Biotechnology

Biotechnology is a multidisciplinary field that utilizes living systems, organisms, or their molecular components to develop technologies and products for practical purposes. As a cornerstone of biomedical engineering, it applies engineering principles to deliberately manipulate biological processes, often at the genetic and cellular level, to solve complex problems in human health. This includes a vast range of applications, from the genetic engineering of cells to produce therapeutic proteins and vaccines, to the development of advanced diagnostic assays, the design of novel gene therapies, and the cultivation of tissues for regenerative medicine.

1. Foundations of Biotechnology
   1. Historical Development
      1. Traditional Biotechnology
         1. Fermentation Processes
            1. Alcoholic Fermentation
            2. Lactic Acid Fermentation
            3. Acetic Acid Fermentation
            4. Industrial Fermentation Applications
         2. Selective Breeding Practices
            1. Plant Breeding Techniques
            2. Animal Breeding Methods
            3. Species Domestication
         3. Food Preservation Methods
         4. Traditional Medicine Production
      2. Modern Biotechnology Era
         1. DNA Structure Discovery
            1. Double Helix Model
            2. Watson-Crick Base Pairing
            3. X-ray Crystallography Evidence
         2. Recombinant DNA Technology Development
            1. Restriction Enzyme Discovery
            2. DNA Ligase Applications
            3. First Recombinant Organisms
            4. Cohen-Boyer Experiments
         3. Genetic Engineering Milestones
            1. First Transgenic Organisms
            2. Insulin Production Breakthrough
            3. Monoclonal Antibody Development
   2. Core Scientific Principles
      1. Molecular Biology Fundamentals
         1. Central Dogma of Molecular Biology
            1. DNA Replication
               1. DNA Polymerase Function
               2. Leading and Lagging Strands
               3. Proofreading Mechanisms
               4. Replication Fork Dynamics
            2. Transcription Process
               1. RNA Polymerase Types
               2. Promoter Recognition
               3. Transcription Initiation
               4. Elongation and Termination
            3. Translation Mechanism
               1. Ribosome Structure
               2. Genetic Code Properties
               3. tRNA Function
               4. Protein Synthesis Steps
         2. Gene Structure and Organization
            1. Prokaryotic Gene Structure
               1. Operon Organization
               2. Regulatory Sequences
            2. Eukaryotic Gene Structure
               1. Exon-Intron Organization
               2. Splicing Mechanisms
               3. Alternative Splicing
            3. Gene Regulation Mechanisms
               1. Transcriptional Control
               2. Post-transcriptional Regulation
               3. Epigenetic Modifications
      2. Cell Biology Principles
         1. Cell Types and Organization
            1. Prokaryotic Cell Structure
               1. Bacterial Cell Components
               2. Archaeal Characteristics
            2. Eukaryotic Cell Structure
               1. Membrane-bound Organelles
               2. Cytoskeletal Organization
         2. Cellular Organelles
            1. Nucleus Structure and Function
            2. Mitochondrial Biology
            3. Endoplasmic Reticulum Types
            4. Golgi Apparatus Function
            5. Lysosomal Systems
            6. Peroxisome Function
         3. Cell Division and Growth
            1. Cell Cycle Phases
            2. Mitosis Process
            3. Meiosis Mechanism
            4. Cell Cycle Regulation
            5. Programmed Cell Death
      3. Microbiology Applications
         1. Microbial Systems in Biotechnology
            1. Bacterial Genetics
               1. Plasmid Biology
               2. Transformation Mechanisms
               3. Conjugation and Transduction
            2. Viral Vector Systems
               1. Bacteriophage Biology
               2. Viral Replication Cycles
               3. Vector Design Principles
            3. Fungal Expression Systems
               1. Yeast Biology
               2. Filamentous Fungi Applications
         2. Microbial Cultivation
            1. Growth Requirements
            2. Culture Media Composition
            3. Sterilization Methods
            4. Contamination Control
            5. Scale-up Considerations
      4. Biochemistry Foundations
         1. Macromolecule Structure and Function
            1. Nucleic Acid Chemistry
               1. DNA Structure Variations
               2. RNA Types and Functions
               3. Nucleotide Modifications
            2. Protein Structure Hierarchy
               1. Primary Structure
               2. Secondary Structure Elements
               3. Tertiary Structure Formation
               4. Quaternary Structure Assembly
            3. Lipid Classifications
               1. Membrane Lipids
               2. Storage Lipids
               3. Signaling Lipids
            4. Carbohydrate Types
               1. Simple Sugars
               2. Complex Carbohydrates
               3. Glycoconjugates
         2. Enzyme Function and Kinetics
            1. Enzyme Classification
            2. Catalytic Mechanisms
            3. Michaelis-Menten Kinetics
            4. Enzyme Inhibition Types
            5. Allosteric Regulation
            6. Industrial Enzyme Applications