Biotechnology - Applications

According to the "Biotechnology in Queensland 2000 Report", Biotechnology products exist or are being developed in a number of key areas -

• Manufacturing, and Materials design: living plant cells used to produce biodegradable plastics, chemicals and corn-based ethanol for fuels; production of chemicals and alternative fuels; improved production of high value products.
  
  
• Pharmaceuticals and medical devices: Lower cost production of pharmaceuticals; new pharmaceuticals for acute and chronic diseases; highly accurate diagnostics etc.
  
  
• Platform technologies: the development of information and technologies used as the basis of numerous products across a range of industries.
  
  
• Food Manufacture: foods with longer shelf-life, better quality and greater nutritional value; food with health care applications; more efficient food manufacturing processes; and high quality, safe products from both plant and animal sources.
  
  
• Environment Management and remediation: micro-organisms, both naturally occurring or genetically altered, used for a variety of applications including bioremediation of heavy metals, oils and chemicals; contaminant testing; pollution control; conversion of waste to energy; and remediation through reforestation.