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Isolation and Screening of Industrially Important Organisms

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Recent Advances in Biotechnology

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((NSSE,volume 210))

Abstract

The unique opportunities provided by recombinant DNA technology are incontestable but for many biotechnological products and processes this option either is unnecessary, inappropriate or unacceptable. The case here is made for the exploitation of natural biodiversity for biotechnology innovation: the planet’s greatest but least utilised resource. The main focus is placed on microbial diversity but reference also is made to other life forms in the context of searching for and discovering novel biochemistry that can be harnessed for biotechnologies. Search strategies can be based upon: (1) screening for desired properties among assemblages of known organisms, or (2) the isolation or detection of novel organisms in the expectation that they will present novel behaviour. Attention also needs to be given to genetic diversity, and to possibilities of accessing non-culturable microorganisms. Brief reference is made to the desirability of considering taxonomy as an aid to search and discovery operations. The attention of modern search and discovery programmes is on the development of targetted or so-called ‘intelligent’ screens that can deliver high probabilities of success. The efficacy of this approach is illustrated by reference to recent work on a range of biotechnology products. However, neither the value of experience nor the power of serendipity can be ignored in achieving this success. Finally, the discussion returns to the theme of biodiversity, and recommendations for its conservation, as the prime resource for Biotechnology 2000.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biological Laboratory, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NJ, UK

    Alan T. Bull

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  1. Alan T. Bull
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey

    Fazilet Vardar-Sukan

  2. Biotechnology Centre and Department of Food Engineering, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey

    Ş. Suha Sukan

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© 1992 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

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Bull, A.T. (1992). Isolation and Screening of Industrially Important Organisms. In: Vardar-Sukan, F., Sukan, Ş.S. (eds) Recent Advances in Biotechnology. NATO ASI Series, vol 210. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-2468-3_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-2468-3_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-5089-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-2468-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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