AI in Biotechnology: Nature in the Palm of our Hands

When you think of nature, most likely, what comes to mind are tropical forests, sandy beaches, and steep rocky mountains, blessed with all kinds of species that interact in their habitats. On the other hand, when you think of biotechnology, you most likely think of test tubes, laboratories, and crazy nature-defying experiments. The truth is that biotechnology isn’t necessarily that. If you want to find out what wonderful results biotechnology can bring to the environment, this article is for you!

AI in Biotechnology: Nature in the Palm of our Hands
Written by TechnoLynx Published on 28 Oct 2024

Introduction

The ocean covers about 70% of the surface of our majestic planet. It might be hard to imagine, but only 5% of our oceans have been discovered. It is no secret that most of the underwater species are yet to be discovered, which is sure to bring us in front of some surprises (hopefully pleasant). In any case, whatever new species are discovered will be fascinating; however, who said that the species we already know aren’t fascinating enough? What if we told you that there are species that have physical properties that could save the oceans from human pollution? You don’t believe us? Keep reading to see how the tiniest creatures of the sea can have mind-blowing properties, how we can inspire from them and repurpose them for our needs in an ethical way, how we can protect and rebuild our forests, shape agriculture, and even synthesise polymers.

Endless Blue

You have heard of ‘algae’. You know that green, often slimy crust that you sometimes see at sea level. You might not be a huge fan of it, as it disturbs the water clarity, but would you change your mind if we told you that we can have this organism work for us? In our cosmetics article, we have stressed how animal cruelty can be avoided when developing and testing new products. Don’t worry; we didn’t have a change of heart. Algae are not considered to be an animal or a plant. In fact, it belongs to a family of organisms called protists, with approximately 27.000 different species or types of algae (algae - Kids, Britannica Kids, Homework Help)! But what is so interesting about it? Well, apart from being part of the food chain of blennies and tangs, some snails, crabs, and sea urchins, as well as a great food source for us humans due to the fact that it is rich in Omega-3 fats, algae does something else, something unexpected…

Figure 1 – Still image of the freshwater microalgae blooming under a microscope (Freshwater Microalgae Blooming Under Microscope Species Stock Photo 2401137651).
Figure 1 – Still image of the freshwater microalgae blooming under a microscope (Freshwater Microalgae Blooming Under Microscope Species Stock Photo 2401137651).

Tastes Good!

In 2001, a group of Japanese scientists made a discovery in a dumpster. They noticed that a bacteria was snacking on some plastics (Yoshida et al., 2016). While breaking down the trash, the bacteria used the carbon in the plastic itself for energy, which they used to move around, grow, and reproduce into more plastic-eating bacteria, the name of which is ‘Ideonella sakaiensis’ Fast forward to 2024, more than 2,5 billion tonnes of plastic have been produced, with approximately 450 million tonnes each year (OECD, 2022). In 2022, the EU funded several groups to develop a solution to transform plastic into fully biodegradable materials using bacteria and enzymes. A group of Germans actually managed to engineer the ‘Ideonella sakaiensis PETase’, the enzyme that breaks down carbon into marine algae, potentially ending the problem of ocean pollution due to microplastics (Buranyi, 2023)! You see where we are getting at?

Figure 2 - Still image of Ideonella sakaiensis in false colour Scanning Electron Microscopy (Prostak, 2016).
Figure 2 - Still image of Ideonella sakaiensis in false colour Scanning Electron Microscopy (Prostak, 2016).

You can probably guess how many hours of work and brain juice such a task would require. We aren’t sure if these engineers used AI, but let’s see how they could use it to speed things up. We have already talked about how Computer Vision (CV), a GPU-accelerated form of AI, can change the way we design pharmaceutical products in this article, however, not many things need to be reconfigured when working with living organisms. Through Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), we can take a look at the microworld in three dimensions without the need for a microscope, which can be both eye- and neck-straining. The application of modifications to existing organisms is already known by biologists, so why not just give them an extra hand and make their lives easier with the fascinating applications of Extended Reality (XR)?

Apart from that, imagine how many more uses we could find for these amazing creatures! Plastics are one thing, but what is equally, if not even more, scary? Oil leakage! Maritime companies have developed different solutions to prevent the hulls from piercing, but accidents can still occur. Now, it is just an idea, but wouldn’t it be lifesaving (literally) if we could design types of algae that feed on anything bad for the planet? Imagine a good number of modified algae being released close to an oil leak, eliminating it within a few days. Or, how many reefs are being damaged annually due to sunscreen residues? Now, too many. Within a few years, potentially none!

