Final answer:
Biotechnology is used in pharmacology to produce drugs. This process involves identifying and isolating the gene responsible for the desired pharmaceutical substance, cloning the gene, transforming it into host cells, growing and expressing the gene in the cells, and purifying and formulating the pharmaceutical substance into a drug.
Step-by-step explanation:
Biotechnology in Pharmacology
Biotechnology plays a significant role in the field of pharmacology by enabling the production of drugs through various methods. One common method is the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to produce pharmaceutical substances. Here is the step-by-step process:
- Identification and isolation: Scientists identify and isolate the gene responsible for producing the desired pharmaceutical substance.
- Gene cloning: The isolated gene is inserted into a vector, such as a plasmid, to create a recombinant DNA molecule.
- Transformation: The recombinant DNA is then introduced into host organisms, such as bacteria or yeast cells.
- Growth and expression: The transformed host cells are grown in a culture medium, which allows them to multiply and produce the desired pharmaceutical substance.
- Purification and formulation: The pharmaceutical substance is purified from the culture medium and formulated into a drug that can be administered to patients.
Overall, biotechnology has revolutionized the production of drugs, making it more efficient and precise.