10 biotechnology breakthroughs in 2021 (2023)

As we move into the 21st century, biotechnologies have also gained prominence and are becoming increasingly important in our daily lives, especially now that the world is suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Scientists and researchers have made notable contributions in this field, leading to significant improvements. From vaccine development to gene sequencing, biotechnology has only paved the way and has been a boon to all of us.

Advances in Biotechnology 2021

Some of the advances in biotechnology in 2021 are listed below in this article.

1. Synthetic DNA

The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for biotechnology more than ever. For Covid-19 research, DNA synthesis is one of the pillars. Synthetic DNA is used in genomic studies of the virus that causes Covid-19 and helps track the spread and evolution of the infection. Working with a researcher from Professor Troels Skrydstrup's group, Professor Kurt Gothelf's group developed a unique method to quickly and easily make the volatile building blocks before they are used, making DNA production more efficient. The DNA sequences produced are also referred to as oligonucleotides and require an automated form of chemical production. This method usedPhosphoramiditas, which are fragile chemical molecules if not kept at the optimum temperature of -20 degrees Celsius. The professors worked together to develop a simple but feasible technology that would allow the production of phosphoramidites to be mechanized and integrated directly into the DNA synthesizer, eliminating the need for manual synthesis, which can take up to 12 hours . In the phosphoramidite manufacturing method, nucleosides are released through a resin that can be fully integrated into an automated process in DNA synthesizers. The resin causes the nucleosides to be phosphorylated rapidly, resulting in the conversion of nucleosides into phosphoramidites within minutes, leading to DNA synthesis.

2. Vaccine Development

However, as the coronavirus is known to be associated with milder infections such as the common cold, there are three variants: severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and SARS-CoV- 2 - are now associated with significant disease and death among infected people, causing global chaos or worldwide pandemics. It is important to formulate new long-term strategies to stop the spread of the virus around the world. With the help of biotechnology, many researchers and scientists have managed to formulate reliable vaccines. Many synthetic biologists have discovered a new approach to increasing yields in the manufacture of protein-based vaccines, perhaps through improved access to life-saving drugs. Recently dr. Katalin Karikó, who also wrote “2022Vilcek Prize for Excellence in Biotechnology.” Karikó showed that altering nucleosides, the building blocks of messenger RNA (mRNA), makes mRNA safe for use in vaccines against pathogens. Thanks to their insights into the stabilizing effect of nucleoside alteration in mRNA, scientists have been able to develop mRNA vaccines for COVID-19, particularly those being developed by Pfizer and Moderna. In clinical trials, the vaccines were 94% effective in preventing symptomatic disease and are now being used in the United States to help stop the pandemic.

3. Testing and detection of COVID-19

Despite the recent release of promising phase III data on Covid-19 vaccines, the virus that causes the disease, SARS-CoV-2, is expected to be with us for at least a few more months. The only way to ensure good medical care and prevent the spread of the disease is to identify infected people. Standard clinical testing methods often produce incorrect results, and traditional sequencing approaches are time-consuming and expensive. Recently, Jeremy Edwards, director of the Computational Genomics and Technology (CGaT) Laboratory at the University of New Mexico, and his other colleagues have developed a chip that makes genome sequencing of viruses like COVID-19 much easier and faster. . Scientists used a side-by-side genomic panel they developed for inexpensive and effective whole viral genome resequencing to scan the viral genome of eight clinical specimens obtained from patients tested positive for SARS-CoV in Wyoming -2 were tested to quickly and accurately resequence part of the study. Eventually, they were able to identify 95% of the genome of each sample with greater than 99.9% efficiency. Edwards, a professor in UNM's Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, even claimed that this new chip would enable faster and more accurate tracking of COVID and other viruses, including new variants.

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4. 4D printing and tissue engineering

The idea of ​​4D printing is gaining popularity in the production of self-healing substances for engineering and tissue-making applications, but has seen limited use in agricultural and agricultural applications. 4D materials change shape when exposed to certain environments, but recently available materials have poor compatibility with cells. However, the research team led by Eben Alsberg developed new 4D materials based on jelly-like hydrogels that change shape when reacting with water and are recyclable and cell-friendly, making them ideal options for improved tissue engineering. Hydrogels can also maintain very high cell densities, allowing for dense seeding of cells. In addition, they found that the system can be calibrated to control the timing and degree of shape change. The researchers managed to implant bone marrow stem cells into the hydrogel at very high density without destroying them, representing a breakthrough in bioengineering. In addition, 4D bioprinting of this hydrogel has also been used to create new configurations for more complicated 4D constructs.

