biotechnology
Biotechnology is the application of biological organisms and their molecular components, combined with engineering approaches, to develop practical solutions and innovations. In plant science, biotechnology enables genetic improvement of crops, allowing researchers to enhance traits such as yield, disease resistance, and environmental resilience through advanced molecular techniques. This field is essential for addressing food security challenges and advancing sustainable agricultural practices in an era of climate change and growing global food demands.
open_in_new WikipediaPubMed · 2026-02-20
Scientists are developing sustainable ways to manufacture terpenoid compounds (used in flavors and fragrances) using engineered microbes instead of extracting them from plants or making them chemically, making these valuable compounds cheaper and more environmentally friendly to produce.
Synthetic biology enables microbial cell factories to produce terpenoids using low-cost substrates, offering a sustainable alternative to plant extraction and chemical synthesis
Critical engineering strategies include enzyme modification, dynamic pathway regulation, cellular compartmentalization, and enhanced tolerance to terpenoid toxicity
Selecting compatible host strains and integrating multiple engineering strategies with advanced technologies significantly improves biosynthesis efficiency