines have provided a fundamental tool for controlling the pandemic and allowing for global social and economic recovery.
In the case of the COVID-19 pandemic, the severity lay in the fact that an unvaccinated person who came into contact with the virus faced a very strong infection, and in some cases, it was fatal.
The need for a vaccine to train the immune systems of the population was very high, as knowing the virus significantly reduced the risk of infection.
BIOTECHNOLOGY: INNOVATION FOR LIFE AND THE PLANET.
Biotechnology is more present in our lives than we realize. From the yogurt we have for breakfast, the detergents we use for cleaning, to the vaccines that protect our health, this science transforms knowledge into practical solutions that improve our quality of life. Beyond its daily impact, biotechnology is a key engine for the global economy, generating jobs in sectors such as the pharmaceutical industry, agriculture, and renewable energy.
In terms of sustainability, it offers innovative alternatives to tackle environmental challenges. Biofuels, bioplastics, and bioremediation processes are just a few examples of how biotechnology contributes to more environmentally friendly development. Additionally, in agriculture, it promotes more sustainable practices, such as crops resistant to climate change and biopesticides that protect ecosystems.
Biotechnology’s ability to address global issues, from pandemics to climate change, makes it an essential tool for ensuring a healthier, fairer, and more sustainable future. Every time we interact with a product that improves our life or the planet, we witness the tangible impact of this science in action.
Biotechnology is not just a field of study; it is a transformative force shaping today's and tomorrow's world. By understanding its scope and possibilities, we can appreciate its role and support its development to face the challenges ahead.
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