So Green!

Of course, not only the seas are what should interest us concerning nature. Shade under a tree can be the best thing ever on a hot summer day, yet air pollution and human activity have been destroying our forests for decades. Scientists have warned of irreparable consequences, but not everyone is concerned. Thankfully, some are, and the result is really a wonder!

The largest hot desert on Earth is the Sahara, with a jaw-dropping area of 9.2 trillion square metres. Does this area, however, remain the same, or does it grow? Unfortunately, it has been steadily increasing, threatening the sub-Saharan countries more and more. The front-man of the fight against this natural disaster is no other than the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, and it is more than just an initiative; it is a symbol of hope. 22 African countries participate in the ‘Great Green Wall’, planning to stop the expansion of the desert to the south by strategically planting trees and horizontally terraforming the soil in Africa, from Senegal to Djibouti. This project not only contributes to climate stability but also ensures fertile soil that will feed thousands of people annually (Great Green Wall Initiative).

Figure 3 – Map of the Great Green Wall project (Great Green Wall, Action Against Desertification, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)
Figure 3 – Map of the Great Green Wall project (Great Green Wall, Action Against Desertification, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)

More than 8 billion dollars have been raised for this 8.000 km long project, and chances are that humans will not be able to fulfil it by themselves. Can AI help them? Yes, it can! Such an area would require continuous monitoring due to the harsh environment that surrounds the land that is being reformed. However, how many people could realistically be involved in this project? The solution lies in CV and Edge Computing Internet of Things (IoT). Real-time CV could be integrated into localised cameras strategically placed on the land to monitor the external characteristics of the biotechnologically reinforced plants being grown. In addition to that, smart soil monitoring probes could send information on humidity, pH, texture, saturation, and percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to computer stations in the area. A properly trained AI taking advantage of Edge Computing could forecast the microclimate and inform experts monitoring everything, potentially even making adjustments to the dosage of nutrients that need to be delivered in the soil automatically.

Read more: What is IoT Edge Computing and Its Benefits?

Let it Grow

Now, this is potentially not big news, but it is definitely worth mentioning. One of the many applications of AI is to provide farmers with the tools they need to make production cheaper and more manageable without sacrificing quality over quantity. This can be done on a small scale using Edge Computing, drones, cameras, and probes, but it can also be done in a lab.

That’s right! A lab! And before you judge, we are not talking about genetically altering a species of fruit or vegetable. Crossbreeding has been done for a long time, with the first properly recorded application being in the mid-17th century by ‘the father of genetics’, the biologist, meteorologist, mathematician, Augustinian friar Gregor Mendel, with his world-famous experiment on peas. Mendel’s practices have literally transformed the way crops have changed, as new breeds of the best characteristics have been developed with the exact same method.

Figure 4 – Examples of domestication of fruits and vegetables (Pamplona, 2018).
Figure 4 – Examples of domestication of fruits and vegetables (Pamplona, 2018).

Of course, these characteristics can vary according to the climate and species, not to mention that cross-breeding plants can take a lot of time, potentially years until you find the combination that gives the best results. Thankfully, we can speed things up by eliminating the trial-and-error cross-breeding practices of the past to the bare minimum.

Using algorithms that can run virtual trials, we can eliminate attempts that would not be fruitful before even making them. And with generative AI, we can get a virtual glimpse of the crops we want to make. In addition, CV can monitor these plants in real time and make adjustments in the algorithm itself, just like a self-autocorrect that learns from its own mistakes.

Bio-what?

Biopolymers! First time you’ve heard of them? Let us enrich your knowledge, then. Biopolymers are natural polymers produced by cells in all living organisms. They are divided into three main classes, according to the monomers used for their formation and structure: polypeptides, polysaccharides, and polynucleotides; they are essential for tasks like wound healing, while they also act as catalysis of bioactivity and nontoxicity. Biopolymers are also characterised by their biodegrading characteristics, as well as their excellent biocompatibility. One could say that they are a multitool on their own, so are there really limits to what they can do?

Figure 5 – Image of a liposome carrying a lipophilic cargo used in drug delivery (M.Sc, 2010).
Figure 5 – Image of a liposome carrying a lipophilic cargo used in drug delivery (M.Sc, 2010).

