recent research topics in biotechnology

200+ Biotechnology Research Topics: Let’s Shape the Future

In the dynamic landscape of scientific exploration, biotechnology stands at the forefront, revolutionizing the way we approach healthcare, agriculture, and environmental sustainability. This interdisciplinary field encompasses a vast array of research topics that hold the potential to reshape our world. 

In this blog post, we will delve into the realm of biotechnology research topics, understanding their significance and exploring the diverse avenues that researchers are actively investigating.

Overview of Biotechnology Research

Table of Contents

Biotechnology, at its core, involves the application of biological systems, organisms, or derivatives to develop technologies and products for the benefit of humanity. 

The scope of biotechnology research is broad, covering areas such as genetic engineering, biomedical engineering, environmental biotechnology, and industrial biotechnology. Its interdisciplinary nature makes it a melting pot of ideas and innovations, pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

How to Select The Best Biotechnology Research Topics?

• Identify Your Interests

Start by reflecting on your own interests within the broad field of biotechnology. What aspects of biotechnology excite you the most? Identifying your passion will make the research process more engaging.

• Stay Informed About Current Trends

Keep up with the latest developments and trends in biotechnology. Subscribe to scientific journals, attend conferences, and follow reputable websites to stay informed about cutting-edge research. This will help you identify gaps in knowledge or areas where advancements are needed.

• Consider Societal Impact

Evaluate the potential societal impact of your chosen research topic. How does it contribute to solving real-world problems? Biotechnology has applications in healthcare, agriculture, environmental conservation, and more. Choose a topic that aligns with the broader goal of improving quality of life or addressing global challenges.

• Assess Feasibility and Resources

Evaluate the feasibility of your research topic. Consider the availability of resources, including laboratory equipment, funding, and expertise. A well-defined and achievable research plan will increase the likelihood of successful outcomes.

• Explore Innovation Opportunities

Look for opportunities to contribute to innovation within the field. Consider topics that push the boundaries of current knowledge, introduce novel methodologies, or explore interdisciplinary approaches. Innovation often leads to groundbreaking discoveries.

• Consult with Mentors and Peers

Seek guidance from mentors, professors, or colleagues who have expertise in biotechnology. Discuss your research interests with them and gather insights. They can provide valuable advice on the feasibility and significance of your chosen topic.

• Balance Specificity and Breadth

Strike a balance between biotechnology research topics that are specific enough to address a particular aspect of biotechnology and broad enough to allow for meaningful research. A topic that is too narrow may limit your research scope, while one that is too broad may lack focus.

• Consider Ethical Implications

Be mindful of the ethical implications of your research. Biotechnology, especially areas like genetic engineering, can raise ethical concerns. Ensure that your chosen topic aligns with ethical standards and consider how your research may impact society.

• Evaluate Industry Relevance

Consider the relevance of your research topic to the biotechnology industry. Industry-relevant research has the potential for practical applications and may attract funding and collaboration opportunities.

• Stay Flexible and Open-Minded

Be open to refining or adjusting your research topic as you delve deeper into the literature and gather more information. Flexibility is key to adapting to new insights and developments in the field.

200+ Biotechnology Research Topics: Category-Wise

Genetic engineering.

• CRISPR-Cas9: Recent Advances and Applications
• Gene Editing for Therapeutic Purposes: Opportunities and Challenges
• Precision Medicine and Personalized Genomic Therapies
• Genome Sequencing Technologies: Current State and Future Prospects
• Synthetic Biology: Engineering New Life Forms
• Genetic Modification of Crops for Improved Yield and Resistance
• Ethical Considerations in Human Genetic Engineering
• Gene Therapy for Neurological Disorders
• Epigenetics: Understanding the Role of Gene Regulation
• CRISPR in Agriculture: Enhancing Crop Traits

Biomedical Engineering

• Tissue Engineering: Creating Organs in the Lab
• 3D Printing in Biomedical Applications
• Advances in Drug Delivery Systems
• Nanotechnology in Medicine: Theranostic Approaches
• Bioinformatics and Computational Biology in Biomedicine
• Wearable Biomedical Devices for Health Monitoring
• Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine
• Precision Oncology: Tailoring Cancer Treatments
• Biomaterials for Biomedical Applications
• Biomechanics in Biomedical Engineering

Environmental Biotechnology

• Bioremediation of Polluted Environments
• Waste-to-Energy Technologies: Turning Trash into Power
• Sustainable Agriculture Practices Using Biotechnology
• Bioaugmentation in Wastewater Treatment
• Microbial Fuel Cells: Harnessing Microorganisms for Energy
• Biotechnology in Conservation Biology
• Phytoremediation: Plants as Environmental Cleanup Agents
• Aquaponics: Integration of Aquaculture and Hydroponics
• Biodiversity Monitoring Using DNA Barcoding
• Algal Biofuels: A Sustainable Energy Source

Industrial Biotechnology

• Enzyme Engineering for Industrial Applications
• Bioprocessing and Bio-manufacturing Innovations
• Industrial Applications of Microbial Biotechnology
• Bio-based Materials: Eco-friendly Alternatives
• Synthetic Biology for Industrial Processes
• Metabolic Engineering for Chemical Production
• Industrial Fermentation: Optimization and Scale-up
• Biocatalysis in Pharmaceutical Industry
• Advanced Bioprocess Monitoring and Control
• Green Chemistry: Sustainable Practices in Industry

Emerging Trends in Biotechnology

• CRISPR-Based Diagnostics: A New Era in Disease Detection
• Neurobiotechnology: Advancements in Brain-Computer Interfaces
• Advances in Nanotechnology for Healthcare
• Computational Biology: Modeling Biological Systems
• Organoids: Miniature Organs for Drug Testing
• Genome Editing in Non-Human Organisms
• Biotechnology and the Internet of Things (IoT)
• Exosome-based Therapeutics: Potential Applications
• Biohybrid Systems: Integrating Living and Artificial Components
• Metagenomics: Exploring Microbial Communities

Ethical and Social Implications

• Ethical Considerations in CRISPR-Based Gene Editing
• Privacy Concerns in Personal Genomic Data Sharing
• Biotechnology and Social Equity: Bridging the Gap
• Dual-Use Dilemmas in Biotechnological Research
• Informed Consent in Genetic Testing and Research
• Accessibility of Biotechnological Therapies: Global Perspectives
• Human Enhancement Technologies: Ethical Perspectives
• Biotechnology and Cultural Perspectives on Genetic Modification
• Social Impact Assessment of Biotechnological Interventions
• Intellectual Property Rights in Biotechnology

Computational Biology and Bioinformatics

• Machine Learning in Biomedical Data Analysis
• Network Biology: Understanding Biological Systems
• Structural Bioinformatics: Predicting Protein Structures
• Data Mining in Genomics and Proteomics
• Systems Biology Approaches in Biotechnology
• Comparative Genomics: Evolutionary Insights
• Bioinformatics Tools for Drug Discovery
• Cloud Computing in Biomedical Research
• Artificial Intelligence in Diagnostics and Treatment
• Computational Approaches to Vaccine Design

Health and Medicine

• Vaccines and Immunotherapy: Advancements in Disease Prevention
• CRISPR-Based Therapies for Genetic Disorders
• Infectious Disease Diagnostics Using Biotechnology
• Telemedicine and Biotechnology Integration
• Biotechnology in Rare Disease Research
• Gut Microbiome and Human Health
• Precision Nutrition: Personalized Diets Using Biotechnology
• Biotechnology Approaches to Combat Antibiotic Resistance
• Point-of-Care Diagnostics for Global Health
• Biotechnology in Aging Research and Longevity

Agricultural Biotechnology

• CRISPR and Gene Editing in Crop Improvement
• Precision Agriculture: Integrating Technology for Crop Management
• Biotechnology Solutions for Food Security
• RNA Interference in Pest Control
• Vertical Farming and Biotechnology
• Plant-Microbe Interactions for Sustainable Agriculture
• Biofortification: Enhancing Nutritional Content in Crops
• Smart Farming Technologies and Biotechnology
• Precision Livestock Farming Using Biotechnological Tools
• Drought-Tolerant Crops: Biotechnological Approaches

Biotechnology and Education

• Integrating Biotechnology into STEM Education
• Virtual Labs in Biotechnology Teaching
• Biotechnology Outreach Programs for Schools
• Online Courses in Biotechnology: Accessibility and Quality
• Hands-on Biotechnology Experiments for Students
• Bioethics Education in Biotechnology Programs
• Role of Internships in Biotechnology Education
• Collaborative Learning in Biotechnology Classrooms
• Biotechnology Education for Non-Science Majors
• Addressing Gender Disparities in Biotechnology Education

