Biotechnology could most likely prove harmful either through the unintended consequences of benevolent research or from the purposeful manipulation of biology to cause harm. One could also imagine messy controversies, in which one group engages in an application for biotechnology that others consider dangerous or unethical.
Agricultural biotechnology uses biological processes to develop technologies and products that address farming challenges. In the face of a rising world population, the agricultural industry is seeking solutions for how to produce enough food to feed more people. The Biotechnology Program includes a state-of-the-art technical research experience provided by local biotechnology companies and research facilities/ labs at local universities including University of. At its simplest, biotechnology is technology based on biology - biotechnology harnesses cellular and biomolecular processes to develop technologies and products that help improve our lives and the health of our planet. We have used the biological processes of microorganisms for more than 6,000 years to make useful. Biotechnology is the industry that uses the molecules of life (DNA, RNA, and proteins mostly) to treat and diagnose disease. We report on the latest biomedical science and technological research.
Please ensure you have JavaScript enabled in your browser. If you leave JavaScript disabled, you will only access a portion of the content we are providing. Here's how.Use these free STEM lesson plans and activities to teach students about biotechnology—options for all grade levels!
Biotechnology involves using biological processes and systems to make or improve products. Using yeast to make bread is often offered as a simple example of biotechnology, as a living organism (yeast) is used to make a specific food product (bread). Many people think of biotechnology, however, in more cutting-edge contexts, specifically within areas of medicine, genetics, food and agriculture, and environmental sciences.
Because biotechnology is positioned at the nexus of biology and chemistry, teachers can introduce students to biotechnology at all grade levels with projects and activities that focus on chemistry, genetics and genomics, biochemistry, and microbiology.
Science Buddies has biotechnology lessons and activities that can be used with students at all grade levels.
Biotechnology and K-5
Students in elementary school can explore the structure of DNA and the role of enzymes with hands-on activities like: Candy DNA, Paper DNA, Strawberry DNA, and What Do Enzymes in Pineapple Juice Do to Milk?.
Candy DNA Model
In the Make A Candy DNA Model activity, students use candies to make a model of a segment of DNA and then give it a twist.
Paper DNA Model
In the Colorful Double Helix, A Gene-ius Activity activity, students make models of DNA using paper, markers, and tape.
Spooling Strawberry DNA
In the Do-It-Yourself DNA activity, students extract DNA from strawberries and see firsthand what DNA looks like when spooled.
Mixing Milk and Pineapple Juice
The What Do Enzymes in Pineapple Juice Do to Milk? lesson teaches elementary school students about the role enzymes play in chemical reactions. Enzymes play a role in the human body and can also be used to create and control other reactions.
Make Art with Bacteria
In the Create a Painting with Genetically Modified Bacteria activity, students learn about gene editing and genetic engineering and explore by using colorful genetically modified bacteria to create a painting.
Elementary school students doing independent science projects or science fair projects can explore biotechnology questions with projects like these:
Biotechnology in Middle School
Phenotypes and Genotypes
With the Investigate Alien Genetics lesson, middle school students can learn about phenotypes and genotypes as they use principles of genetics to see what characteristics an 'alien baby' will have based on the traits of the parents.
Gene Mutations
The How Gene Mutations Change Your Ability to Taste lesson uses a phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) taste test to teach students about genetic mutation in a hands-on and immediately accessible way. How many students will be taste-sensitive to the PTC strip and what does that tell them about genetic mutation?
Middle school students interested in learning more about biotechnology with an independent science project may be interested in:
Biotechnology in High School
CRISPR Technology and CRISPR-Cas9
In the CUT! How Does CRISPR Work? lesson, students model CRISPR-Cas9 components and demonstrate their understanding of CRISPR technology by making a stop-motion animation video.
Enzymes and Substrates
In the Control the Reaction Rate of a Foaming Reaction chemistry lesson, students explore how to use enzymes and substrates to control the rate of a reaction.