The answer is ‘only in our imagination’. Taking advantage of the physical properties of biopolymers, we can modify them using AI to serve different tasks. Synthetic biopolymers are not a new concept, but the extent to which R&D has been applied is in a whole different league. However, tweaking biopolymers is no joke, and it requires great expertise. Using CV, deep learning, and generative AI, we could rearrange the structure of existing polymers on a peptide, saccharide, or nucleotide level, even designing our own hybrid ones per field of application. Examples range from drug delivery and tissue engineering and regeneration to biosensing and immunotherapy!

Summing Up

Biotechnology is a fascinating area with many applications, not only in a lab environment but in everyday applications as well, no matter how big or small they are. There is no doubt that implementing AI in biotechnology will give us a great advantage with applications that will make the world a better place. We can reduce or potentially even eliminate water pollution, save forests, and reform healthcare.

What We Offer

At TechnoLynx, we are characterised by our innovative nature. We specialise in delivering tech solutions custom-tailored to your needs. We do not need to be convinced that AI can be beneficial because we already understand this better than anyone. We are committed to providing cutting-edge AI solutions in the field of biotechnology while ensuring safety in human-machine interactions. Our team is great at managing and analysing large data sets while addressing ethical considerations.

Our software solutions are precise, empowering many fields and industries using AI-driven algorithms. We like to innovate, and we are driven to adapt to the ever-changing AI landscape. The solutions we present are designed to increase accuracy, efficiency, and productivity. Don’t hesitate to contact us to share your ideas or questions. We will be more than happy to make your project fly!

Continue reading: AI in Biotechnology: A Game Changer for Innovation

List of references

  • algae - Kids, Britannica Kids. Homework Help (no date). (Accessed: 9 April 2024).

  • Buranyi, S. (2023) ‘“We are just getting started”: the plastic-eating bacteria that could change the world’, The Guardian, 28 September. (Accessed: 9 April 2024).

  • Freshwater Microalgae Blooming Under Microscope Species Stock Photo 2401137651 (no date) Shutterstock (Accessed: 9 April 2024).

  • Great Green Wall. Action Against Desertification. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (no date). (Accessed: 9 April 2024).

  • Great Green Wall Initiative (no date) UNCCD. (Accessed: 9 April 2024).

  • M.Sc, B.C. (2010) What is a Liposome?, News-Medical. (Accessed: 9 April 2024).

  • OECD (2022) Global Plastics Outlook: Economic Drivers, Environmental Impacts and Policy Options. OECD.

  • Pamplona, F. (2018) ‘Infographics: Domesticated fruits and vegetables’, Mind the Graph Blog, 9 August. (Accessed: 9 April 2024).

  • Prostak, S. (2016) Ideonella sakaiensis: Newly-Discovered Bacterium Can Break Down, Metabolize Plastic. Biology. Sci-News.com, Sci.News: Breaking Science News. (Accessed: 9 April 2024).

  • Yoshida, S. et al. (2016) ‘A bacterium that degrades and assimilates poly(ethylene terephthalate)’, Science, 351(6278), pp. 1196–1199.

Making Lab Methods Work: Q2(R2) and Q14 Explained

Making Lab Methods Work: Q2(R2) and Q14 Explained

26/09/2025

How to build, validate, and maintain analytical methods under ICH Q2(R2)/Q14—clear actions, smart documentation, and room for innovation.

Barcodes in Pharma: From DSCSA to FMD in Practice

Barcodes in Pharma: From DSCSA to FMD in Practice

25/09/2025

What the 2‑D barcode and seal on your medicine mean, how pharmacists scan packs, and why these checks stop fake medicines reaching you.

Pharma’s EU AI Act Playbook: GxP‑Ready Steps

Pharma’s EU AI Act Playbook: GxP‑Ready Steps

24/09/2025

A clear, GxP‑ready guide to the EU AI Act for pharma and medical devices: risk tiers, GPAI, codes of practice, governance, and audit‑ready execution.

Cell Painting: Fixing Batch Effects for Reliable HCS

Cell Painting: Fixing Batch Effects for Reliable HCS

23/09/2025

Reduce batch effects in Cell Painting. Standardise assays, adopt OME‑Zarr, and apply robust harmonisation to make high‑content screening reproducible.

Explainable Digital Pathology: QC that Scales

Explainable Digital Pathology: QC that Scales

22/09/2025

Raise slide quality and trust in AI for digital pathology with robust WSI validation, automated QC, and explainable outputs that fit clinical workflows.

