This blog post explores how insulin production technology using E. coli was developed and what contributions it makes to human health.
Biology is the science that analyzes all living organisms and biological phenomena in nature and scientifically identifies their causes. It is a broad discipline aiming to understand the structure, function, and ecological interactions of all life forms, including animals, plants, and microorganisms, thereby exploring the fundamental principles of life. However, biology’s primary focus lies in analyzing how these research findings can be applied to humans. Examples include researching components in specific plants with anti-cancer effects or developing treatments for human diseases by utilizing the genetic characteristics of certain animals. Improving human health and quality of life through such applications is one of biology’s ultimate goals.
Biotechnology is the discipline that has developed based on these objectives and is linked to biology. Biotechnology is a discipline that builds upon the foundational knowledge of molecular biology and genetics to artificially manipulate the characteristics of living organisms to produce practical outcomes. Although still in its developmental stage, biotechnology is gaining attention for its potential to unlock humanity’s age-old dreams, including eternal youth, through diverse research and technological advancements. For instance, techniques like inhibiting the aging process within cells or preventing diseases through gene therapy by correcting specific genes demonstrate this potential.
Biotechnology is actually already quite close to us, easily found in our daily lives. The principles of biotechnology are applied even in traditional fermented foods like alcohol production using yeast or kimchi fermentation. Today, its scope has expanded further to include health supplements using lactic acid bacteria and the utilization of microorganisms for environmental purification. This demonstrates that biotechnology is not confined solely to laboratories but directly influences various aspects of our lives.
This time, we introduce the method of producing insulin using E. coli, often called the originator that advanced ‘biotechnology’ both academically and industrially. Discovered in the early stages of biotechnology research, this technology stands as a key example demonstrating the practicality of biotechnology. It has made a significant contribution to human health, particularly by enabling the mass production of insulin, which is essential for diabetes patients. During holidays when families gather, one might see a diabetic patient administering an insulin injection. This act carries meaning beyond simple health management. Without insulin injections, blood sugar levels can rise sharply, making insulin a vital element for sustaining life in diabetic patients. So why exactly do diabetic patients need insulin injections, and why is biotechnology-based insulin production so important?
The human body functions through the intricate interplay of hormones. Hormones are physiological regulatory substances that promote or inhibit specific actions. When nutrients are deficient, they secrete stimulating hormones; when nutrients are excessive, they secrete inhibitory hormones to maintain the body’s homeostasis. Among these, insulin plays a crucial role in lowering blood sugar levels. Conversely, when blood sugar levels drop too low, the hormone glucagon is secreted to raise blood sugar levels and restore balance. However, if problems arise in insulin secretion function and blood sugar levels cannot be lowered, diabetes occurs. Diabetes is a disease for which there is still no cure; currently, the only method available is to inject insulin to control blood sugar.
Like most hormones, insulin is a highly complex organic compound. Synthesizing it simply in a chemistry lab is impractical due to its complexity and high cost.
In the past, insulin was extracted from pig pancreases for use. However, the amount of insulin obtainable from a single pig was very limited, making production costs high. Additionally, immune response issues arose when using insulin extracted from animals. The solution to these problems was the development of insulin production technology using E. coli.
E. coli is the most extensively studied microorganism in biology. It is harmless to humans and is highly useful because it can be rapidly and easily mass-cultured. E. coli reproduces through binary fission, a process where the DNA and nutrients within the cell are doubled, and then the cell divides into two identical daughter cells. Because the DNA is perfectly identical, we can reliably produce large quantities of the desired substance.
The method for producing insulin is as follows. First, the insulin gene is inserted into E. coli, enabling the bacteria to produce insulin themselves. E. coli possesses a circular genetic material called a plasmid, shaped like a doughnut. This plasmid is extracted using a special method, unnecessary parts are cut out, and then the insulin gene is combined with it. By reinserting this modified plasmid into E. coli, the bacteria acquire the structure necessary to produce insulin.
Insulin production using E. coli offers numerous advantages. First, it is far simpler and yields greater quantities than extraction from pig pancreas, making it economically advantageous. Second, it avoids the ethical issues that can arise when extracting insulin from pigs. Third, production using E. coli enables mass production, contributing to reducing the financial burden of insulin injections for diabetes patients. In this regard, insulin production using E. coli can be considered a prime example of how biotechnology makes a tangible contribution to human life.
Biotechnology is still in its infancy, but it holds immense potential compared to mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, and civil engineering, generating significant expectations. Notably, the scale of factories required for biotechnology is relatively small compared to other industries, offering the potential to generate high profits without substantial investment. Beyond this economic potential, biotechnology is expected to enhance the quality of human life and open new possibilities across diverse fields such as medicine, the environment, and agriculture. We look forward to biotechnology achieving significant advancements in the future, contributing not only to humanity’s long-held dream of eternal youth and longevity but also to the treatment of various diseases that are currently difficult to resolve.
