In the face of such a challenge, current hopes rest on breakthrough technology based on biological systems. This hope is re-enforced by the great advances in DNA manipulation and robotized sequencing techniques. Transgenic organisms have started to find industrial application and many more organisms are in the making. In addition, it is estimated that only 1% of all microorganisms have ever been grown under laboratory conditions. The potential from new organisms, whether constructed or newly isolated is great.
Whether a microbial strain has been isolated, made to evolve or constructed, it has to be subjected to a set of test to assess its technological and economic suitability. The technologically driven tests involve the screening of the mix of organisms followed by enrichment of desired genotypes and finally isolation of individual cells. The cells then go through a number of tests and the best isolates are chosen to go to the first industrially-relevant trials. This up scaling can already present many difficulties but going towards cubic meters of cultures can present even more challenges.
This paper examines some of the current challenge for modern biotechnology, its application and some of the issues that can be encountered during scale-up to larger volumes.