Funding and Policy

• Government Funding Initiatives for Biotechnology Research
• Private Sector Investment in Biotechnology Ventures
• Impact of Intellectual Property Policies on Biotechnology
• Ethical Guidelines for Biotechnological Research
• Public-Private Partnerships in Biotechnology
• Regulatory Frameworks for Gene Editing Technologies
• Biotechnology and Global Health Policy
• Biotechnology Diplomacy: International Collaboration
• Funding Challenges in Biotechnology Startups
• Role of Nonprofit Organizations in Biotechnological Research

Biotechnology and the Environment

• Biotechnology for Air Pollution Control
• Microbial Sensors for Environmental Monitoring
• Remote Sensing in Environmental Biotechnology
• Climate Change Mitigation Using Biotechnology
• Circular Economy and Biotechnological Innovations
• Marine Biotechnology for Ocean Conservation
• Bio-inspired Design for Environmental Solutions
• Ecological Restoration Using Biotechnological Approaches
• Impact of Biotechnology on Biodiversity
• Biotechnology and Sustainable Urban Development

Biosecurity and Biosafety

• Biosecurity Measures in Biotechnology Laboratories
• Dual-Use Research and Ethical Considerations
• Global Collaboration for Biosafety in Biotechnology
• Security Risks in Gene Editing Technologies
• Surveillance Technologies in Biotechnological Research
• Biosecurity Education for Biotechnology Professionals
• Risk Assessment in Biotechnology Research
• Bioethics in Biodefense Research
• Biotechnology and National Security
• Public Awareness and Biosecurity in Biotechnology

Industry Applications

• Biotechnology in the Pharmaceutical Industry
• Bioprocessing Innovations for Drug Production
• Industrial Enzymes and Their Applications
• Biotechnology in Food and Beverage Production
• Applications of Synthetic Biology in Industry
• Biotechnology in Textile Manufacturing
• Cosmetic and Personal Care Biotechnology
• Biotechnological Approaches in Renewable Energy
• Advanced Materials Production Using Biotechnology
• Biotechnology in the Automotive Industry

Miscellaneous Topics

• DNA Barcoding in Species Identification
• Bioart: The Intersection of Biology and Art
• Biotechnology in Forensic Science
• Using Biotechnology to Preserve Cultural Heritage
• Biohacking: DIY Biology and Citizen Science
• Microbiome Engineering for Human Health
• Environmental DNA (eDNA) for Biodiversity Monitoring
• Biotechnology and Astrobiology: Searching for Life Beyond Earth
• Biotechnology and Sports Science
• Biotechnology and the Future of Space Exploration

Challenges and Ethical Considerations in Biotechnology Research

As biotechnology continues to advance, it brings forth a set of challenges and ethical considerations. Biosecurity concerns, especially in the context of gene editing technologies, raise questions about the responsible use of powerful tools like CRISPR. 

Ethical implications of genetic manipulation, such as the creation of designer babies, demand careful consideration and international collaboration to establish guidelines and regulations. 

Moreover, the environmental and social impact of biotechnological interventions must be thoroughly assessed to ensure responsible and sustainable practices.

Funding and Resources for Biotechnology Research

The pursuit of biotechnology research topics requires substantial funding and resources. Government grants and funding agencies play a pivotal role in supporting research initiatives. 

Simultaneously, the private sector, including biotechnology companies and venture capitalists, invest in promising projects. Collaboration and partnerships between academia, industry, and nonprofit organizations further amplify the impact of biotechnological research.

Future Prospects of Biotechnology Research

As we look to the future, the integration of biotechnology with other scientific disciplines holds immense potential. Collaborations with fields like artificial intelligence, materials science, and robotics may lead to unprecedented breakthroughs. 

The development of innovative technologies and their application to global health and sustainability challenges will likely shape the future of biotechnology.

In conclusion, biotechnology research is a dynamic and transformative force with the potential to revolutionize multiple facets of our lives. The exploration of diverse biotechnology research topics, from genetic engineering to emerging trends like synthetic biology and nanobiotechnology, highlights the breadth of possibilities within this field. 

However, researchers must navigate challenges and ethical considerations to ensure that biotechnological advancements are used responsibly for the betterment of society. 

With continued funding, collaboration, and a commitment to ethical practices, the future of biotechnology research holds exciting promise, propelling us towards a more sustainable and technologically advanced world.

Related Posts

Step by Step Guide on The Best Way to Finance Car

The Best Way on How to Get Fund For Business to Grow it Efficiently

Loading metrics

Open Access

The future is bright, the future is biotechnology

* E-mail: [email protected]

Affiliation Public Library of Science, San Francisco, California, United States of America and Cambridge, United Kingdom

• Richard Hodge, 
• on behalf of the PLOS Biology staff editors

Published: April 28, 2023

• https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3002135
• Reader Comments

As PLOS Biology celebrates its 20 th anniversary, our April issue focuses on biotechnology with articles covering different aspects of the field, from genome editing to synthetic biology. With them, we emphasize our interest in expanding our presence in biotechnology research.

Citation: Hodge R, on behalf of the PLOS Biology staff editors (2023) The future is bright, the future is biotechnology. PLoS Biol 21(4): e3002135. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3002135

Copyright: © 2023 Hodge, on behalf of the PLOS Biology staff editors. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Funding: The authors received no specific funding for this work.

Competing interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

The PLOS Biology Staff Editors are Ines Alvarez-Garcia, Joanna Clarke, RichardHodge, Paula Jauregui, Nonia Pariente, Roland Roberts, and Lucas Smith.

This article is part of the PLOS Biology 20th Anniversary Collection.

Biotechnology is a revolutionary branch of science at the forefront of research and innovation that has advanced rapidly in recent years. It is a broad discipline, in which organisms or biological processes are exploited to develop new technologies that have the potential to transform the way we live and work, as well as to boost sustainability and industrial productivity. The new tools and products being generated have a wide range of applications across various sectors, including medicine, agriculture, energy, manufacturing and food.

PLOS Biology has traditionally published research reporting significant advances across a wide range of biological disciplines. However, our scope must continue to evolve as biology increasingly becomes more and more applied, generating technologies with potentially game-changing therapeutic and environmental impact. To that end, we recently published a collection of magazine articles focused on ideas for green biotechnologies that could have an important role in a sustainable future [ 1 ], including how to harness microbial photosynthesis to directly generate electricity [ 2 ] and using microbes to develop carbon “sinks” in the mining industry [ 3 ]. Moreover, throughout this anniversary year we are publishing Perspective articles that take stock of the past 20 years of biological research in a specific field and look forward to what is to come in the next 20 years [ 4 ]; in this issue, these Perspectives focus on different aspects of the broad biotechnology field—synthetic biology [ 5 ] and the use of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for the delivery of therapeutics [ 6 ].

One fast moving area within biotechnology is gene editing therapy, which involves the alteration of DNA to treat or prevent disease using techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9 and base editors that enable precise genetic modifications to be made. This approach shows great promise for treating a variety of genetic diseases. Excitingly, promising phase I results of the first in vivo genome editing clinical trial to treat several liver-related diseases were reported at the recent Keystone Symposium on Precision Genome Engineering. This issue of PLOS Biology includes an Essay from Porto and Komor that focuses on the clinical applications of base editor technology [ 7 ], which could enable chronic diseases to be treated with a ‘one-and-done’ therapy, and a Perspective from Hamilton and colleagues that outlines the advances in the development of LNPs for the delivery of nucleic acid-based therapeutics [ 6 ]. LNPs are commonly used as vehicles for the delivery of such therapeutics because they have a low immunogenicity and can be manufactured at scale. However, expanding the toolbox of delivery platforms for these novel therapeutics will be critical to realise their full clinical potential.

Synthetic biology is also a rapidly growing area, whereby artificial or existing biological systems are designed to produce products or enhance cellular function. By using CRISPR to edit genes involved in metabolic pathways, researchers can create organisms that produce valuable compounds such as biofuels, drugs, and industrial chemicals. In their Perspective, Kitano and colleagues take stock of the technological advances that have propelled the “design-build-test-learn” cycle methodology forward in synthetic biology, as well as focusing on how machine-learning approaches can remove the bottlenecks in these pipelines [ 5 ].

