Editorial

Biotechnology uses living organisms and some of their metabolites to elaborate or modify products. Some of its applications such as fermentation processes have been used over the course of history, whereas other applications are more recent. For instance, even though the Egyptians had no knowledge about microorganisms, they used them for preparing alcoholic drinks. Nowadays, microorganisms are used to synthesize antibiotics, enzymes, nucleic acids, and so on.

Biotechnology is used for generating solutions in all aspects of agricultural production. That includes plant breeding to increase crop yield, resistance to plant pathogens, abiotic stresses such as salinity, drought, and cold stresses, and to improve the nutritional and nutraceutical facts of food.

Biotechnology is also used to develop disease-free plant materials, and for creating new tools for diagnostic and treatment of both plant and animal diseases. Furthermore, it is used for conservation of genetic resources. In addition, environmentally friendly production of goods in the agricultural sector through the use of bioinputs (biopesticides and biofertilizers) for crops and for improvement of livestock production that result in improved animal nutrition.

Although modern agricultural biotechnology comprises molecular tools to understand and modify the genetic structure of some organisms for production and transformation of agricultural products, now it is clear that biotechnology is more than genetic engineering. Genomics, for example, is now revolutionizing our understanding about genes, cells, organisms, and their functions within ecosystems. In addition, it is opening new ways for selecting genetic markers and management of genetic resources. Functional genomics uses a great amount of information gathered from genome analysis to describe genes and proteins, their function and interactions. Similarly, metabolomics studies the chemical fingerprint of some cellular processes, in particular their structures and functions. It opens a plethora of possibilities for discovering new metabolites and proteins with unique characteristics, phytochemicals, food additives, drugs, and many compounds of industrial interest.

Colombia is considered as a mega-diverse country. Hence, we have great opportunities for a remarkable economic development. For instance, the discovering of genes, proteins, and metabolites can imply the creation of bioindustries to take advantage of our biological resources in a sustainable way. Several opportunities arise from the agricultural sector such as development of bioproducts, biotransformation of some bioresources, production of second and third generation biofuels, production of functional food, or biosynthesis of biodegradable plastics. Taken together, these can contribute to increase the competitiveness of the agricultural sector.

Corpoica is committed with sustainable development of the agricultural sector, and currently it is facing several challenges related to the study and sustainable exploitation of our biodiversity. By using some innovative biotechnological solutions, Corpoica will be able to give an additional value to the commodity chains. Nevertheless, there is currently a limited interaction among national actors of the biotechnology sector and a limited international connectivity. This situation has resulted in a dispersion of efforts and available resources. In consequence, it is greatly required to design strategies that allow us focusing on our objectives, and thus fostering alliances to improve the economic development in Colombia.