Abstract
Advancements at the interphase of engineering and biology have produced disciplines that include Biotechnology and Biomimetics. These new disciplines proffer exciting solutions to real life problems. New technologies are available for the purification of water and treatment of sewage; challenges that are common in resource-limited countries. In the medical sciences, tissue engineering methods are rapidly and positively transforming the field of regenerative and restorative Medicine. The importance of Biotechnology and Biomimetics in the management of infectious diseases and in drug development (Pharmacology and Toxicology) is rising exponentially. However, for sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), these advances are yet to make meaningful and significant impact. Biotechnology and Biomimetics are still at very rudimentary stages of development with many challenges militating against progress. The prospects and challenges for SSA are discussed here.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Bar-Cohen, Y.: Biomimetics–using nature to inspire human innovation. Bioinspir. Biomim. 1(1), P1–P12 (2006)
Bhushan, B.: Biomimetics: lessons from nature–an overview. Philos. Trans. A Math. Phys. Eng. Sci. 2009(367), 1445–1486 (1893)
Bureau, P.R.: World population data sheet (2014)
Lim, S.S., Vos, T., Flaxman, A.D., Danaei, G., Shibuya, K., Adair-Rohani, H., Amann, M., Anderson, H.R., Andrews, K.G., Aryee, M., et al.: A comparative risk assessment of burden of disease and injury attributable to 67 risk factors and risk factor clusters in 21 regions, 1990-2010: a systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study 2010. Lancet 380(9859), 2224–2260 (2012)
Canhoto, O.F., Magan, N.: Potential for detection of microorganisms and heavy metals in potable water using electronic nose technology. Biosens. Bioelectron. 18(5–6), 751–754 (2003)
Wang, S., Xu, Z., Fang, G., Zhang, Y., Liu, B., Zhu, H.: Development of a biomimetic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method for the determination of estrone in environmental water using novel molecularly imprinted films of controlled thickness as artificial antibodies. J. Agric. Food Chem. 57(11), 4528–4534 (2009)
Thomas, J.M., Ward, C.H.: Biotechnology for in situ restoration of ground water contaminated by the petroleum industry. Schriftenr. Ver. Wasser. Boden. Lufthyg. 80, 345–365 (1989)
Janssen, D.B., Witholt, B.: Developments in biotechnology of relevance to drinking water preparation. Sci. Tot. Environ. 47, 121–135 (1985)
Justin, G., Finley, S., Abdur Rahman, A.R., Guiseppi-Elie, A.: Biomimetic hydrogels for biosensor implant biocompatibility: electrochemical characterization using micro-disc electrode arrays (MDEAs). Biomed. Microdevices 11(1), 103–115 (2009)
Egan, T.J.: Haemozoin formation. Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 157(2), 127–136 (2008)
Egan, T.J.: Recent advances in understanding the mechanism of hemozoin (malaria pigment) formation. J. Inorg. Biochem. 102(5–6), 1288–1299 (2008)
Walker, D.B., Joshi, G., Davis, A.P.: Progress in biomimetic carbohydrate recognition. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 66(19), 3177–3191 (2009)
Wang, Y., Mangipudi, S.S., Canine, B.F., Hatefi, A.: A designer biomimetic vector with a chimeric architecture for targeted gene transfer. J. Control Release 137(1), 46–53 (2009)
Jelinek, R., Silbert, L.: Biomimetic approaches for studying membrane processes. Mol. Biosyst. 5(8), 811–818 (2009)
Ring, F.: Thermal imaging today and its relevance to diabetes. J. Diabetes Sci. Technol. 4(4), 857–862 (2010)
Parker, M.D., Taberner, A.J., Nielsen, P.M.: A thermal stereoscope for surface reconstruction of the diabetic foot. Conf. Proc. IEEE Eng. Med. Biol. Soc. 2011, 306–309 (2011)
Pafili, K., Papanas, N.: Thermography in the follow up of the diabetic foot: best to weigh the enemy more mighty than he seems. Expert Rev. Med. Devices 2014, 1–3 (2014)
Anburajan, M., Sivanandam, S., Bidyarasmi, S., Venkatraman, B., Menaka, M., Raj, B.: Changes of skin temperature of parts of the body and serum asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) in type-2 diabetes mellitus Indian patients. Conf. Proc. IEEE Eng. Med. Biol. Soc. 2011, 6254–6259 (2011)
Balbinot, L.F., Canani, L.H., Robinson, C.C., Achaval, M., Zaro, M.A.: Plantar thermography is useful in the early diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy. Clinics 67(12), 1419–1425 (2012)
Balbinot, L.F., Robinson, C.C., Achaval, M., Zaro, M.A., Brioschi, M.L.: Repeatability of infrared plantar thermography in diabetes patients: a pilot study. J. Diabetes Sci. Technol. 7(5), 1130–1137 (2013)
Gardner, A.F., Kelman, Z.: DNA polymerases in biotechnology. Front. Microbiol. 5, 659 (2014)
Hamilton, S.C., Farchaus, J.W., Davis, M.C.: DNA polymerases as engines for biotechnology. Biotechniques 31(2), 370–376, 378–380, 382–373 (2001)
Kranaster, R., Marx, A.: Engineered DNA polymerases in biotechnology. ChemBioChem 11(15), 2077–2084 (2010)
Lovatt, A.: Applications of quantitative PCR in the biosafety and genetic stability assessment of biotechnology products. J. Biotechnol. 82(3), 279–300 (2002)