While the potential of these technologies is vast, there are also concerns about their safety and ethical implications. Gene editing, in particular, raises ethical concerns, as it could be used to create so-called “designer babies” with specific traits or to enhance physical or mental capabilities. There are also concerns about the unintended consequences of gene editing, such as off-target effects that could cause unintended harm. These technologies can be improved by better understanding the interplay between editing tools and DNA repair pathways, and it will be essential for scientists and policymakers to be cautious and work together to establish guidelines and regulations for their use, as outlined at the recent International Summit on Human Genome Editing .

Basic research has also benefitted from biotechnological developments. For instance, methodological developments in super-resolution microscopy offer researchers the ability to image cells at exquisite detail and answer previously inaccessible research questions. Sequencing technologies such as Nanopore sequencers are revolutionising the ability to sequence long DNA/RNA reads in real time and in the field. Great strides have also been made in the development of analysis software for structural biology purposes, such as sub-tomogram averaging for cryo-EM [ 8 ]. The rate of scientific discovery is now at an unprecedented level in this age of big data as a result of these huge technological leaps.

The past few years has also seen the launch of AI tools such as ChatGPT. While these tools are increasingly being used to help write students homework or to improve the text of scientific papers, generative AI tools hold the potential to transform research and development in the biotechnology industry. The recently developed language model ProGen can generate and then predict function in protein sequences [ 9 ], and these models can also be used to find therapeutically relevant compounds for drug discovery. Protein structure prediction programs, such as AlphaFold [ 10 ] and RosettaFold, have revolutionized structural biology and can be used for a myriad of purposes. We have recently published several papers that have utilized AlphaFold models to develop methods that determine the structural context of post-translational modifications [ 11 ] and predict autophagy-related motifs in proteins [ 12 ].

The future of biotechnology is clearly very promising and we look forward to being part of the dissemination of these important new developments. Open access science sits at the core of our mission and the publication of these novel technologies in PLOS Biology can help their widespread adoption and ensure global access. As we look forward during this year of celebration, we are excited that biotechnology research will continue to grow and become a central part of the journal. The future is bright and the future is very much biotechnology.

• View Article
• PubMed/NCBI
• Google Scholar

• Search by keyword
• Search by citation

Page 1 of 36

A marker-free genetic manipulation method for Glaesserella parasuis strains developed by alternately culturing transformants at 37°C and 30°C

Glaesserella parasuis ( G. parasuis ) is the causative agent of Glässer’s disease, which causes significant economic losses in the swine industry. However, research on the pathogenesis of G. parasuis has been hampe...

• View Full Text

Purification and characterization of soluble recombinant Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus glycoprotein Gc expressed in mammalian 293F cells

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne zoonotic disease that presents with severe hemorrhagic manifestations and is associated with significant fatality rates. The causative agent, Crimean-Cong...

Nitric oxide mediates positive regulation of Nostoc flagelliforme polysaccharide yield via potential S-nitrosylation of G6PDH and UGDH

Based on our previous findings that salicylic acid and jasmonic acid increased Nostoc flagelliforme polysaccharide yield by regulating intracellular nitric oxide (NO) levels, the mechanism through which NO affect...

Correction: Comparison of lipidome profiles in serum from lactating dairy cows supplemented with Acremonium terrestris culture based on UPLC-QTRAP-MS/MS

The original article was published in BMC Biotechnology 2024 24 :56

Comparison of lipidome profiles in serum from lactating dairy cows supplemented with Acremonium terrestris culture based on UPLC-QTRAP-MS/MS

This study evaluated the effects of supplementing the diet of lactating cows with Acremonium terrestris culture (ATC) on milk production, serum antioxidant capacity, inflammatory indices, and serum lipid metabolo...

The Correction to this article has been published in BMC Biotechnology 2024 24 :57

Recombinant hirudin and PAR-1 regulate macrophage polarisation status in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a malignant tumour. Although some standard therapies have been established to improve the cure rate, they remain ineffective for specific individuals. Therefore, it is ...

Antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of flavonoid and phenolics extracted from Sepia pharaonis ink (Mollusca: Cephalopoda)

Several studies have been reported previously on the bioactivities of different extracts of marine molluscs. Therefore, we decided to evaluate the cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities of S. pharaonis ink as a h...

Biocompatibility and potential anticancer activity of gadolinium oxide (Gd 2 O 3 ) nanoparticles against nasal squamous cell carcinoma

Chemotherapy as a cornerstone of cancer treatment is slowly being edged aside owing to its severe side effects and systemic toxicity. In this case, nanomedicine has emerged as an effective tool to address thes...

In vitro evaluation of PLGA loaded hesperidin on colorectal cancer cell lines: an insight into nano delivery system

Colorectal cancer is a common disease worldwide with non-specific symptoms such as blood in the stool, bowel movements, weight loss and fatigue. Chemotherapy drugs can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiti...

Ferula latisecta gels for synthesis of zinc/silver binary nanoparticles: antibacterial effects against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and physicochemical characteristics

This study explores the potential antibacterial applications of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) enhanced with silver (Ag) using plant gel (ZnO-AgO NPs). The problem addressed is the increasing prevalence of...

Validation of a rapid collagenase activity detection technique based on fluorescent quenched gelatin with synovial fluid samples

Measuring collagenase activity is crucial in the field of joint health and disease management. Collagenases, enzymes responsible for collagen degradation, play a vital role in maintaining the balance between c...

Characterization of a thermostable protease from Bacillus subtilis BSP strain

This study used conservative one variable-at-a-time study and statistical surface response methods to increase the yields of an extracellular thermostable protease secreted by a newly identified thermophilic Baci...

Recombinant human enamelin produced in Escherichia coli promotes mineralization in vitro

Enamelin is an enamel matrix protein that plays an essential role in the formation of enamel, the most mineralized tissue in the human body. Previous studies using animal models and proteins from natural sourc...

Antibacterial and antibiofilm potentials of vancomycin-loaded niosomal drug delivery system against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections

The threat of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is increasing worldwide, making it significantly necessary to discover a novel way of dealing with related infections. The quick spread of MRSA iso...

Optimisation of indole acetic acid production by Neopestalotiopsis aotearoa endophyte isolated from Thymus vulgaris and its impact on seed germination of Ocimum basilicum

Microbial growth during plant tissue culture is a common problem that causes significant losses in the plant micro-propagation system. Most of these endophytic microbes have the ability to propagate through ho...

Design of a novel multi-epitope vaccine against Marburg virus using immunoinformatics studies

Marburg virus (MARV) is a highly contagious and virulent agent belonging to Filoviridae family. MARV causes severe hemorrhagic fever in humans and non-human primates. Owing to its highly virulent nature, preventi...

Increased stable integration efficiency in CHO cells through enhanced nuclear localization of Bxb1 serine integrase

Mammalian display is an appealing technology for therapeutic antibody development. Despite the advantages of mammalian display, such as full-length IgG display with mammalian glycosylation and its inherent abi...

Screening of Candida spp. in wastewater in Brazil during COVID-19 pandemic: workflow for monitoring fungal pathogens

Fungal diseases are often linked to poverty, which is associated with poor hygiene and sanitation conditions that have been severely worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, COVID-19 patients are treated w...

Transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants expressing bacterial γ-hexachlorocyclohexane dehydrochlorinase LinA

γ-Hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH), an organochlorine insecticide of anthropogenic origin, is a persistent organic pollutant (POP) that causes environmental pollution concerns worldwide. Although many γ-HCH-degra...

Molecular and agro-morphological characterization of new barley genotypes in arid environments

Genetic diversity, population structure, agro-morphological traits, and molecular characteristics, are crucial for either preserving genetic resources or developing new cultivars. Due to climate change, water ...

Microvesicles-delivering Smad7 have advantages over microvesicles in suppressing fibroblast differentiation in a model of Peyronie’s disease

This study compared the differences of microvesicles (MVs) and microvesicles-delivering Smad7 (Smad7-MVs) on macrophage M1 polarization and fibroblast differentiation in a model of Peyronie’s disease (PD).

Improvement and prediction of the extraction parameters of lupeol and stigmasterol metabolites of Melia azedarach with response surface methodology

Melia azedarach is known as a medicinal plant that has wide biological activities such as analgesic, antibacterial, and antifungal effects and is used to treat a wide range of diseases such as diarrhea, malaria, ...

Dual release of daptomycin and BMP-2 from a composite of β-TCP ceramic and ADA gelatin

Antibiotic-containing carrier systems are one option that offers the advantage of releasing active ingredients over a longer period of time. In vitro sustained drug release from a carrier system consisting of ...

