Course Contents

• An introduction to Biotechnology: Definition, History and background, Biotechnology-an interdisciplinary pursuit, Main areas of Biotechnology • Substrates for Biotechnology: The nature of biomass, Natural raw material, Availability of by-products, Chemical and petrochemical feed stocks. • Genetics and Biotechnology: Central Dogma of Molecular Biology, Techniques and principles of Genetic Engineering or production of transgenic plant Transformation Technology or method of gene transfer,Differential gene expression • Principal of Genetic Engineering: Definition, History, Various steps in recombinant DNA,Selection of DNA of interest---target DNA,A cloning vector or vehicle to carry the inserted piece of target DNA,Restriction endonucleases which makes internal cuts at specific sites on DNA,DNA ligase ,Isolation of recombinant molecule by different methods. • Biotechnology in Agriculture and Forestry: Production and importance of transgenic plants or GM crops, B t crops, Environmental biological control, Nitrogen fixation, Biotechnology in forestry industry. • Fermentation Biotechnology: Introduction, Fermentation as a biochemical process, Microbial process and raw material,Microorganism------used in fermentation, Examples of fermentation products, Modes of fermentation, Scale-up, Solid substrate fermentation, Fermentor technology in developing countries. • Enzyme production by Biotechnology: The nature of enzymes, Production of enzyme by microorganism,Media for enzyme production, Method of Enzyme Production, Commercial production, important microbial enzymes, Immobilization of enzymes. • Single Cell protein production: Definition, The need for proteins, Modes of SCP production, SCP derived from high-energy sources, SCP from wastes, SCP from agricultural crops ,SCP from algae ,fungi, bacteria, The economic implication of SCP. • Environmental Biotechnology: Microbes and geological environment, Environmental monitoring and biomonitoring, Biosensors to detect environmental pollutants, Environment and energy, Renewable sources of energy, Biomass production and its utilization for energy, Energy and fuel using microorganism, Conservation of energy

Course Synopsis

The subject covers basic scientific knowledge and its application in biotechnology. Basic molecular biology & practical applications, some historical examples, contemporary applications of biotechnology will be discussed to provide tools and basic knowledge in order to understand biotechnology. The emerging areas of biotechnology, for example Agricultural and forest Biotechnology, Protein, Recombinant DNA technology and issues that impact Biotechnology industry will be discussed as well. In addition to that, a provocative and issues in Biotechnology, genetically modified food, genetic testing, embryos for research/human cloning, ethical/legality/social questions & dilemmas will be incorporated.

Course Learning Outcomes

Concepts, principles and processes in plant biotechnology. • Applications. Presentation of ongoing research. • Reflexion. The ability of explanation of concepts, principles and usage of the acquired knowledge in biotechnological, pharmaceutical, medical and agricultural applications. • Transmissible skills. Critic usage of literature and other sources, collection and interpretation of data, scientific and technical terminology.