Validation‑Ready AI for GxP Operations in Pharma

Validation‑Ready AI for GxP Operations in Pharma

19/09/2025

Make AI systems validation‑ready across GxP. GMP, GCP and GLP. Build secure, audit‑ready workflows for data integrity, manufacturing and clinical trials.

Image Analysis in Biotechnology: Uses and Benefits

Image Analysis in Biotechnology: Uses and Benefits

17/09/2025

Learn how image analysis supports biotechnology, from gene therapy to agricultural production, improving biotechnology products through cost effective and accurate imaging.

Edge Imaging for Reliable Cell and Gene Therapy

Edge Imaging for Reliable Cell and Gene Therapy

17/09/2025

Edge imaging transforms cell & gene therapy manufacturing with real‑time monitoring, risk‑based control and Annex 1 compliance for safer, faster production.

Biotechnology Solutions for Climate Change Challenges

Biotechnology Solutions for Climate Change Challenges

16/09/2025

See how biotechnology helps fight climate change with innovations in energy, farming, and industry while cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

Vision Analytics Driving Safer Cell and Gene Therapy

Vision Analytics Driving Safer Cell and Gene Therapy

15/09/2025

Learn how vision analytics supports cell and gene therapy through safer trials, better monitoring, and efficient manufacturing for regenerative medicine.

AI in Genetic Variant Interpretation: From Data to Meaning

AI in Genetic Variant Interpretation: From Data to Meaning

15/09/2025

AI enhances genetic variant interpretation by analysing DNA sequences, de novo variants, and complex patterns in the human genome for clinical precision.

AI Visual Inspection for Sterile Injectables

AI Visual Inspection for Sterile Injectables

11/09/2025

Improve quality and safety in sterile injectable manufacturing with AI‑driven visual inspection, real‑time control and cost‑effective compliance.

Turning Telecom Data Overload into AI Insights

10/09/2025

Learn how telecoms use AI to turn data overload into actionable insights. Improve efficiency with machine learning, deep learning, and NLP.

Computer Vision in Action: Examples and Applications

9/09/2025

Learn computer vision examples and applications across healthcare, transport, retail, and more. See how computer vision technology transforms industries today.

Hidden Costs of Fragmented Security Systems

8/09/2025

Learn the hidden costs of a fragmented security system, from monthly fee traps to rising insurance premiums, and how to fix them cost-effectively.

EU GMP Annex 1 Guidelines for Sterile Drugs

5/09/2025

Learn about EU GMP Annex 1 compliance, contamination control strategies, and how the pharmaceutical industry ensures sterile drug products.

Predicting Clinical Trial Risks with AI in Real Time

5/09/2025

AI helps pharma teams predict clinical trial risks, side effects, and deviations in real time, improving decisions and protecting human subjects.

5 Real-World Costs of Outdated Video Surveillance

4/09/2025

Outdated video surveillance workflows carry hidden costs. Learn the risks of poor image quality, rising maintenance, and missed incidents.

GDPR and AI in Surveillance: Compliance in a New Era

2/09/2025

Learn how GDPR shapes surveillance in the era of AI. Understand data protection principles, personal information rules, and compliance requirements for organisations.

Generative AI in Pharma: Compliance and Innovation

1/09/2025

Generative AI transforms pharma by streamlining compliance, drug discovery, and documentation with AI models, GANs, and synthetic training data for safer innovation.

AI Vision Models for Pharmaceutical Quality Control

1/09/2025

Learn how AI vision models transform quality control in pharmaceuticals with neural networks, transformer architecture, and high-resolution image analysis.

AI Analytics Tackling Telecom Data Overload

29/08/2025

Learn how AI-powered analytics helps telecoms manage data overload, improve real-time insights, and transform big data into value for long-term growth.

AI Visual Inspections Aligned with Annex 1 Compliance

28/08/2025

Learn how AI supports Annex 1 compliance in pharma manufacturing with smarter visual inspections, risk assessments, and contamination control strategies.

Cutting SOC Noise with AI-Powered Alerting

27/08/2025

Learn how AI-powered alerting reduces SOC noise, improves real time detection, and strengthens organisation security posture while reducing the risk of data breaches.

AI for Pharma Compliance: Smarter Quality, Safer Trials

27/08/2025

AI helps pharma teams improve compliance, reduce risk, and manage quality in clinical trials and manufacturing with real-time insights.