Minimizing IP issues associated with gene constructs encoding the Bt toxin - a case study

As part of a publicly funded initiative to develop genetically engineered Brassicas (cabbage, cauliflower, and canola) expressing Bacillus thuringiensis Crystal ( Cry )-encoded insecticidal (Bt) toxin for Indian an...

Activating the healing process: three-dimensional culture of stem cells in Matrigel for tissue repair

To establish a strategy for stem cell-related tissue regeneration therapy, human gingival mesenchymal stem cells (hGMSCs) were loaded with three-dimensional (3D) bioengineered Matrigel matrix scaffolds in high...

Co-overexpression of chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase significantly enhanced the resistance of Iranian wheat cultivars to Fusarium

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a devastating fungal disease affecting different cereals, particularly wheat, and poses a serious threat to global wheat production. Chitinases and β-glucanases are two important ...

A new mRNA structure prediction based approach to identifying improved signal peptides for bone morphogenetic protein 2

Signal peptide (SP) engineering has proven able to improve production of many proteins yet is a laborious process that still relies on trial and error. mRNA structure around the translational start site is imp...

Correction: Transcriptomic and targeted metabolomic analyses provide insights into the flavonoids biosynthesis in the flowers of Lonicera macranthoides

The original article was published in BMC Biotechnology 2024 24 :19

A model approach to show that monocytes can enter microporous β-TCP ceramics

β-TCP ceramics are versatile bone substitute materials and show many interactions with cells of the monocyte-macrophage-lineage. The possibility of monocytes entering microporous β-TCP ceramics has however not...

Nutritional composition, lipid profile and stability, antioxidant activities and sensory evaluation of pasta enriched by linseed flour and linseed oil

Pasta assortments fortified with high quality foods are a modern nutritional trends. This study, explored the effects of fortification with linseed flour (LF) and linseed oil (LO) on durum wheat pasta characte...

In vitro assessment of the effect of magnetic fields on efficacy of biosynthesized selenium nanoparticles by Alborzia kermanshahica

Cyanobacteria represent a rich resource of a wide array of unique bioactive compounds that are proving to be potent sources of anticancer drugs. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have shown an increasing potentia...

ECM-mimetic, NSAIDs loaded thermo-responsive, immunomodulatory hydrogel for rheumatoid arthritis treatment

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease, and it leads to irreversible inflammation in intra-articular joints. Current treatment approaches for RA include non-steroidal anti-infla...

Development of a chemiluminescence assay for tissue plasminogen activator inhibitor complex and its applicability to gastric cancer

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), is a noteworthy complication in individuals with gastric cancer, but the current diagnosis and treatment methods lack accuracy. In this study, we developed a t-PAIC chemiluminesce...

High-performance internal circulation anaerobic granular sludge reactor for cattle slaughterhouse wastewater treatment and simultaneous biogas production

This research investigates the efficacy of a high-performance pilot-scale Internal Circulation Anaerobic Reactor inoculated with Granular Sludge (ICAGSR) for treating cattle slaughterhouse wastewater while con...

Hindering the biofilm of microbial pathogens and cancer cell lines development using silver nanoparticles synthesized by epidermal mucus proteins from Clarias gariepinus

Scientists know very little about the mechanisms underlying fish skin mucus, despite the fact that it is a component of the immune system. Fish skin mucus is an important component of defence against invasive ...

3D printing of Ceffe-infused scaffolds for tailored nipple-like cartilage development

The reconstruction of a stable, nipple-shaped cartilage graft that precisely matches the natural nipple in shape and size on the contralateral side is a clinical challenge. While 3D printing technology can eff...

A cleavable peptide adapter augments the activity of targeted toxins in combination with the glycosidic endosomal escape enhancer SO1861

Treatment with tumor-targeted toxins attempts to overcome the disadvantages of conventional cancer therapies by directing a drug’s cytotoxic effect specifically towards cancer cells. However, success with targ...

Multiprotein collagen/keratin hydrogel promoted myogenesis and angiogenesis of injured skeletal muscles in a mouse model

Volumetric loss is one of the challenging issues in muscle tissue structure that causes functio laesa . Tissue engineering of muscle tissue using suitable hydrogels is an alternative to restoring the physiological...

Analysis of the impact of pluronic acid on the thermal stability and infectivity of AAV6.2FF

The advancement of AAV vectors into clinical testing has accelerated rapidly over the past two decades. While many of the AAV vectors being utilized in clinical trials are derived from natural serotypes, engin...

Rice yellow mottle virus is a suitable amplicon vector for an efficient production of an anti-leishmianiasis vaccine in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves

Since the 2000’s, plants have been used as bioreactors for the transient production of molecules of interest such as vaccines. To improve protein yield, “amplicon” vectors based on plant viruses are used. Thes...

Extraction and analysis of high-quality chloroplast DNA with reduced nuclear DNA for medicinal plants

Obtaining high-quality chloroplast genome sequences requires chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) samples that meet the sequencing requirements. The quality of extracted cpDNA directly impacts the efficiency and accuracy o...

Transcriptomic and targeted metabolomic analyses provide insights into the flavonoids biosynthesis in the flowers of Lonicera macranthoides

Flavonoids are one of the bioactive ingredients of Lonicera macranthoides ( L. macranthoides ), however, their biosynthesis in the flower is still unclear. In this study, combined transcriptomic and targeted metabo...

The Correction to this article has been published in BMC Biotechnology 2024 24 :33

Effects of solid lipid nanocarrier containing methyl urolithin A by coating folate-bound chitosan and evaluation of its anti-cancer activity

Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems have received much attention over the past decade. In the present study, we synthesized Methyl Urolithin A-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles decorated with the folic a...

Neq2X7: a multi-purpose and open-source fusion DNA polymerase for advanced DNA engineering and diagnostics PCR

Thermostable DNA polymerases, such as Taq isolated from the thermophilic bacterium Thermus aquaticus , enable one-pot exponential DNA amplification known as polymerase chain reaction (PCR). However, properties oth...

A solution for highly efficient electroporation of primary cytotoxic T lymphocytes

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are central players in the adaptive immune response. Their functional characterization and clinical research depend on efficient and reliable transfection. Although various metho...

Adsorption of Hg 2+ /Cr 6+ by metal-binding proteins heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli

Removal of heavy metals from water and soil is a pressing challenge in environmental engineering, and biosorption by microorganisms is considered as one of the most cost-effective methods. In this study, the m...

Derivation of a novel antimicrobial peptide from the Red Sea Brine Pools modified to enhance its anticancer activity against U2OS cells

Cancer associated drug resistance is a major cause for cancer aggravation, particularly as conventional therapies have presented limited efficiency, low specificity, resulting in long term deleterious side eff...

Polyphyllin B inhibited STAT3/NCOA4 pathway and restored gut microbiota to ameliorate lung tissue injury in cigarette smoke-induced mice

Smoking was a major risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study plan to explore the mechanism of Polyphyllin B in lung injury induced by cigarette smoke (CSE) in COPD.

Quantifying carboxymethyl lysine and carboxyethyl lysine in human plasma: clinical insights into aging research using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

The objective of this study was to establish a methodology for determining carboxymethyl lysine (CML) and carboxyethyl lysine (CEL) concentrations in human plasma using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectr...

Iron/Copper/Phosphate nanocomposite as antimicrobial, antisnail, and wheat growth-promoting agent

One of the current challenges is to secure wheat crop production to meet the increasing global food demand and to face the increase in its purchasing power. Therefore, the current study aimed to exploit a new ...

Important information

Editorial board

For authors

For editorial board members

For reviewers

• Manuscript editing services
• Follow us on Twitter

Annual Journal Metrics

Citation Impact 2023 Journal Impact Factor: 3.5 5-year Journal Impact Factor: 3.2 Source Normalized Impact per Paper (SNIP): 0.933 SCImago Journal Rank (SJR): 0.724 Speed 2023 Submission to first editorial decision (median days): 11 Submission to acceptance (median days): 155 Usage 2023 Downloads: 1,134,875 Altmetric mentions: 518

• More about our metrics

BMC Biotechnology

ISSN: 1472-6750

• General enquiries: [email protected]

• Interesting
• Scholarships
• UGC-CARE Journals

Top 50 Emerging Research Topics in Biotechnology

Trending Research Topics in Biotechnology

Biotechnology is a dynamic field that continuously shapes our world, enabling innovation, breakthroughs, and solutions to various challenges. As we move into the future, numerous emerging research areas promise to revolutionize healthcare, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and more. The top 50 emerging research topics in biotechnology are presented in this article.

