Timeline of Major Innovations in the History of Biotechnology

  • Cells and the Microscope

    Cells and the Microscope
  • Period: to

    Before DNA

  • Inheritance of traits

    Inheritance of traits
  • Fermentation, Wine making, Brewing, Microbiology

    Fermentation, Wine making, Brewing, Microbiology
  • DNA might be inheritable material of an organism

    DNA might be inheritable material of an organism
  • Period: to

    DNA Science

  • Discovered Genes were on chromosomes

    Discovered Genes were on chromosomes
  • Genetic material can be moved from 1 strain of bacteria to another

    Genetic material can be moved from 1 strain of bacteria to another
  • Penicillin was invented

    Penicillin was invented
  • Adenine has the same number of units as thymine and cytosine equaled those of quanine

    Adenine has the same number of units as thymine and cytosine equaled those of quanine
  • One gene produces one enzyme hypothesis

    One gene produces one enzyme hypothesis
  • Proved that Viruses replicated using DNA

    Proved that Viruses replicated using DNA
  • DNA is a double helix

    DNA is a double helix
  • DNA structure is discovered

    DNA structure is discovered
  • Plasmid DNA is discovered

    Plasmid DNA is discovered
  • Discovered the mechanism of gene expression through the study of messenger RNA

    Discovered the mechanism of gene expression through the study of messenger RNA
  • Bacterial restriction enzymes that cut DNA are discovered

    Bacterial restriction enzymes that cut DNA are discovered
  • The 64 Condons are discovered

    The 64 Condons are discovered
  • DNA plasmids were isolated and purified

    DNA plasmids were isolated and purified
  • First transformation of the bacteruim Escherichia coli

    First transformation of the bacteruim Escherichia coli
  • Period: to

    Recombinant DNA Technology and Beyond

  • Cloning experiments were conducted by Boyer and Cohen

    Cloning experiments were conducted by Boyer and Cohen
  • Genentech was founded

    Genentech was founded
    the worlds first genetic engineering company
  • 140 scientists met to draw up guidelines for work with rDNA in microogranisms

    140 scientists met to draw up guidelines for work with rDNA in microogranisms
  • A way to sequence DNA is found

    A way to sequence DNA is found
  • Boyer inserted a synthetic insulin gene into E. coli

    Boyer inserted a synthetic insulin gene into E. coli
  • Botstein found that 1 could be identified by the pattern made of one's DNA through a digest by different enzymes

    Botstein found that 1 could be identified by the pattern made of one's DNA through a digest by different enzymes
    This DNA fingerprint was called a Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism
  • The first human baby resulting from in vitro fertilization was born

    The first human baby resulting from in vitro fertilization was born
  • Supreme Court ruled that genetically altered life froms can be patented

    Supreme Court ruled that genetically altered life froms can be patented
  • Ohio University made the first transgenic animals

    Ohio University made the first transgenic animals
  • Eli Lilly Company placed a human insulin gene inside bacteria

    Eli Lilly Company placed a human insulin gene inside bacteria
  • Plants were transformed with Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer

    Plants were transformed with Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer
  • Polymerase chain reaction is invented to amplify DNA in the lab

    Polymerase chain reaction is invented to amplify DNA in the lab
  • Jeffries applied RFLP in DNA to the study of criminal cases

    Jeffries applied RFLP in DNA to the study of criminal cases
  • An automated fluorescence sequencer was invented

    An automated fluorescence sequencer was invented
  • Genes were moved into an organism through the use of a gene gun

    Genes were moved into an organism through the use of a gene gun
  • NIH revised safety guidelines for rDNA to include plants grown in greenhouses and animals raised in barns

    NIH revised safety guidelines for rDNA to include plants grown in greenhouses and animals raised in barns
  • RNA interference and silencing of genes discovered in the worm C.elegans

    RNA interference and silencing of genes discovered in the worm C.elegans
  • Monoclonal antibody technology is used

    Monoclonal antibody technology is used
  • Yeast artificial chromosomes are invented

    Yeast artificial chromosomes are invented
  • Dolly the sheep is cloned from an adult cell of a ewe

    Dolly the sheep is cloned from an adult cell of a ewe
  • DNA microarray technology was invented

    DNA microarray technology was invented
  • Automated DNA sequenceer that had a capability of sequencing 76800 base pairs per hour

    Automated DNA sequenceer that had a capability of sequencing 76800 base pairs per hour
    greatly increased the time of the Human Genome Project
  • the term rivoswitch is coined for part of an mRNA molecoule that can regulate its own activity and therefore gene expression

    the term rivoswitch is coined for part of an mRNA molecoule that can regulate its own activity and therefore gene expression
  • The completion of the Human Genome Project

    The completion of the Human Genome Project