Cleanroom Compliance in Biotech and Pharma

26/08/2025

Learn how cleanroom technology supports compliance in biotech and pharmaceutical industries. From modular cleanrooms to laminar flow systems, meet ISO 14644-1 standards without compromise.

AI’s Role in Clinical Genetics Interpretation

25/08/2025

Learn how AI supports clinical genetics by interpreting variants, analysing complex patterns, and improving the diagnosis of genetic disorders in real time.

Computer Vision and the Future of Safety and Security

19/08/2025

Learn how computer vision improves safety and security through object detection, facial recognition, OCR, and deep learning models in industries from healthcare to transport.

Artificial Intelligence in Video Surveillance

18/08/2025

Learn how artificial intelligence transforms video surveillance through deep learning, neural networks, and real-time analysis for smarter decision support.

Top Biotechnology Innovations Driving Industry R&D

15/08/2025

Learn about the leading biotechnology innovations shaping research and development in the industry, from genetic engineering to tissue engineering.

AR and VR in Telecom: Practical Use Cases

14/08/2025

Learn how AR and VR transform telecom through real world use cases, immersive experience, and improved user experience across mobile devices and virtual environments.

AI-Enabled Medical Devices for Smarter Healthcare

13/08/2025

See how artificial intelligence enhances medical devices, deep learning, computer vision, and decision support for real-time healthcare applications.

3D Models Driving Advances in Modern Biotechnology

12/08/2025

Learn how biotechnology and 3D models improve genetic engineering, tissue engineering, industrial processes, and human health applications.

Computer Vision Applications in Modern Telecommunications

11/08/2025

Learn how computer vision transforms telecommunications with object detection, OCR, real-time video analysis, and AI-powered systems for efficiency and accuracy.

Telecom Supply Chain Software for Smarter Operations

8/08/2025

Learn how telecom supply chain software and solutions improve efficiency, reduce costs, and help supply chain managers deliver better products and services.

Enhancing Peripheral Vision in VR for Wider Awareness

6/08/2025

Learn how improving peripheral vision in VR enhances field of view, supports immersive experiences, and aids users with tunnel vision or eye disease.

AI-Driven Opportunities for Smarter Problem Solving

5/08/2025

AI-driven problem-solving opens new paths for complex issues. Learn how machine learning and real-time analysis enhance strategies.

10 Applications of Computer Vision in Autonomous Vehicles

4/08/2025

Learn 10 real world applications of computer vision in autonomous vehicles. Discover object detection, deep learning model use, safety features and real time video handling.

10 Applications of Computer Vision in Autonomous Vehicles

4/08/2025

Learn 10 real world applications of computer vision in autonomous vehicles. Discover object detection, deep learning model use, safety features and real time video handling.

How AI Is Transforming Wall Street Fast

1/08/2025

Discover how artificial intelligence and natural language processing with large language models, deep learning, neural networks, and real-time data are reshaping trading, analysis, and decision support on Wall Street.

How AI Transforms Communication: Key Benefits in Action

31/07/2025

How AI transforms communication: body language, eye contact, natural languages. Top benefits explained. TechnoLynx guides real‑time communication with large language models.

Top UX Design Principles for Augmented Reality Development

30/07/2025

Learn key augmented reality UX design principles to improve visual design, interaction design, and user experience in AR apps and mobile experiences.

AI Meets Operations Research in Data Analytics

29/07/2025

AI in operations research blends data analytics and computer science to solve problems in supply chain, logistics, and optimisation for smarter, efficient systems.

Generative AI Security Risks and Best Practice Measures

28/07/2025

Generative AI security risks explained by TechnoLynx. Covers generative AI model vulnerabilities, mitigation steps, mitigation & best practices, training data risks, customer service use, learned models, and how to secure generative AI tools.

Best Lightweight Vision Models for Real‑World Use

25/07/2025

Discover efficient lightweight computer vision models that balance speed and accuracy for object detection, inventory management, optical character recognition and autonomous vehicles.

Image Recognition: Definition, Algorithms & Uses

24/07/2025

Discover how AI-powered image recognition works, from training data and algorithms to real-world uses in medical imaging, facial recognition, and computer vision applications.

AI in Cloud Computing: Boosting Power and Security

23/07/2025

Discover how artificial intelligence boosts cloud computing while cutting costs and improving cloud security on platforms.

AI, AR, and Computer Vision in Real Life

22/07/2025

Learn how computer vision, AI, and AR work together in real-world applications, from assembly lines to social media, using deep learning and object detection.

← Back to Blog Overview