What bacterium is commonly used in biotechnology for product development and is native to mammalian intestines?

Escherichia coli, commonly referred to as E. coli, is a bacterium that is frequently utilized in biotechnology for various applications, particularly in product development. Its natural habitat is primarily the intestines of mammals, which makes it a suitable model organism for studying numerous biological processes.

E. coli is favored in biotechnology for several reasons. It has a rapid growth rate, allowing for quick replication and protein expression. Its genetic manipulation is well understood, meaning scientists can easily alter its DNA to produce desired proteins or compounds. Furthermore, E. coli can be used to express recombinant proteins – proteins that are made from a combination of genes – which are crucial for developing medications, vaccines, and other biological products.

In addition to its usefulness in basic research and industrial applications, E. coli serves as a platform for synthetic biology. This involves designing and constructing new biological parts, devices, and systems, as well as redesigning existing natural biological systems for useful purposes.

The other bacteria listed do have applications in various fields, but they do not possess the same combination of rapid growth, ease of manipulation, and extensive research background that E. coli does, which is why it stands as the primary choice for biotechnology product development.