Klaus Buchholz – författare

This book presents a rigorous historical and scientific perspective on the evolution of biotechnology, tracing its trajectory from early experimental origins to the rise of modern and industrial biotechnology. Beginning with the foundational contributions of pioneering scientists, it illustrates how transformative discoveries reshaped microbiology and biochemistry into applied and industrially relevant technological disciplines.The authors analyse the key forces that have driven biotechnology’s development, including scientific curiosity, exploratory ambition, technological innovation, and urgent medical and societal needs. Landmark case studies such as the development of penicillin and, more recently, RNA-based vaccines against COVID‑19 demonstrate how large-scale research initiatives have addressed critical global challenges while accelerating biotechnological progress. Beyond its scientific foundations, the book critically examines the concepts, applications, and limitations of biotechnology, addressing the tensions between academic research and commercial enterprise. It also explores the broader economic, social, and ethical implications of biotechnological innovation, highlighting conflicts, regulatory challenges, and societal responsibilities that accompany technological advancement.Designed for researchers, graduate students, historians of science, and professionals in biotechnology and life sciences, this volume provides an authoritative and coherent framework for understanding the principles, discoveries, and innovations that continue to shape the field. It serves both as a scholarly reference and as a conceptual guide to the past, present, and future of biotechnology.This book is a translated and updated edition of the original German edition “Eine kleine Geschichte der Biotechnologie” by the same authors, published by Springer-Verlag Germany in 2022. The translation was done with the help of artificial intelligence, and a subsequent human revision was done primarily in terms of content.

This second edition of a bestselling textbook offers an instructive and comprehensive overview of our current knowledge of biocatalysis and enzyme technology. The book now contains about 40% more printed content. Three chapters are completely new, while the others have been thoroughly updated, and a section with problems and solutions as well as new case studies have been added. Following an introduction to the history of enzyme applications, the text goes on to cover in depth enzyme mechanisms and kinetics, production, recovery, characterization and design by protein engineering. The authors treat a broad range of applications of soluble and immobilized biocatalysts, including wholecell systems, the use of non-aqueous reaction systems, applications in organic synthesis, bioreactor design and reaction engineering. Methods to estimate the sustainability, important internet resources and their evaluation, and legislation concerning the use of biocatalysts are also covered.

This second edition of a bestselling textbook offers an instructive and comprehensive overview of our current knowledge of biocatalysis and enzyme technology. The book now contains about 40% more printed content. Three chapters are completely new, while the others have been thoroughly updated, and a section with problems and solutions as well as new case studies have been added. Following an introduction to the history of enzyme applications, the text goes on to cover in depth enzyme mechanisms and kinetics, production, recovery, characterization and design by protein engineering. The authors treat a broad range of applications of soluble and immobilized biocatalysts, including wholecell systems, the use of non-aqueous reaction systems, applications in organic synthesis, bioreactor design and reaction engineering. Methods to estimate the sustainability, important internet resources and their evaluation, and legislation concerning the use of biocatalysts are also covered.

Adopting a unique approach, this novel textbook integrates science and business for an inside view on the biotech industry. Peering behind the scenes, it provides a thorough analysis of the foundations of the present day industry for students and professionals alike: its history, its tools and processes, its markets and products. The authors, themselves close witnesses of the emergence of modern biotechnology from its very beginnings in the 1980s, clearly separate facts from fiction, looking behind the exaggerated claims made by start-up companies trying to attract investors. Essential reading for every student and junior researcher looking for a career in the biotech sector.

Adopting a unique approach, this novel textbook integrates science and business for an inside view on the biotech industry. Peering behind the scenes, it provides a thorough analysis of the foundations of the present day industry for students and professionals alike: its history, its tools and processes, its markets and products. The authors, themselves close witnesses of the emergence of modern biotechnology from its very beginnings in the 1980s, clearly separate facts from fiction, looking behind the exaggerated claims made by start-up companies trying to attract investors. Essential reading for every student and junior researcher looking for a career in the biotech sector.

Dieses Buch beschreibt die faszinierende Geschichte der Biotechnologie von der Fermentation von Bier und Wein, Brot und Käse, über die Produktion von Penicillin und anderen Medikamenten im 19. und 20. Jahrhundert, bis zu den heutigen RNA-Impfstoffen. Es handelt von den vielfältigen Faktoren, die diese moderne Schlüsseltechnologie vorantrieben, von Forschertrieb, Neugier, Pioniergeist, von dringendem gesellschaftlichen und medizinischen Bedarf sowie von Großprojekten zur Lösung gravierender Probleme, z. B. bei Penicillin oder aktuell bei RNA-Impfstoffen gegen Covid-19. Es schildert die wissenschaftlichen Grundlagen, Konzepte und Anwendungen. Es berichtet auch über kritische Aspekte und Konflikte sowie den Zusammenhang von Forschung und Wissenschaft mit wirtschaftlichen Aktivitäten und gesellschaftlichen, sozialen und ethischen Aspekten.Die Autoren geben Einblicke in die Werkstätten früherer Wissenschaftler, ins Labor von Pionieren, von Pasteur bis zu Fleming, und in die Anfänge der Gentechnik. Episoden berichten von Problemen, Schwierigkeiten und dem Erfolg und Gelingen. Die Autoren waren in den letzten 40 Jahren in diese Entwicklung eingebunden und stellen sie als Zeitzeugen authentisch dar.Das Buch richtet sich an einen breiten Kreis interessierter Leser, an Studenten, Schüler, Lehrer und Hochschullehrer, (Fach-) Wissenschaftler und allgemein an alle an Wissenschaft und Technik interessierten Leser.