1. Gene Editing and Genomic Engineering

a. CRISPR and Gene Editing

Precision Medicine : Developing targeted therapies for various diseases using CRISPR/Cas9 and other gene-editing tools.

Ethical Implications : Exploring and addressing ethical concerns surrounding CRISPR use in human embryos and germline editing.

Agricultural Advancements : Enhancing crop resistance and nutritional content through gene editing of improved farm outcomes.

Gene Drive Technology : Investigating the potential of gene drive technology to control vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue fever.

Regulatory Frameworks : Establishing global regulations for responsible gene editing applications in different fields.

b. Synthetic Biology

Bioengineering Microbes : Creating engineered microorganisms for sustainable production of fuels, pharmaceuticals, and materials.

Designer Organisms : Designing novel organisms with specific functionalities for environmental remediation or industrial processes.

Cell-Free Systems : Developing cell-free systems for various applications, including drug production and biosensors.

Biosecurity Measures : Addressing concerns regarding the potential misuse of synthetic biology for bioterrorism.

Standardization and Automation : Standardizing synthetic biology methodologies and automating processes to streamline production.

2. Personalized Medicine and Pharmacogenomics

a. Precision Medicine

Individualized Treatment : Tailoring medical treatment based on a person’s genetic makeup and environmental factors.

Cancer Therapy : Advancing targeted cancer therapies based on the genetic profile of tumors and patients.

Data Analytics : Implementing big data and AI for comprehensive analysis of genomic and clinical data to improve treatment outcomes.

Clinical Implementation : Integrating genetic testing into routine clinical practice for personalized healthcare.

Public Health and Policy : Addressing the challenges of integrating personalized medicine into public health policies and practices.

b. Pharmacogenomics

Drug Development : Optimizing drug development based on individual genetic variations to improve efficacy and reduce side effects.

Adverse Drug Reactions : Understanding genetic predispositions to adverse drug reactions and minimizing risks.

Dosing Optimization : Tailoring drug dosage based on an individual’s genetic profile for better treatment outcomes.

Economic Implications : Assessing the economic impact of pharmacogenomics on healthcare systems.

Education and Training : Educating healthcare professionals on integrating pharmacogenomic data into clinical practice.

3. Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine

a. Nanoparticles in Medicine

Drug Delivery Systems : Developing targeted drug delivery systems using nanoparticles for enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects.

Theranostics : Integrating diagnostics and therapeutics through nanomaterials for personalized medicine.

Imaging Techniques : Advancing imaging technologies using nanoparticles for better resolution and early disease detection.

Biocompatibility and Safety : Ensuring the safety and biocompatibility of nanoparticles used in medicine.

Regulatory Frameworks : Establishing regulations for the use of nanomaterials in medical applications.

b. Nanosensors and Diagnostics

Point-of-Care Diagnostics : Developing portable and rapid diagnostic tools for various diseases using nanotechnology.

Biosensors : Creating highly sensitive biosensors for detecting biomarkers and pathogens in healthcare and environmental monitoring.

Wearable Health Monitors : Integrating nanosensors into wearable devices for continuous health monitoring.

Challenges and Limitations : Addressing challenges in scalability, reproducibility, and cost-effectiveness of nanosensor technologies.

Future Applications : Exploring potential applications of nanosensors beyond healthcare, such as environmental monitoring and food safety.

4. Immunotherapy and Vaccine Development

a. Cancer Immunotherapy

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors : Enhancing the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors and understanding resistance mechanisms.

CAR-T Cell Therapy : Improving CAR-T cell therapy for a wider range of cancers and reducing associated side effects.

Combination Therapies : Investigating combination therapies for better outcomes in cancer treatment.

Biomarkers and Predictive Models : Identifying predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy response.

Long-Term Effects : Studying the long-term effects and immune-related adverse events of immunotherapies.

b. Vaccine Technology

mRNA Vaccines : Advancing mRNA vaccine technology for various infectious diseases and cancers.

Universal Vaccines : Developing universal vaccines targeting multiple strains of viruses and bacteria.

Vaccine Delivery Systems : Innovating vaccine delivery methods for improved stability and efficacy.

Vaccine Hesitancy : Addressing vaccine hesitancy through education, communication, and community engagement.

Pandemic Preparedness : Developing strategies for rapid vaccine development and deployment during global health crises.

5. Environmental Biotechnology and Sustainability

a. Bioremediation and Bioenergy

Biodegradation Techniques : Using biotechnology to enhance the degradation of pollutants and contaminants in the environment.

Biofuels : Developing sustainable biofuel production methods from renewable resources.

Microbial Fuel Cells : Harnessing microbial fuel cells for energy generation from organic waste.

Circular Economy : Integrating biotechnological solutions for a circular economy and waste management.

Ecosystem Restoration : Using biotechnology for the restoration of ecosystems affected by pollution and climate change.

b. Agricultural Biotechnology

Genetically Modified Crops : Advancing genetically modified crops for improved yields, pest resistance, and nutritional content.

Precision Agriculture : Implementing biotechnological tools for precise and sustainable farming practices.

Climate-Resilient Crops : Developing crops resilient to climate change-induced stresses.

Micro-biome Applications : Leveraging the plant micro-biome for enhanced crop health and productivity.

Consumer Acceptance and Regulation : Addressing consumer concerns and regulatory challenges related to genetically modified crops.

The field of biotechnology is a beacon of hope for addressing the challenges of our time, offering promising solutions for healthcare, sustainability, and more. As researchers explore these emerging topics, the potential for ground-breaking discoveries and transformative applications is immense.

I hope this article will help you to find the top research topics in biotechnology that promise to revolutionize healthcare, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and more.

• Drug delivery
• Environmental Engineering
• Gene editing
• Genomic Engineering
• Molecular Biology
• Nanoparticles
• Pharmacogenomics
• Research Ideas
• Synthetic biology

100 Cutting-Edge Research Ideas in Civil Engineering

What is a phd a comprehensive guide for indian scientists and aspiring researchers, abstract template for research paper, most popular, 24 best online plagiarism checker free – 2024, indo-sri lanka joint research programme 2024, top 488 scopus indexed journals in computer science – open access, scopus indexed journals list 2024, 480 ugc care list of journals – science – 2024, the nippon foundation fellowship programme 2025, fellowships in india 2024 -comprehensive guide, agi in research: unraveling the future of artificial intelligence, best for you, popular posts, popular category.

• POSTDOC 317
• Interesting 257
• Journals 236
• Fellowship 134
• Research Methodology 102
• All Scopus Indexed Journals 94

Mail Subscription

iLovePhD is a research education website to know updated research-related information. It helps researchers to find top journals for publishing research articles and get an easy manual for research tools. The main aim of this website is to help Ph.D. scholars who are working in various domains to get more valuable ideas to carry out their research. Learn the current groundbreaking research activities around the world, love the process of getting a Ph.D.

Contact us: [email protected]

Google News

Copyright © 2024 iLovePhD. All rights reserved

• Artificial intelligence

An official website of the United States government

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

• Publications
• Account settings

Preview improvements coming to the PMC website in October 2024. Learn More or Try it out now .

• Advanced Search
• Journal List
• Elsevier - PMC COVID-19 Collection

Biotechnology for Tomorrow’s World: Scenarios to Guide Directions for Future Innovation

Marc cornelissen.

1 BASF Agricultural Solutions Belgium NV, Gent, Belgium

Aleksandra Małyska

2 European Commission DG Research and Innovation, Brussels, Belgium

Amrit Kaur Nanda

3 Plants for the Future’ European Technology Platform, Brussels, Belgium

René Klein Lankhorst

4 Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands

Martin A.J. Parry

5 Lancaster University, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster, Lancashire, UK

Vandasue Rodrigues Saltenis

6 Copenhagen Plant Science Centre (CPSC), Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

Mathias Pribil

Philippe nacry.

