Molecular Biotechnology: Principles and Practices is intended as a textbook aimed at providing undergraduate and postgraduate students with a strong base in this emerging and highly promising interdisciplinary science. It strikes a balance between two important aspects of the science – the theory of molecular biology and the experimental approach to the study of biological processes. The main feature of this book is that it covers a wide range of molecular techniques in biotechnology and is designed to be a student- and teacher-friendly textbook. Each technique is described conceptually, followed by a detailed experimental account of the steps involved. The book can also serve as reference to the interested reader who is venturing into the field of biotechnology for the first time. Special Features -Provides comprehensive and up-to-date coverage of key concepts in biotechnology - Logical format used to provide easy access to the information - Clear and well-labelled figures - Extensive cross–referencing between chapters
PART I : Introduction to Biotechnology
1. Biotechnology: Scope and Importance
2. Biosafety and Good Laboratory Practices
PART II: Advanced Techniques in Molecular Biology
3. Techniques of Cell Fractionation and Centrifugation
4. Chemical Synthesis of Nucleic Acids
5. DNA Chip Technology and its Potential Applications
6. Bioinformatics in Biotechnology
PART III: Working with Nucleic Acids
7. Isolation of Nucleic Acids
8. Measuring Nucleic Acid Concentration and Purity
9. Electrophoretic Techniques
10. DNA Sequencing
11. Genetic Maps and Marker Analysis
12. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
13. In Situ Hybridization
PART IV: Recombinant DNA and Genetic Engineering
14. Fundamentals of Recombinant DNA Technology
15. Enzymes in Molecular Cloning
16. Gene Constructs and Cloning Vectors
17. DNA Libraries 18. Molecular Biology of Gene Transfer Systems
19. Selection and Screening of Recombinant Molecules
PART V: Applications of Biotechnology
20. Genetic Engineering of Microorganisms
21. Genetic Engineering of Animals
22. Genetic Engineering in Plants
PART VI: Working with Proteins
23. Protein Purification Techniques
24. Protein Detection and Estimation
25. Protein Fractionation Techniques
26. Immunochemical Techniques
PART VII: Bacterial and Mammalian Cell Culture
27. Biology of Bacteria
28. Cultivation of Mammalian Cells In vitro
PART VIII: In Vitro Plant Cell Culture and Crop Improvement
29. Plant Cell Culture Laboratory and Requirements
30. Plant Culture Media, Preparation, and Culture Initiation
31. Micropropagation
32. Cultures of Organized Tissues
33. Culture of Unorganized Tissues
34. Cryopreservation and Distribution of Clonal Material
35. Measurement of Plant Cell Growth and
PART VIII: Cytological Analysis
36. Protoplast Fusion and Somaclonal Variation
37. Application of Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture
PART IX: Environmental Biotechnology
38. Biotechnology in Pollution Control
39. Biodiversity and Genetic Conservation
40. Bioenergy Fuel from Biomass
41. Regulatory Aspects of Using Genetically-Modified Organisms
42. Intellectual Property Rights and Socio-Legal Aspects of Biotechnology Appendices