VPB 321: Animal Biotechnology (2+1)

COURSE OVERVIEW

This course deals with the details on animal biotechnology i.e. the applications of tools of molecular biology and biotechnology for the improved production and protection of animals, animal products. At the introduction of the course, the definitions of biotechnology, animal biotechnology and various branches of animal biotechnology have been explained.

At the beginning, there are few lectures on the basics of cells, nucleic acids, replication, transcription and translation have been given to recollect these important items before the start of the actual molecular techniques since these topics are very essential to understand the molecular techniques. Principles and applications of recombinant DNA technology, Genecloning, vectors and expression vectors, transformation, transfection, PCR, construction of genomic library and cDNA library, DNA sequencing, different blotting techniques, nucleic acid hybridization, DNA probes and DNA finger printing are all given with suitable figures and animations.

For the improvement of animal production, biotechnological techniques like embryo transfer, in vitro fertilization, transgenic animal , animal cloning and biopharming have been explained.Other biotechnological techniques which have been used to improve the animal production including mapping of genome and genome sequencing, marker assisted selection, gene banking, nutritional biotechnology, genetic manipulation of microbes to improve feed utilization and health are also explained. Animal tissue culture, cell lines and their applications in animal production and applicatiosn of tumor markers and acute phase proteins in animal disease diagnosis have been given.

For the protection of animals, applications of disease diagnostic tools such as PCR and DNA probes, hybridoma and monoclonal antibodies have been explained. New generation vaccines like subunit, recombinant and recombinant vectored vaccines have been given in this course.Fermentation process and technologies for milk, meat and leather and ethics and regulatory issues in Biotechnology, IPR and bioinformatics have also been included to get an overview of animal biotechnology.