7 Biochemistry and Plant Molecular Physiology CNRS/INRAE/SupAgro/Univ. Montpellier, Montpellier, France

Dirk Inzé

8 Ghent University, Department of Plant Biotechnology, Gent, Belgium

9 VIB Centre for Plant Systems Biology, Gent, Belgium

Alexandra Baekelandt

Depending on how the future will unfold, today’s progress in biotechnology research has greater or lesser potential to be the basis of subsequent innovation. Tracking progress against indicators for different future scenarios will help to focus, emphasize, or de-emphasize discovery research in a timely manner and to maximize the chance for successful innovation. In this paper, we show how learning scenarios with a 2050 time horizon help to recognize the implications of political and societal developments on the innovation potential of ongoing biotechnological research. We also propose a model to further increase open innovation between academia and the biotechnology value chain to help fundamental research explore discovery fields that have a greater chance to be valuable for applied research.

Developing Scenarios for Biotechnology in Complex Social Systems

Biological science is expanding its knowledge frontiers at an ever-accelerating pace. The progressing insights into biological processes offer a broadening array of options to develop incremental and differential innovations across the medical, agricultural, and industrial biotechnology sectors.

As timelines from understanding basic biological processes to the conception of an innovation and the development of a marketable product may range from 10 to 25 years, a prime question for today’s biotechnology discovery research is ‘innovation for what future world?’ ( Figure 1 ).

Innovation Flow.

In the coming 15 years, the market will be served by R&D that is performed today. Different biotechnology sectors address changes in demand by repositioning and emphasizing what is in today’s pipeline. New R&D and public research ideally address the demand of the future market. Scenario analysis is well suited to narrow down the most promising fields of investigation and to address the unmet needs of future markets. Abbreviations: R, research; D, development.

To this end, in 2019, we conducted a first-of-its-kind scenario analysis with a 2050 time horizon to understand the option space of agricultural biotechnology. i Forty-five trends and 22 uncertainties dealing with the entire agricultural socioeconomic system were reviewed to map the range of directions the future may take and to narrow down how agricultural biotechnology could best future-proof food, nutrition, and health security. Trends ranged from consumer and demographics, farming and technology to politics, economy, and societal developments while identified uncertainties were clustered around three themes: needs for adaptation, priorities in the value chain, and the role of science ( Figure 2 ).

Trends and Uncertainties.

Trends are considered developments going in a certain direction, while uncertainties can determine distinct outcomes with very different implications. Here the two most extreme ways that the uncertainties could play out are presented. Examples of specific uncertainties clustered around three more general themes are provided in the footnote. The exercise delivered four contrasting learning scenarios by detailing out specific aspects of possible future worlds and making them as concrete and vivid as possible ( Figure 3 ). As the selected trends and uncertainties deal with society, environment, innovation, and policy, the learning scenarios helped to characterize implications not only for the future of agriculture in Europe, which was the initial scope of the scenario building, but they can also serve to aid decisions on future research and innovation (R&I) investments in other fields of biotechnology globally. Abbreviations: AI, artificial intelligence; AR, augmented reality; NBT, new breeding technique; VR, virtual reality.

In order to identify toward which scenario today’s world is heading, relevant indicators need to be developed [ 1 , 2 ]. For this, the critical developments or events that will be necessary for a scenario to arise need to be named, put in a chronological order through narratives, and checked for their informative value. Learning scenarios are reusable, and the scope of the indicators identified will depend on the diversity of expertise within the team exploiting the learning scenarios ( Figure 3 ). Obvious examples of indicators are the developments around the legislation related to gene editing in the Bio-innovation and REJECTech scenario or personal data protection regulations in the My Choice scenario, while for instance the evolution of water availability in a particular country can be an indicator for Food Emergency, as well as for Bio-innovation or REJECTech.

Learning Scenarios.

Four contrasting learning scenarios enable us to delineate the option space for the direction and context of future biotechnology. Bio-innovation : Biotechnology solutions are intensively used and sustainably provide sufficient high-quality food and large-volume feedstock for a thriving bioeconomy; My Choice : Health and sustainability concerns drive all sectors to be diverse and transparent; meeting the needs and preferences of individuals, personalized medicine, and nutrition are the norm; REJECTech : Consumers have little trust in politicians, scientists, and big industry. Society is highly polarized and rejects biotechnology-derived products and services, despite dissatisfaction about missed opportunities, such as a broad adoption of the bioeconomy due to limited agricultural production; Food Emergency : Due to severe environmental degradation, the world is struggling to fulfill basic food demand. In response to the crisis, global adoption of innovation, including biotechnology, occurs to mitigate impacts.

Steering Focus in Biotechnology Discovery Research with Scenarios

The way the world will evolve will depend on a myriad of developments. Examples are the transition to renewable energy and decentralized storage, the global policy approach to enable the use of new genomic technologies, patients embracing new treatments, society buying into preventive medicine or demanding transparency about food properties, dietary shifts, development of new high-tech materials, shifts in lifestyle, and progress in robotics and artificial intelligence. Following such developments and extrapolating their long-term impact on the way we live may inspire scientists to take a translational step and to open avenues of biotechnology discovery research that would provide the starting basis for research and innovation (R&I) addressing future needs.

Biotechnology discovery research will undoubtedly be at the core of numerous innovations that will reach society by 2050. However, depending on how the future will unfold, today’s progress in biotechnology research has a greater or lesser potential to be the basis of subsequent innovation. In addition, the lack of a widespread open innovation culture between industry and academia increases the risk of missing out on innovation that trend-wise is likely to meet industry or consumer demand.

For example, it is clear that the demand for climate change-related biotechnology innovation will be high, and will be supported by policy makers [ 3 , 4 ]. However, what the unmet needs will be for the different stakeholder groups is still unclear. Effects on cities, gardens, parks, lakes, and crop fields linked to shifts and volatility in weather and the resulting new environmental conditions, including new pests and diseases, are not yet fully appreciated. Consequently, a translational step from innovation opportunity to required new knowledge is not obvious. Similarly, it is not clear how to incorporate innovation into products [ 5 ]. It may range from gene editing to novel knowledge-driven, societally accepted workflows that are not yet in place. The first activity, developing climate change know–how, has a low risk of not being of relevance. The second, developing biotechnology innovation addressing climate change, is dependent on how policies develop across the globe, and therefore carries a higher risk [ 6 ]. For example, whereas it is conceivable in a bio-innovation world that society may see a broad replacement of fossil-based synthetic materials by bio-based alternatives, such a development is less likely to occur in a REJECTech setting, as although the know–how to do so would exist, the technical enablement would not be supported.

Another example relates to the exploitation of the microbiome. As microbes impact most, if not all, complex ecological systems, exploitation of biological know–how is expected to offer innovation options in a broad range of biotechnology fields and be at the core of new markets and business models. These may include medicine, health care, food systems, industrial and household processes and materials, resource recycling, and energy capture. For this to become reality, broad fundamental biotechnology discovery research on microbiomes needs to reach a tipping point, so that R&I for smaller and bigger opportunities across sectors becomes viable [ 7 ]. This necessitates a major public effort to advance precompetitive know–how and an enablement to a level sufficient for sector adoption within a reasonable risk perspective on a return of investment. A flagship approach in, for example, medicine building on ongoing big data efforts, such as in the human ‘100K genomes project’ ii , may serve as a vehicle to reach, in a 5-year time span, the desired state of enablement and allow smaller initiatives to build on this cost-effectively. However, an entrepreneurial ecosystem is critical for this to happen, implying that such developments are more likely to occur under a Bio-innovation scenario or even in a Food Emergency scenario, once society starts prioritizing access to food and health.

A third example refers to diet shifts toward alternative protein sources. Consumer choice strongly depends on food properties such as taste, texture, palatability, color, convenience, and price. Making alternative protein products competitive to meat would require, among other improvements, major advances in biological insights to upgrade food sources [ 8 ]. The challenge is to get specific on the carriers, such as algae, insects, crops, fermentation, and so on, and the exact properties, so that the investments in biotechnology discovery have a practical effect. How to do this successfully is not obvious as it is currently not clear which products and product properties will match future market demands. This re-emphasizes the importance of contrasting learning scenarios and the need to identify scenario-specific indicators to get insights early in time about how particular trends are panning out. These indicators may relate to yes/no decision points in policy development, or the timely establishment of critical enabling technologies or of sizeable consumer demands. Tracking progress of multiple, scenario-specific indicators thus helps to steer focus in discovery research and to emphasize or de-emphasize timely manner to maximize the chance for successful innovation.

