What is the difference between industrial microbiology and biotechnology?
Question
I was reading a research article the other day, and it explained really well how industrial microbiology and biotechnology are related but not exactly the same. This answer makes the distinction clear by showing how industrial microbiology is more about using microorganisms in production, while biotechnology includes a broader range of biological tools and systems. It helped me connect how older fermentation methods relate to modern genetic engineering.
Answer ( 1 )
Industrial Microbiology
Definition
The application of microorganisms for the production of useful products or processes on an industrial scale.
Historical Development
Has deeper historical roots, dating back to ancient fermentation processes (beer, wine, bread) but developing as a formal discipline in the early 20th century with the industrial production of antibiotics, organic acids, and other microbial products.
Scope
Traditionally more focused on the use of microorganisms themselves as production systems.
Typical Microorganisms
Improvement Methods
Scale
Primarily focused on large-scale production processes.
Key Applications
Disciplinary Approach
More closely aligned with applied microbiology and chemical engineering.
Biotechnology
Definition
The use of biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof to make or modify products or processes for specific use. Modern biotechnology often involves the manipulation of genetic material and cellular processes.
Historical Development
While traditional biotechnology (like fermentation) has ancient roots, modern biotechnology emerged in the 1970s with the development of recombinant DNA technology, allowing direct manipulation of genetic material.
Scope
Broader field that encompasses industrial microbiology but extends to manipulation of biological systems at the molecular and cellular level, including plants, animals, and microorganisms.
Technological Approaches
Improvement Methods
Scale
Ranges from laboratory-scale research to industrial production.
Key Applications
Disciplinary Approach
Highly interdisciplinary, combining elements of molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, engineering, and computer science.
Key Differences Summarized
Relationship Between the Fields
Industrial microbiology can be considered a subset of biotechnology, particularly when viewed in the context of modern biotechnology. The relationship can be visualized as follows:
In this framework, industrial microbiology represents an important component of the broader biotechnology field, with many industrial microbiology processes now enhanced by modern biotechnology approaches.
Practical Example of the Difference
Consider the production of insulin:
Convergence in Modern Practice
Industry Terminology
In business contexts, “biotechnology” often refers specifically to the industry sector focused on developing novel therapeutics and medical applications, while companies producing enzymes, biofuels, or food ingredients might identify more with “industrial biotechnology” or “industrial microbiology”.
Industrial microbiology is a more specialized field focused on using microorganisms for industrial production, while biotechnology is a broader discipline that encompasses industrial microbiology but extends to the manipulation of all biological systems using molecular techniques. Industrial microbiology has deeper historical roots, while modern biotechnology emerged more recently with the advent of genetic engineering. Today, these fields are increasingly integrated, with industrial microbiology processes often enhanced by biotechnology approaches.
Source
Demain, A.L. & Davies, J.E. (1999). Manual of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology
Glick, B.R. & Patten, C.L. (2017). Molecular Biotechnology: Principles and Applications of Recombinant DNA