From Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia.
Industrial biotechnology
(also known as white
biotechnology) is the practice
of using
cells to generate
industrially-useful
products.
The Economist speculated
(as cited in the Economist
article listed in the "References"
section) industrial biotechnology
might significantly impact the
chemical industry. The
Economist also suggested it
might enable
economies to become less
dependent on
fossil fuels.
An example would be that of
industries growing fungus to
produce anitbiotics, e.g.
penicillin from the penicillium
fungi.
Diversa is an example of a
company that specializes in
industrial biotechnology.
A significant problem in
industrial biotechnology
is waste production. A cell may be
used to generate desirable
carbon dioxide, other cells,
and other molecules. It will use
energy to accomplish its
industrial purpose. Yet it will
also use some energy to generate
waste (like
acetic acid) instead of the
desired product or products.
Decreasing waste production is a
significant goal in industrial
biotechnology.
Metabolic engineering may help
reach that goal.
References
- "Sea of Dreams: Genetically
Modified Microbes will lead to a
Revolution in Industrial
Biotechnology", an article on
page eighty-one of the
1 May
2004 issue of The
Economist (Vol. 371, Iss.
8373)