A current real-life example is the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, an occurrence that was not foreseen because of which only relatively small and scattered efforts of research have been conducted prior to the pandemic. The current R&I race to develop a cure and vaccine against COVID-19 would have greatly benefitted from an advanced knowledge on coronaviruses, obtained through biotechnology discovery research [ 9 , 10 ]. Of course, in hindsight it is easy to highlight what should have been done. In practice, there are several million viruses in the world, over 200 of which are known to infect humans. Conducting extensive research on all these viruses in parallel would be too labor-intensive and unsustainable from an economical point of view. However, the current crisis reveals the advantage in time the use of scenario indicators can offer to international and local organizations dealing with public health. Such indicators might have flagged previous smaller outbreaks of other coronaviruses such as SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome) in the past two decades. These outbreaks could then have been predictive for scenarios in which coronaviruses would become a major threat to human health, and could have triggered dedicated funding to advance specific biotechnological know–how, as well as to develop strategies to minimize the spread of this type of disease. Major funding is currently being gathered to mitigate the consequences of the COVID-19 crisis, including $8 billion pledged by world leaders to support dedicated R&I iii . However, today’s continuing need to conduct significant biotechnology discovery research means that time, not necessarily funding per se , is a bottleneck. Along the same lines, developing scenarios today to understand how the future may unfold in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic could help anticipate the long-term consequences of the actions that are being taken and could allow countries, states, and communities to react to the crisis more effectively. In the context of the scenarios presented in Figure 3 , the current pandemic emerges as a relevant indicator for the Food Emergency scenario. A global economic crisis may put critical agricultural supply chains at risk, such that food security becomes an even greater issue in certain world regions.

Concluding Remarks

The aforementioned biotechnology examples demonstrate the risk of a low innovation output when the founding know–how obtained from discovery research is not readily available and accessible in a usable format. The timely availability of founding know–how may greatly improve by adopting the use of learning scenarios and the tracking of progress against indicators for these scenarios. To make such an approach effective, several outstanding issues need to be addressed first (see Outstanding Questions).

We strongly believe that to improve the innovation output, the discussion should go beyond financial instruments and creativity. Rather, we would recommend looking at how the innovation ecosystem functions [ 11 ]. To maximize the utility of advances in know–how, the current working principles between academia, value chain players, and society would benefit from extensive review. Biological science needs a continuous cross-stakeholder interaction to move more efficiently from discovery to innovation. To steer biotechnological R&I more efficiently, an open innovation governance concept to deal with precompetitive and competitive big data information and activities is an absolute prerequisite.

We therefore propose to install virtual innovation workflows spanning academia and value chain players to address societal demands ( Figure 4 ). The idea is to set up dedicated ecosystem knowledge bases that serve, for example, the medical, agricultural, or industrial biotechnology sectors or serve a broad innovation field such as the microbiome. These ecosystem knowledge bases should harbor harmonized and curated data in formats tailored to stakeholder use requirements. Such requirements can be defined for each of the biotechnology fields in a two-step process. First the generic workflow at handover points between academia and value chain players should be described, followed by the data and format requirements in this generic workflow, which would be necessary to start. These processes should ideally be described in both directions. In addition, users extracting information with their own software, if private, should commit to upload outcomes that are made anonymous, so that the next round of experimental questions can consider advanced information, and the knowledge base increases over time both in scope and in predictiveness.

Outline of a Future ‘Virtual Innovation Workflow’ Driven by Biotechnology Big Data Governance.

An example is given for agricultural innovation in Europe. To meaningfully contribute to the EU Green Deal, a rejuvenation of the agricultural ecosystem including academia, breeding and R&D companies, farm supply industry, and farmers is desirable. Required innovations should address environmental sustainability, impacts of increased weather volatility, climate change and associated pest and disease development, the European protein plan, development of more healthy and nutritious food, and an enablement of the bioeconomy. It should offer a lever to improve farm economics structurally through product branding and traceability. The novelty of the proposed ‘virtual innovation workflow’ is the bidirectional handover of outcomes and the holistic integration of data coming from plant, microbial, soil, agronomy, robotization, machine learning, modeling, and weather/climate disciplines. Critical success factors are, among others, the alignment of key performance indicators of stakeholders, incentives to participate, an open innovation attitude, a common benchmark to measure progress, smartly located research field stations, dedicated data centers with a user-oriented data curation, harmonization, storage and display approach, and an agreeable data governance concept. A pipeline of consecutive innovations can be primed by raising, over time, the requirements to successfully pass the formal variety testing and registration process. Customer demand (not shown) is in this example translated to requirements for official variety testing trials that, for example, meet progressively increasing levels of sustainability.

To make this workable and sustainable, appropriate business models and governance concepts to deal with, among others, data ownership and intellectual property need to be developed, and dedicated data stewardship teams need to be installed. Setting this up will likely need several rounds of optimization to reach the best compromise between stakeholder interests. Yet, it is well positioned to improve the overall flow of innovation to the market and to offer the desired flexibility to deal with upcoming trends in an ever-changing world.

Outstanding Questions

How to motivate all relevant stakeholders to jointly develop a common understanding of learning scenarios and their impact?

How to ensure that scenarios are updated in a timely manner to address specific developments over time, including aspects that were not covered during earlier scenario exercises?

How to organize the tracking of indicators and the dissemination of weaker and stronger signals that may indicate direction of change before any of the scenarios fully materializes?

How to improve the quality of scenario development and its utilization by the latest developments in digitalization and artificial intelligence?

Alt-text: Outstanding Questions

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr Axel Sommer for his support and guidance on Scenario Analysis carried out under CropBooster-P. This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 817690.

Disclaimer Statement

Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the European Commission.

i https://www.cropbooster-p.eu/

ii https://www.genomicsengland.co.uk/

iii https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-eu-virus/world-leaders-pledge-8-billion-to-fight-covid-19-but-us-steers-clear-idUSKBN22G0RM

Top 50 Research Topics in Biotechnology

Table of Contents

Biotechnology

Research in biotechnology can helps in bringing massive changes in humankind and lead to a better life. In the last few years, there have been so many leaps, and paces of innovations as scientists worldwide worked to develop and produce novel mRNA vaccinations and brought some significant developments in biotechnology. During this period, they also faced many challenges. Disturbances in the supply chain and the pandemic significantly impacted biotech labs and researchers, forcing lab managers to become ingenious in buying lab supplies, planning experiments, and using technology for maintaining research schedules.

The Biotech Research Technique is changing

How research is being done is changing, as also how scientists are conducting it. Affected by both B2C eCommerce and growing independence in remote and cloud-dependent working, most of the biotechnology labs are going through some digital transformations. This implies more software, automation, and AI in the biotech lab, along with some latest digital procurement plans and integrated systems for various lab operations.

Look at some of the top trends in biotech research and recent Biotechnology Topics that are bringing massive changes in this vast world of science, resulting in some innovation in life sciences and biotechnology ideas .

We share different job or exam notices on Labmonk Notice Board . You can search “ Labmonk Notice Board ” on google search to check out latest jobs of your field.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

• View all journals

Animal biotechnology articles from across Nature Portfolio

Animal biotechnology is a branch of biotechnology in which molecular biology techniques are used to genetically engineer (i.e. modify the genome of) animals in order to improve their suitability for pharmaceutical, agricultural or industrial applications. Animal biotechnology has been used to produce genetically modified animals that synthesize therapeutic proteins, have improved growth rates or are resistant to disease.

Related Subjects

• Genetic engineering

Latest Research and Reviews

Production of a heterozygous exon skipping model of common marmosets using gene-editing technology

This study shows that using gene-editing technology in oocytes using Platinum TALEN is an effective method for producing genetically modified marmosets by exon skipping.

• Hiroki Sasaguri
• Erika Sasaki

Enhancing early identification of high-fertile cattle females using infrared blood serum spectra and machine learning

• Willian Reis
• Thiago Franca
• Cicero Cena

Induction of trained immunity in broiler chickens following delivery of oligodeoxynucleotide containing CpG motifs to protect against Escherichia coli septicemia

• Iresha Subhasinghe
• Khawaja Ashfaque Ahmed
• Susantha Gomis

Altering traits and fates of wild populations with Mendelian DNA sequence modifying Allele Sails

Population-scale genome modification can alter the composition or fate of wild populations. Here the authors introduce Allele Sails as a method for spreading genetic changes throughout a population.