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5. Gene editing

For the first time, the researchers were able to demonstrate that certain human endogenous retroviruses orREVfound throughout our genome are activated and seriously impair brain development. Biotechnology has enabled scientists to better understand the processes and functions of HERV. Researchers grew a specific group of human endogenous retroviruses in human stem cells and created neurons using CRISPR technology. These viral components activated specific genes associated with brain development, which also included traditional developmental factors. As a result, the cortical neurons of the cerebral cortex completely lost their functionality.

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6. Gene Sequencing

In the last decade, large-scale whole-genome sequencing technology, which determines the complete genetic material of an individual, has advanced rapidly. Now, for the first time in five years, the center has sequenced the genomes of 3,219 patients, leading to the molecular diagnosis of 1,287 people with unusual diseases (40%). Harmful mutations have been found in more than 750 genes and 17 new disease genes have been discovered. Patients with hereditary metabolic diseases, unusual epilepsies and primary immunodeficiencies have benefited from personalized treatment in some situations. A major project is currently underway in the Swedish healthcare sector to replicate a similar working technique on a larger scale. For example, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital have established a Joint Center for Precision Medicine (PMCK) to integrate and develop a partnership in precision medicine. This technique has also led to the discovery of other previously undiscovered disease genes and opened new avenues for further study of pathogenic pathways.

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7. Quantum Microscope

Another major advance in biotechnology is the creation of a quantum microscope that will allow us to see what was previously impossible. According to Professor Bowen of the Quantum Optics Laboratory, "This innovation will unlock all sorts of new technologies, from better navigation systems to better MRI machines, you name it." It's also the first Tangle-based detection device to outperform the best technology currently available. The ability of the team's quantum microscope to break through a 'hard barrier' in conventional light-based microscopy was a major achievement. This quantum entanglement not only provides 35% clarity without cell destruction, but also helps improve detection. This removes the last piece of the puzzle. This exciting breakthrough will bring about endless changes in biotechnology.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03528-w

8. Biosensors

Biosensors are growing in popularity due to their potential to revolutionize medical diagnostics and health monitoring. To improve and speed up testing for coronavirus, KAUST scientists have brought together state-of-the-art bioelectronic devices, materials science engineering and synthetic biology protein design. In less than 15 minutes, this new biosensor technology can therefore provide highly accurate results. By combining electrochemical biosensors with genetically engineered protein structures, these diagnostics enable clinicians to quickly and accurately detect viral fragments, previously only possible with slower genetic methods. The complete system can process raw blood at the point of care, eliminating the need for time-consuming sample collection. Initially, human blood and saliva samples treated with protein fractions of the coronaviruses that cause MERS and COVID-19 were used to adapt the test. After collaborating with KAUST doctors and scientists at the King Faisal Specialized Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh, the swabs of the patients were examined. Therefore, the new technology is likely to complement or even replace existing diagnostics for COVID-19 and all future pandemics due to its speed, adaptability and power compared to standard genetic tests.

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9. Agriculture and climate

With the help of biotechnology, scientists could make a new discovery that could impact how crops can be grown despite climate change. In addition, it can also contribute to our understanding of molecular systems in animals and humans. The study of vernalization has given us many insights into how plants perceive temperature at the molecular level. Researchers at the John Innes Center used a plant called Arabidopsis, grown in different climates, for experiments. They realized what all plants had in common: when the temperature dropped below freezing, levels of COOLAIR, which is an antisense gene to a gene called FLC, increased. According to the researchers, COOLAIR expression levels increased one hour after freezing and peaked eight hours later. "The first seasonal frost in autumn serves as an important indicator for the onset of winter," the researchers say. Therefore, the results shed light on the versatility of the molecular process by which plants sense temperature, which may help them adapt to different climates. Additionally, since antisense transcription has been shown to affect production in both yeast and human cells, the discovery is likely to have far-reaching implications for the environmental control of gene expression in various organisms.

Reference article:The first frost is the deepest.

10. Environmental DNA

DNA that comes from various organisms found in water or on land is environmental DNA (eDNA), and eDNA studies help identify species. Also a new oneEnvironmental DNA Detection Techniquewas used by biologists led by the University of Iowa to discover the existence of the exotic New Zealand mud slug by finding its DNA in waters where it was previously unknown. This was the first time this technique was used to detect a new hostile population. In addition, with the help of eDNA technology, the researchers were also able to find theEnvironmental DNA from Argentina's Formigain soil samples from two regions where invasive species wreaked havoc; locations on the island of Kobe Harbor and the Fushimi district of Kyoto. Therefore, this method can also work effectively in pest control. Consequently, this strategy could even help scientists understand ecological diversity and hot spots for invasive organisms around the world that cause major damage, like the fire ant.

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