Biotechnology Fundamentals

Dr. Firdos Alam Khan is chairperson of the department of biotechnology at Manipal University in Dubai. He received his doctoral degree in the field of neuroscience from Nagpur University, India and has more than 15 years of research and teaching experience in various domains of biotechnology. His area of specialty in biotechnology includes stem cell technology, pharmacology, and neuroscience. He did his first postdoctoral research from Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India and his second postdoctoral training from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, USA. He also worked with Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, California, USA on a Parkinson’s’ research project. He later joined Reliance Life Sciences Mumbai, India and worked on adult and embryonic stem cell projects. He has written numerous articles in various national and international journals in the areas of neuroscience, neuropharmcology and stem cell biology. He has filed several patents in the field of stem cell technology in India, Europe, and USA, and he has been associated with international scientific organizations including the International Brain Research Organization in France and the Society for Neuroscience in the U.S. He has also been a presenter at more than 20 different international conferences in places including India, China, Thailand, and the United States.

Introduction to Biotechnology


What Is Biotechnology?


Animal Biotechnology


Agricultural Biotechnology


Medical Biotechnology


Industrial Biotechnology


Environmental Biotechnology


Other Emerging Fields of Biotechnology


History of Biotechnology


Human Genome Project


Major Scientific Discoveries in Biotechnology


Biotechnology as the Science of Integration


Bio-Revolution


Ethical and Regulatory Issues in Biotechnology


Future of Biotechnology






Genes and Genomics


Introduction


Cell as the Building Block of Life


Classification of Cells


Extracellular Organization


Intracellular Organization


Macromolecules


Genes and Genetics


Cell Division


DNA Replication


DNA Interactions with Proteins


DNA-Modifying Enzymes


DNA Methylation


DNA Mutation


Tools of Biotechnology






Proteins and Proteomics


Introduction


Significance of Proteins


Protein Biosynthesis


Protein Structure


Protein Folding


Protein Modification


Protein Transport


Protein Dysfunction and Degradation


Regulation of Protein Synthesis


Regulatory Protein


Methods for Protein Analysis


Protein Purification


Tools of Proteomics






Recombinant DNA Technology


Introduction


Making of Recombinant DNA


Significance of Recombinant DNA Technology


Role of Restriction Enzymes in rDNA Technology


Steps in Gene Cloning


Synthesis of Complete Gene


Polymerase Chain Reaction and Gene Cloning


Significance of Vectors in rDNA Technology


Classification of Vectors


Integration of the DNA Insert into the Vector


Introduction of the Recombinant DNA into the Suitable Host


Increased Competence of E. coli by CaCl2 Treatment


Infection by Recombinant DNAs Packaged as Virions


Selection of Recombinant Clones


Identification of Clones Having Recombinant DNAs


Selection of Clone Containing a Specific DNA Insert


Applications of Recombinant DNA Technology


DNA Sequencing


Microarrays


DNA Chips


Isolation of Desired DNA


cDNA Library


Preparation of cDNA


Genomic Library


DNA Libraries


Chemical Synthesis Gene


Applications of Synthetic Oligonucleotides






Microbial Biotechnology


Introduction


Structural Organization of Microbes


Microbial Metabolism


Microbial Growth


Microbial Genetics


Genetic Recombination in Bacteria


Transposable Genetic Elements


Use of E. coli in Microbial Cloning


Pathogenic Bacteria


Application of Microbes


Food Microbiology


Microbial Biotechnology






Agricultural Biotechnology


Introduction


Plant Breeding


Plant Diseases


Applications of Molecular and Genetic Tools in Agriculture


Herbicide-Tolerant Plants


Pigmentation in Transgenic Plants


Altering the Food Content of Plants


Gene Transfer Methods in Plants


Target Cells for Gene Transformation


Vectors for Gene Transfer


Transformation Techniques Using Agrobacterium


ß-Glucuronidase GUS Gene


Agroinfection and Gene Transfer


DNA-Mediated Gene Transfer


Electroporation for Gene Transfer


Liposome-Mediated Gene Transfer


Gene Transformation Using Pollen


Application of Transgenic Plants


How Safe Are Transgenic Plants?


Bioengineered Plants


Genetically Modified Maize


Terminator Technology






Animal Biotechnology


Introduction


History of the Use of Animals in Research


Drug Testing in Animals is Mandatory


Application of Animal Models


Animal Models


Animal Biotechnology


Biotechnology and Fish Farming


Regulations of Animal Testing






Environmental Biotechnology


Introduction


Factors Affecting the Environment


Environment Protection by Biotechnology






Medical Biotechnology


Introduction


Antibody Production


Therapeutic Proteins


Stem Cell Transplantation


Bioengineered Skin


Bioengineered Organ Transplantation


Gene Therapy


Molecular Diagnostics


Artificial Blood


Organ Transplant


Cloning






Nanobiotechnology


Introduction


Nanotechnology


Nanobiotechnology


Applications of Nanobiotechnology


Nanotechnology in the Food Industry


Water Pollution and Nanotechnology


Research Trends






Product Development in Biotechnology


Introduction


Methods of Scientific Enquiry


Commercialization of Scientific Discovery


Business Plan


Biotechnology Product Development


Phases of Biotechnology Product Development


Biotechnology Entrepreneurship


Biotechnology Industry: History and Facts


Formation of a New Biotechnology Company


Successful Bioentrepreneurship


Biotechnology Products and Intellectual Property Rights


Biotechnology Stock Investment: Pros and Cons


Marketing Trends in Biotechnology


Role of Regulators in Biotechnology Product Development


Certification and Accreditation






Industrial Biotechnology


Introduction


Fermenter or Bioreactor


Principle of Fermentation


Production of Biomolecules Using Fermenter Technology


Development Process of Microbial Products


Upstream Bioprocess


Downstream Bioprocess


Bioprocess Automation


Industrial Application of Microbes


Industrial Production of Healthcare Products






Ethics in Biotechnology


Introduction


Genetically Modified Foods and Plants


Use of Animals as Experimental Models


Use of Humans as Experimental Models


Xenotransplantation


Genetic Screening


Biometrics


DNA Fingerprinting


Organ Donation and Transplantation


Euthanasia


Neuroethics


Assisted Reproductive Technology


Embryonic Stem Cell Research


Human Cloning






Careers in Biotechnology


Introduction


Education and Investment in Biotechnology


Research and Development in Biotechnology


Biotechnology Industry and Products


Biotechnology Status in the United States


Career Opportunities in Biotechnology


Entry-Level Job Positions in Biotechnology


Administration


Which Job Is Good for Me?


Why Are R&D Jobs the Most Challenging?


Salary and Incentives in Biotechnology






Laboratory Tutorials


Laboratory Experiments


Laboratory Safety


Good Laboratory Practices for Biotechnology Labs


General Laboratory Techniques


General Principles of Animal Handling


Animal Anesthesia


Animal Histology


Blood Collection in Animals


Histology and Microscopy


Separation Techniques


Microbiology Techniques


Biochemistry Techniques


Molecular Techniques


Genetic Techniques


Agricultural Biotechnology


Microbial Biotechnology






Glossary