Misteli, T., Spector, D.L.: Applications of the green fluorescent protein in cell biology and biotechnology. Nat. Biotechnol. 15(10), 961–964 (1997)
Lavrentieva, A., Hatlapatka, T., Neumann, A., Weyand, B., Kasper, C.: Potential for osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation of MSC. Adv. Biochem. Eng. Biotechnol. 129, 73–88 (2013)
Weyand, B., Israelowitz, M., von Schroeder, H.P., Vogt, P.M.: Fluid dynamics in bioreactor design: considerations for the theoretical and practical approach. Adv. Biochem. Eng. Biotechnol. 112, 251–268 (2009)
Bellamy, K.E., Waters, M.G.: Designing a prosthesis to simulate the elastic properties of skin. Biomed. Mater. Eng. 15(1–2), 21–27 (2005)
Ashammakhi, N., Ndreu, A., Nikkola, L., Wimpenny, I., Yang, Y.: Advancing tissue engineering by using electrospun nanofibers. Regen. Med. 3(4), 547–574 (2008)
Adachi, Y., Yoshida, J., Kodera, Y., Kato, A., Yoshikawa, Y., Kojima, Y., Sakurai, H.: A new insulin-mimetic bis(allixinato)zinc(II) complex: structure-activity relationship of zinc(II) complexes. J. Biol. Inorg. Chem. 9(7), 885–893 (2004)
Corsello, M.A., Garg, N.K.: Synthetic chemistry fuels interdisciplinary approaches to the production of artemisinin. Nat. Prod. Rep. 32(3), 359–366 (2015)
Ahmed, C.M., Burkhart, M.A., Subramaniam, P.S., Mujtaba, M.G., Johnson, H.M.: Peptide mimetics of gamma interferon possess antiviral properties against vaccinia virus and other viruses in the presence of poxvirus B8R protein. J. Virol. 79(9), 5632–5639 (2005)
Avendano, C., Menendez, J.C.: Peptidomimetics in cancer chemotherapy. Clin. Transl. Oncol. 9(9), 563–570 (2007)
Carmona-Ribeiro, A.M.: Biomimetic particles in drug and vaccine delivery. J. Liposome Res. 17(3–4), 165–172 (2007)
Chen, S., Chen, R., He, M., Pang, R., Tan, Z., Yang, M.: Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel quinoline derivatives as HIV-1 Tat-TAR interaction inhibitors. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 17(5), 1948–1956 (2009)
Denap, J.C., Thomas, J.R., Musk, D.J., Hergenrother, P.J.: Combating drug-resistant bacteria: small molecule mimics of plasmid incompatibility as antiplasmid compounds. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 126(47), 15402–15404 (2004)
Yang, X.X., Hu, Z.P., Duan, W., Zhu, Y.Z., Zhou, S.F.: Drug-herb interactions: eliminating toxicity with hard drug design. Curr. Pharm. Des. 12(35), 4649–4664 (2006)
Khan, Y.M., Aliabbas, S., Vimal, V., Rajkumar, S.: Recent advances in medicinal plant biotechnology. Indian J. Biotechnol. 8, 9–22 (2009)
Huang, H.P., Li, J.C., Huang, L.Q., Wang, D.L., Huang, P., Nie, J.S.: The application of biotechnology in medicinal plants breeding research in China. Chin. J. Integr. Med. (2015)
Ferraro, K.F., Kim, S.: Health benefits of religion among Black and White older adults? Race, religiosity, and C-reactive protein. Soc. Sci. Med. 120, 92–99 (2014)
Adair-Rohani, H., Zukor, K., Bonjour, S., Wilburn, S., Kuesel, A.C., Hebert, R., Fletcher, E.R.: Limited electricity access in health facilities of sub-saharan Africa: a systematic review of data on electricity access, sources, and reliability. Glob. Health Sci. Pract. 1(2), 249–261 (2010)
Maiyaki, M.B., Garbati, M.A.: The burden of non-communicable diseases in Nigeria; in the context of globalization. Ann. Afr. Med. 13(1), 1–10 (2014)
Okechukwu, A.A., Okechukwu, O.I.: Prevalence of paediatric HIV infection in federal capital territory. Abuja. Niger J. Med. 20(4), 409–413 (2011)
Uguru, N.P., Onwujekwe, O.E., Uzochukwu, B.S., Igiliegbe, G.C., Eze, S.B.: Inequities in incidence, morbidity and expenditures on prevention and treatment of malaria in southeast Nigeria. BMC Int. Health Hum. Rights 9, 21 (2009)
Cloete, T.E., Nel, L.H., Theron, J.: Biotechnology in South Africa. Trends Biotechnol. 24(12), 557–562 (2006)
Africa moves to strengthen biotechnology: Nature 399(6731), 6 (1999)
Agbo, E.C., Agwale, S., Ezeugwu, C.O., Semete, B., Swai, H., Ikeme, A., Somiari, R.I.: Biotechnology innovation in Africa. Science 321(5897), 1778 (2008)
Andanda, A.P.: Health-related biotechnology in Africa: managing the legislative and regulatory issues. Afr. J. Med. Med. Sci. 36(Suppl), 55–61 (2007)
Acknowledgements
The authour acknowledges the valuable contributions of Dr. (Mrs) Afieharo Michael and Dr. Taiwo Lawal of the Department of Surgery, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The author declares no conflict of interest.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2021 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Michael, O.S. (2021). Medical Biotechnology and Biomimetics: Prospects and Challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa. In: Israelowitz, M., Weyand, B., von Schroeder, H., Vogt, P., Reuter, M., Reimers, K. (eds) Biomimetics and Bionic Applications with Clinical Applications. Series in BioEngineering. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-53214-1_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-53214-1_2
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-53212-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-53214-1
eBook Packages: Physics and AstronomyPhysics and Astronomy (R0)