Introduction to Biology & Biotechnology

The science of Biotechnology mainly rests upon the basic principles of biology and envisages their application for developing a technology for industrial production of food, agriculture, health-care and chemical products. Research and developments in diverse fields of biology evolved molecular diagnostics, medicines, vaccines, monoclonal antibodies and ultimately the gene therapy in the sphere of health-care; hybrid seed, biopesticides, fertilizers, plant extracts in the field of Agriculture; the production of enzymes, biopolymers, biofuels and fermentation products in the Industrial sector; waste water management, bioremediation, biosensors in the sector of Environmental Biotechnology. Coupled with genomics, proteomics, structural biology and computational biology, the science of Biotechnology is going to accelerate economic growth quite dramatically in near feature.             This book deals with the presentation of applications of the four pillars of biology, microbes, plants, animals and humans, from the point of view of biotechnological applications. This book is intended to serve as a textbook for undergraduates as well as postgraduates pursuing biotechnology as a career option, especially those who have not studied biology at intermediate (plus two) stage. Special Features· Covers all aspects of basic microbial, plant, animal and human biology starting from the life cycles, mode of reproduction diversity and classification.· Describes the linkage of biological principles to plant, animal, environmental, industrial and medical biotechnologies.· Discusses the basic concepts of genetics and molecular biology besides some of the technological developments in the production of biopolymers, vaccines, gene therapy, bioremediation, biofuels, biofertilizers etc. Contents Part – A: Fundamentals of Biology, 1. Introduction to Microbial World, 2. Introduction to Plant Biology, 3. Introduction to Animal Biology, 4. Introduction to Human Biology, 5. Introduction to Parasites and Immune Responses, 6. Introduction to Genetics and Molecular Biology, Part – B: Elements of Biotechnology, 7. Introduction to Biotechnology, 8. Microbial Biotechnology, 9. Plant Biotechnology, 10. Animal Biotechnology, 11. Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology About the Authors K. Vaidyanath, M.Sc., Ph.D presently is an Academic Advisor for Biotechnology, PG College of Science, Saifabad, Osmania University. Formerly he was a Professor and Head of the Department of Genetics. He was Co-ordinator and Chairman, Board of Studies in Biotechnology of Osmania University, Hyderabad. He taught at PG/PhD level for nearly four decades with more than 75 research publications in national and international journals to his credit. K. Pratap Reddy, M.Sc., Ph.D is presently working as Professor at Department of Zoology, Osmania University, Hyderabad. He has more than 20 years of teaching experience. He has about 25 years of research experience, guided Ph.D’s, published 42 research publications and carried out 4 research projects K. Satya Prasad, M.Sc., Ph.D is a Professor of Botany, Osmania University with over two decades of teaching and research experience and actively involved in promoting scientific temper among people. He was awarded Rothamsted International Fellowship, UK to pursue research in molecular plant pathology and fungal biotechnology. He has published about 40 papers, authored text books on fungi, botany for Telugu Academy, developed 25 audio visual programmes for countrywide class room teaching for UGC.