(i) Production of Antibiotics: Life saving antibiotics such as subtilin (Bacillus subtilisi), polymyxin (Bacillus polymyxa), streptomycin (Actinomycetes), terramycin, colicin or colibacterin (E. coli) are made from bacteria.
(ii) Preparation of vaccines: Vaccines are prepared from bacteria for diseases like cholera, typhoid, tuberculosis, scurvy, whooping cough, diphtheria etc. The DPT vaccine is made from bacteria. DPT is named after Corynebacterium dipthae (D), Bordetalla pertussis (P) and Clostridium tetani (T).
(iii) Steroid production: Steroids are produced from bacteria through biotechnology. Steroids are used medically. Eg – Testosterone, Pednisone, Estradiol, Estrone etc.
(iv) Hormone production: Valuable hormones are produced from bacteria through biotechnology. All these hormones are used as medicines. Eg – Insulin, Erythropoietin, Interferon, TPA etc.