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Yellow biotechnology

Insects are revolutionizing food, medicine, and biotechnology. From sustainable protein sources to wound-healing maggots and antibiotics, they offer eco-friendly solutions to global challenges. 

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Black soldier fly larva, the insect with many applications.

Black soldier fly larva, the insect with many applications. Image: © Martin Breu

Honey production by bees is the most familiar example of insects' role in human culture. However, insects have historically been and are being used in much broader applications, collectively referred to as yellow biotechnology, encompassing medicine, food, feed, agriculture, and environmental solutions.

Food 

In Africa, South America, and Asia, insects are a crucial protein source in traditional diets, though the rest of the world has been slower to embrace them as food. With growing populations and escalating environmental challenges, insects are gaining recognition as a sustainable solution to global food insecurity. Numerous companies are now developing insect products, which are increasingly appearing also on shelves in Europe, signaling a shift toward their wider acceptance in future diets.

Fried insects on Khao San Road in Bangkok, Thailand.

Fried insects on Khao San Road in Bangkok, Thailand. Image: Adobe Stock

Biotechnology

Insect cells have emerged as powerful tools in biotechnology, offering significant advantages for various applications in health, medicine, and industry. Among the most commonly used insect cells are Drosophila S2 cells and lepidopteran (butterflies and moths) cells, both of which are known for their ability to produce high yields of enzymes and proteins with diverse functions.

The journey of insect cell culture began in the 1960s with the establishment of the first continuously growing cell lines from lepidopteran insects. Since then, over 600 insect cell lines have been developed, representing more than 100 species, predominantly from lepidopteran (moths) and dipteran (flies and mosquitoes) insects.

A transformative moment in insect cell biotechnology came in the early 1980s with the genetic modification of baculoviruses, which enabled their use as vectors*, for producing foreign proteins in lepidopteran cells. This breakthrough technology is now widely used in vaccine development, gene therapy, biopesticide and industrial enzyme production.

Medicine

Wound Healing

Blow flies (Calliphoridae) are often associated with disease transmission, but they also have a surprising role in medicine. Historically, from the time of Genghis Khan to World War I, blow fly larvae have been used to treat infections in wounds, particularly in soldiers. While the practice might sound unappealing, it is scientifically grounded. Sterile larvae, grown under controlled laboratory conditions, are used to avoid introducing harmful pathogens into the wound. These larvae promote healing by producing antibacterial compounds and altering the pH of the wound environment, which inhibits the growth of many bacterial species. Additionally, they consume dead tissue while sparing healthy flesh, effectively cleaning the wound. Although this method was largely abandoned with the advent of antibiotics, it has seen a resurgence in recent years due to the alarming rise of antibiotic resistance.

Larvae of the blow fly species Lucillia sericata in medicinal packaging on the left. The tube on the right serves as a size reference.

Larvae of the blow fly species Lucillia sericata in medicinal packaging on the left. The tube on the right serves as a size reference. Image: Wikipedia Commons/Enter, CC Licence

Antibiotic resistance

Antibiotic resistance has become a global medical crisis, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting at least 700 000 deaths annually caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. As existing treatments fail against these superbugs, there is an urgent need to explore alternative approaches. Insects, often overlooked, hold immense potential in this regard. Acting as natural chemical factories, they harbor symbiotic microorganisms and produce a wide range of antimicrobial compounds. These molecules have evolved over millions of years to combat diverse bacterial strains. However, the majority of these bioactive compounds remain unexplored and require further research to unlock their potential for modern medicine.

Leaf cutter ants are carrying leaf pieces to their nest for fungi farming.

Leaf-cutter ants are carrying leaf pieces to their nest for fungi farming. Image: Adobe Stock

Leaf-cutting ants provide a fascinating example of insects leveraging bacteria to combat pathogens. These ants are fungus farmers, carrying leaves back to their nests to cultivate specific fungi that serve as a vital food source for their larvae. However, their carefully tended fungal gardens are often attacked by a parasitic fungus known as Escovopsis, which can devastate their crops.

To protect their food supply, the ants have developed a symbiotic relationship with bacteria that live on their thoraxes. These bacteria produce powerful antimicrobial compounds that specifically target and suppress the growth of Escovopsis, safeguarding the fungal gardens. In return, the bacteria receive nutrients secreted by specialized glands on the ants' thoraxes, creating a mutually beneficial partnership.

Beyond leaf-cutting ants, other insects also show great potential as sources of antimicrobial products. For example, termites harbor symbiotic bacteria in their guts that produce compounds capable of killing harmful microbes, while certain species of wasps produce venom with antimicrobial peptides. These discoveries highlight the untapped potential of insects as natural chemical factories, providing a promising avenue for combating antibiotic-resistant pathogens and other medical challenges.

These are just a few examples of how insects and their biological allies contribute to innovative solutions in biotechnology, medicine, and sustainability. Did you know that insects are also used in cosmetics, sustainable agriculture, alternative livestock feed, and even environmental restoration? In this topic, we will explore the remarkable potential of insects to address global challenges and provide smart, sustainable solutions for the future.

*Glossary

Vectors: Vehicles used in biotechnology to transfer genetic material into cells. Modified viruses can serve as vectors to deliver foreign genes for research, therapy, or protein production.

References

Smagghe G et al. 2009. Insect cell culture and applications to research and pest management. In Vitro Cell.Dev.Biol.-Animal 45:93–105. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11626-009-9181-x

Pathak A et al. 2019. Resisting Antimicrobial Resistance: Lessons from Fungus Farming Ants. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Volume 34;11: 974-976. 10.1016/j.tree.2019.08.007

Zimmer C. 2019. These ants use germ-killers and they’re better than ours. The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/26/science/ants-fungus-antibiotic-resistance.html Accessed 30.01.2025

Van Oers MM & Lynn DE 2010. Insect Cell Culture. Cell Biology. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470015902.a0002574.pub2

The author

Portrait photo of Kaan Mika.

Dr. Kaan Mika

ETH Zurich - The Biocommunication Group

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