EVT 624 ENVIRONMENTAL BIOTECHNOLOGY 3 credit hours 2 hours lecture 3 hours lab

Assessment
40% continuous assessment Tests 20% Assignments 10% Lab reports 10% 60% final exam Exam 60%

References
Evans, G.M., (2003) Environmental Biotechnology: Theory and Application, John Wiley and Sons, Ltd, UK. Galperin, M.Y., Baker, A., (2004), Environmental Biotechnology From biofouling to bioremediation: the good, the bad and the vague, Current Opinion in Biotechnology 2004,15:167-169 Rittmann, B.E., McCarty, P.L., (2001) Environmental Biotechnology: Principles and Applications, McGraw-Hill International Edition. Mitchell, R., (1992) Environmental Microbiology, John Wiley and Sons, Ltd., UK. Higgins, J., Best, D.J., Jones, J., (1985) Biotechnology: Principles and Applications, Blackwell Scientific Publications. Gibson, D.T., (1984), Microbial Degradation of Organic Compounds, Marcel Dekker, Inc., NY.

Objectives Alternative solutions for environmental issues To suggest solutions for environmental problems. To evaluate the alternatives.

SOME DEFINITIONS

INTRODUCTION What is environment? All external conditions and factors, living and non-living (chemicals and energy), that affect an organism or other specified system during its lifetime. (Miller) Physicals factors of the surroundings of the human beings including land, water, atmosphere, climate, sound, odor, taste, the biological factors of animals and plants and the social factors of aesthetics. (EQA 1974)

 What is BIOTECHNOLGY? Biology? Studying living organisms. Technology? Tools to benefit mankind. Thus, biotechnology can be defined as using / utilization / manipulation of living organisms (whole organisms or part of it) for human benefits.

 Biotechnology is a new and a multidisciplinary field. The development of biotechnology relies on the advancement of other field such as; Biology Engineering (mechanical, chemical etc.) Chemistry Physics Genetics What else?

 Biotechnological applications was actually been used for thousand of years. This classic biotechnological applications such as cheese and wine production, fermented food, etc. were used without full understanding of the processes.

 The development in science and technology allow man to understand processes happen in every living organisms. Understanding what and how it happen permits man to utilize / manipulate the process for their benefit. MODERN BIOTECHNOLOGY

 If we look at modern biotechnology that is based on the DNA technology of recombinant, and its different usages, then we could classify the biotechnology in the different fields such as: medical biotechnology, ecological biotechnology, bioprocess, pharmaceutical and industrial biotechnology and farming biotechnology.

 Biotechnological development can be divided into 3 eras; 1600 1882 1900 1937 1944 to current
http://www.library.ucsf.edu/collres/archives/bio/chron1.html

The discovery of the double helix DNA in the 50s enhanced the development of biotechnology. Gene splicing and recombination enables man to create new strains of organisms with variety functions.

 Why technology develops? What is the purpose of having all the electronic gadgets, fast cars, safe buildings, genetically engineered food, etc?

BRIEF HISTORY OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

1750 BC: Beer production recorded in Sumerian table 100 AD : Powdered chrysanthemum as first insecticide in China 1343 : biological warfare Tartars vs. Christians catapults the bodies of plague victims to spread the disease. 1852 : US imports sparrows from Germany to fight caterpillars. 1889 : use of ladybug as a biological control against citrus pests. 1896 : Carlsberg use pure culture (Copenhagen)

BRIEF HISTORY OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

1914 : sewage plant, designed to treat sewage with bacteria Manchester. 1919 : term BIOTECHNOLOGY 1953 : double helix DNA discovered. 1973 : recombinant DNA toad genes splicing. (BIOTECH BOOM) 1981 : clone fish a golden carp. 1988 : genetically engineered corn USA. 1997 : Dolly the sheep. ?

 Currently, biotechnology is used in wide variety of fields such as; Agriculture - ? Chemicals - ? Energy _ ? Environment - ? Food - ? Materials - ? Medicine - ? Give examples of application for each field.

ENVIRONMENTAL BIOTECHNOLOGY Define? Generally biotechnology applications in the environmental field involve in; Manufacturing process product and process development. Waste disposal biodegradation of waste Pollution control clean technology, environmental monitoring.

MICROORGANISMS AND BIOTECHNOLOGY Microorganisms are the key player in biotechnology. What is microorganisms? Why they are important in the development of biotechnology? Abundance Easy to cultivate Variety of metabolic types Potential products. Possibilities of genetic manipulation Cheap

 Microorganisms can be divided into several groups such as; Bacteria - ? Fungi - ? Algae - ? Viruses - ? Protozoans - ? Multicellular animal parasites - ? Each are differ in many ways and can be utilized in environmental protection.

Bacteria Widely distributed throughout the biosphere Able to exist on almost any conditions Have three principal shapes, ie: spherical cocci, cylindrical rods and helical spirillia Size: Optimal growth conditions:

Fungi Heterotrophic, commonly inhabit soils Filamentous cell mycelium Able to survive under wide pH range (2 10) Can survive under low moisture and nitrogen levels Effective in degradation of chemicals

Algae Unicellular and multicultural autotrophs Photosynthetic Present in natural aquatic environments and in basins for wastewater treatment systems Limited role in waste treament

Protozoa Motile single cells, majority are aerobic heterotrophs Much larger than bacteria, and often consumes bacteria as a source of carbon and energy Help to maintain bacterial population level in liquid-phase biological treatment systems

BIOFILM Naturally microorganisms do not exist in pure culture. Biofilm can be defined as a community of sessile microorganisms attached to a solid surface. Good and bad effects. Increase resistance to pollutants. Pollutants can be degraded from complex molecules to simpler molecules by these tiny organisms.