High school students can continue exploring biotechnology with independent science projects like these:
Careers in Biotechnology
Because biotechnology is a multi-disciplinary area, there are a number of STEM careers someone interested in biotechnology might pursue. Students can learn more about relevant career paths in the following career profiles:
Development of resources for K-12 educators to teach biotechnology was made possible through generous support from Amgen Foundation.
To learn more about the Amgen Foundation, visit AmgenInspires.com.
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Biotechnology Examples
- Reverse Engineering 3D Chromosome Models for Individual Cells
- Feces and Algorithms: Artificial Intelligence to Map Our Intestinal Bacteria
- Physical Virology Shows the Dynamics of Virus Reproduction
- Cancer Research Reveals How Mutations in a Specific Gene Cause Different Types of Disease
- Asian Butterfly Mimics Other Species to Defend Against Predators
- Evolution: Speciation in the Presence of Gene Flow
- Researchers Uncover Viral Small RNAs in Mosquito Cells
- Scientists Find Antibody That Blocks Dengue Virus
- Gene-Editing Produces Tenfold Increase in Superbug Slaying Antibiotics
- New Method Helps pocket-sized DNA Sequencer Achieve Near-Perfect Accuracy
- DNA in Water Used to Uncover Genes of Invasive Fish
- A Bucket of Water Can Reveal Climate Change Impacts on Marine Life in the Arctic
- Comprehensive Characterization of Vascular Structure in Plants
- Cracking the Code of a Shapeshifting Protein
- Researchers Engineer Novel Disease Model to Identify Potential Targets for Ulcerative Colitis Drugs
- Bacterium Produces Pharmaceutical All-Purpose Weapon
- How Different Plants Can Share Their Genetic Material With Each Other
- Uncovering Basic Mechanisms of Intestinal Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Differentiation
Biotechnology Definition
- A Beginner's Guide to DNA Origami
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- Scientists Paint Multicolor Atlas of the Brain
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- High-Speed Atomic Force Microscopy Visualizes Cell Protein Factories
- New Mechanism Underlying Male Infertility
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- Deep Neural Network Predicts Transcription Factors
- New Imaging Method Reveals If Antibiotics Reach Bacteria Hiding in Tissues
- Study Resolves Long-Running Controversy Over Critical Step in Gene Silencing
- New Study on Circadian Clock Shows 'junk DNA' Plays a Key Role in Regulating Rhythms
- Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria: Fluoride to the Rescue?
- Sugars Influence Cell-to-Surface Adhesion
- Protein Twist and Squeeze Confers Cancer Drug Resistance
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- Chemists Develop a New Drug Discovery Strategy for 'undruggable' Drug Targets
- Switching DNA Functions on and Off by Means of Light
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Biotech X Ray
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- Brain Gene Expression Patterns Predict Behavior of Individual Honey Bees
- Frozen: Cutting-Edge Technology Reveals Structures Within Cells
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- Targeting the Deadly Coils of Ebola
- How Cancers Hurt Themselves to Hurt Immune Cells More
- Plants Can Be Larks or Night Owls Just Like Us
- Scientists Get the Most Realistic View Yet of a Coronavirus Spike's Protein Structure
- New Mechanism of Force Transduction in Muscle Cells Discovered
- Cell Atlas of Tropical Disease Parasite May Hold Key to New Treatments
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- HEALTH
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- Bird Flu Research
- Cloning
- Drought
- Fisheries
- Food
- Genetically Modified
- Organic
- Pests and Parasites
- Seeds
- Soil Types
- Apes
- Birds
- Cats
- Cows, Sheep, Pigs
- Dogs
- Dolphins and Whales
- Fish
- Frogs and Reptiles
- Horses
- Insects (including Butterflies)
- Mammals
- Mice
- Monkeys
- New Species
- Rodents
- Spiders and Ticks
- Veterinary Medicine
- Biotechnology and Bioengineering
- CRISPR Gene Editing
- Food and Agriculture
- Endangered Animals
- Endangered Plants
- Extinction
- Extreme Survival
- Invasive Species
- Nature
- Sea Life
- Trees
- Wild Animals
- Animal Learning and Intelligence
- Behavioral Science
- Biochemistry Research
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