Biotechnology is a broad field of science, which uses living things like plants, animals and micro-organisms, and their biological processes, to make useful products or to perform functions for us. Biotechnology is used widely in many fields such as medicine, agriculture, industry and mining.

Fact sheets

• Animal biotechnology
• Antarctic biotechnology research
• Biofuels - the basics
• Biofuels - benefits and risks
• Biofuels industry status
• Bioprospecting
• Biotechnology and environmental sustainability
• Biotechnology and medical research
• Biotechnology basics
• Biotechnology structures in SA
• Biotechnology's Role in addressing the DST's Five Grand Challenges
• Cloning and stem cells
• DNA profiling
• Genetically modified organisms
• Genetics of skin colour
• GMOs and wine

Experts

• Experts for media interviews

Photographs

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	Biotechnologist Ntsane Moleleki is looking into the use of yeast to produce human therapeutic proteins. (Photo: Courtesy CSIR)
	Professor Himla Soodyall, University of the Witwatersran, (left) discussing DNA extraction with Ms Khanya Vokwane.
	Professor Brenda Wingfield with Joyce Jakavula, University of Pretoria, looking a a fungal culture of a tree pathogen - an organism that causes diseases in trees. By isolating DNA from a pathogen and using molecular techniques to identify the pathogen, scientists help the forestry industry to diagnose and combat tree diseases.
	Dr Carolyn Hancock, DNA Project and DNA Awareness Training.