• Michelle L. Johnson
• Bruce A. Hay
• Maciej Maselko

Enhanced repellent and anti-nutritional activities of polymeric nanoparticles containing essential oils against red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum

• Fatemeh Khandehroo
• Gholamhossein Moravvej
• Hossein Ahmadzadeh

New vaccination approach using formalin-killed Streptococcus pyogenes vaccine on the liver of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings

• Sameh Nasr-Eldahan
• Mohamed Attia Shreadah
• Asmaa Nabil-Adam

News and Comment

An innovative, sustainable, no-kill sea urchin aquaculture method

We present a sea urchin aquaculture method called raking. Unlike traditional methods in which the entire gonad is the final product, thereby requiring sea urchin killing, eggs are the final product in raking. As killing of sea urchins is not necessary, several production cycles are possible with this method, enabling sustainable echinoculture.

Beef paddies

An article in Matter uses rice grains as scaffolds for cultivated beef cells to produce an innovative beef-infused rice.

• Ariane Vartanian

How biofabrication can accelerate cultured meat’s path to market

The production of conventional meat contributes to climate change and uses up around 70% of available arable land. Cultured meat is emerging as a potential solution, but presently can be only produced at the pilot scale. Biofabrication technologies developed for biomedical applications could be leveraged to introduce automation and standardization in the production of cultured meat, accelerating its path to market.

• Simon Heine
• Tilman Ahlfeld
• Petra J. Kluger

Sir Ian Wilmut 1944–2023

• Alan Trounson
• Jose Cibelli

Rapid-response manufacturing of adenovirus-vectored vaccines

• Carina C. D. Joe
• Nitin Chopra
• Alexander D. Douglas

Evolutionary divergence impact on de-extinction

Lin et al. explore the impact of evolutionary divergence on de-extinction efforts that use genome editing using the extinct Christmas Island rat.

Quick links

• Explore articles by subject
• Guide to authors
• Editorial policies

Hot Research Topics in Biotech in 2022

The past few years years have seen leaps and strides of innovation as scientists have worked to develop and produce new mRNA vaccinations and made major developments in biotech research. During this time, they’ve also faced challenges. Ongoing supply chain disruptions , the Great Resignation, and the pandemic have impacted biotech labs and researchers greatly, forcing lab managers and PIs to get creative with lab supply purchasing, experiment planning, and the use of technology in order to maintain their research schedules.

“The pace of innovation specific to COVID to be able to develop both medicines related to antibodies as well as vaccines is just staggering. Those of us in the industry are in awe of the innovation we’re witnessing on a daily basis. We’ve been behind in the use of automation, software, and AI that can make our industry more efficient — that’s where we’re headed,” says Michelle Dipp, Cofounder and Managing Partner, Biospring Partners on the This is ZAGENO podcast .

At the start of 2022, current biotech research projects are exploring advancements in medicine, vaccines, the human body and treatment of disease, bacteria and immunology, and viruses like the Coronavirus that affected the globe in ways we couldn’t have anticipated.

Biotech Research Processes are Changing

As Michelle explained, the research that’s happening is changing, and so is the way that scientists conduct it. Influenced by both B2C ecommerce and the growing dependence on remote and cloud-based working, biotech labs are undergoing digital transformations . This means more software, AI, and automation in the lab, along with modern digital procurement strategies and integrated systems for lab operations.

Here are some of the top biotech research trends and recent biotech research papers that are changing the world of science and leading to innovation in life sciences.

Top 6 Biotech Research Topics for 2022

Science journals have never been more popular as they’ve been in the past several years. Resonating with the general public, biotech research papers have found their way into the hands and social media streams of interested citizens and scientists alike.

As we look to the most credible, peer-reviewed sources for recent innovations like PubMed , the Journal of Biotechnology , BioTech , and Biotechnology Journal , the trending themes in biotech research are in direct response to COVID-19, like vaccine development, respiratory virus research, and RNA-based pharmaceuticals. Additionally, there have been major advances in metabolism and the human microbiome, as well as further exploration in microvesicles.

All of the research happening has the potential to change millions of people’s quality of life, prevent and treat illnesses that currently have high mortality rates, and change healthcare around the world.

Here's what's happening in biotech research.

1. Vaccine Development mRNA vaccine development has been in the works since 1989 and was accelerated in recent years to combat the global COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers like Maruggi, Zhang, Li, Ulmer, Yu and their team believe that mRNA vaccines could change infectious disease control as we know it as a prophylactic means of disease prevention for diseases like HIV, Zika, and the flu.

Recent developments in mRNA research from Pardi, Hogan, and Weissman in 2020 explored the ways that mRNA vaccines can combat certain cancers and infectious pathogens that were previously resistant to existing vaccine options.

With new access to data from the 3.4 billion+ COVID-19 mRNA vaccines that have been administered worldwide, researchers have been able to determine the risks associated with mRNA vaccines , which brings forward new topics for research in the medical and pharmaceutical sides of the biotech industry. mRNA vaccines are faster to develop and can help prevent more diseases than traditional vaccine methods.

2. Respiratory Viruses Acute respiratory diseases (ARDs) like those caused by the SARS-CoV pathogen or the influenza virus lead to morbidity and mortality, and can lead to pneumonia, which can be fatal for immunocompromised or elderly patients — they represent a huge impact to human society.

Identifying the cause of ARDs and identifying viral infections from COVID-19 has become an issue of public health and safety, leading research groups like Zhang, Wang, and team to seek out more accurate and faster ways to detect respiratory viruses .

Understanding these respiratory virus mechanisms can help lead to better protection, prevention, and treatments for respiratory viruses, which have a mortality rate of up to 78% .

3. RNA-based Therapeutics RNA-based treatments like modified non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and others have been developed and studied by teams like Feng, Patil, et al (2021) to treat various diseases and conditions, including pancreatic cancer, acute renal failure, acute kidney injuries, diabetic macular edema, and advanced solid tumors.

In 2022, we expect to see further development of RNA-based therapeutics, like CAR T cells and other gene/cell therapeutics, therapeutic antibodies, and small molecular drugs to treat even more diseases and for prophylactic purposes as well.

4. Microvesicles + Extracellular Vesicles Microvesicles are coming to light due to their involvement in transporting mRNA, miRNA, and proteins — but how else might they support the human body? There are unknown functions of microvesicles and other extracellular vesicles that have yet to be discovered.

In 2020, Ratajczak and Ratajczak found that understanding microvesicles (or exosomes, microparticles) could mean understanding cell-to-cell communication , and their research showed that extracellular vesicles could transfer mRNA and proteins and modify stem cells ex vivo. This year, we look forward to seeing more research on what these tiny cell parts can do.

5. Metabolism in Cancers + Other Diseases Metabolism is the process of energy conversion in organisms and it represents the chemical reactions that sustain life. Recent research on metabolism in cancers and in immune cells has uncovered new ways to approach treatment and prevention of certain illnesses.

Take a look at Matsushita, Nakagawa, and Koike’s (2021) research on lipid metabolism in oncology and how recent advances in lipidomics technology and mass spectrometry have opened the door for new analysis of lipid profiles of certain cancers.

6. The Human Microbiome The human microbiome hosts bacteria, microorganisms, and other naturally-occurring flora that can help us and harm us. Diet, stress, drugs, and other factors shape the microbiome, leading to inflammation and an immune response of cytokines. Recent machine learning and statistical analyses of microbiome data , like that of Indias, Lahti, Nedyalkova, and team (2021) are getting smarter and smarter by removing variables and providing ways to test new hypotheses using statistical modeling.

With a deeper understanding of the microbiome, researchers like David Sinclair have shown that lifestyle changes can actually help people live healthier lives for longer . Sinclair’s lab is at the forefront of aging research and its impact on healthcare — and it’s all rooted in biotechnology and life science experiments.

Recent updates to ICD-11 and its classification of aging as a disease have led to debate, with Sinclair and colleagues advocating for the ongoing paradigm shift that biological age and chronological age are not synonymous. The implications for longevity and aging research from a funding perspective will be impacted by WHO and NIH decisions, and we anticipate seeing more biotech research on topics like epigenetics, metabolism, mitochondrial dysfunction, reproduction, and stem cell developments in the coming years.

Biotech research can change humankind, and lead to a better quality of life for generations to come. Subscribe to the ZAGENO blog to keep up with the latest topics in biotech and life sciences research and find the tech that supports biotech lab managers and PIs in their ongoing work.

All your lab needs in one place

Access 40,000,000 products in one shop!

Trusted by thousands of scientists, lab managers, procurement and finance teams, ZAGENO's marketplace will help you search and order quickly in one go. Reach out for a demo today!

5 Methods for Conducting Agile Biotech Research

Top Books for Biotech Founders

Biotech Accelerator, Incubator, and Lab Share: What’s the Difference?