SYLLABUS

M.Sc. BIOTECHNOLOGY
(SUMMARY)

CHOICEBASED CREDIT SYSTEM (CBCS)

(w. e. f. JUNE 2016)

Re-Accredited Grade 'A' by NAAC

DEPARTMENT OF BIOSCIENCES
SAURASHTRAUNIVERSITY
RAJKOT 360 005
 SAURASHTRA UNIVERSITY
DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE
( M. Sc. in BIOTECHNOLOGY)

AIMS OF THE PROGRAM

The M.Sc. (Biotechnology) program in Biotechnology aims at training students in the areas
of modern Biotechnology. This program offer specialized curriculum in various modules of
Biotechnology such as Bioprocess Technology, Molecular Biotechnology, Food and
Industrial Microbiology and Plant and Animal Biotechnology. The graduates are expected to
carry out both basic and applied research in the areas of Biotechnology having academic
and/or industrial relevance. The students would also be trained to assist industry in
developing and/or solving problems of Biotechnology. In addition, the program also aims at
generating manpower capable of teaching Biotechnology at postgraduate and undergraduate
level.
The above objectives assume significance in the light of the fact the vast Saurashtra region of
Gujarat, has no such program at Masters level to train and develop manpower in the ever-
expanding demand of Biotechnologists in India.

DURATION OF STUDY: The duration of the study for M.Sc. Biotechnology will be of four
semesters spread over two years.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: To be eligible for the admission in the M.Sc. program,

students must have a Bachelor Degree in Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biochemistry,
Zoology and Botany with at least second division.

TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS: Every year 25 students will be given admission as per
rules prescribed by the University. The number of the admitted students may vary as per the
Saurashtra University norms and notifications.
FEES STRUCTURE: The fee structure of the programme will be as per the university
approval for this programme. Its subject to change as per the Saurashtra University norms
and notifications.
EDUCATIONAL STUDY TOUR

The Educational study tour (s) is compulsory and part of the Curriculum to study different
ecosystems, botanical, zoological and microbiological places of interest anywhere in the
country. Since the tour/tours are part of the curriculum, these can be conducted during any or
all of the four semesters. The study tours can be undertaken anywhere within India to meet
the academic demand. The students shall prepare Tour Reports and submit them during the
IV Semester Examination for the evaluation. However, in special cases of the physical and
medical conditions, alternative of the educational tour will be decided and assigned to the
student concerned, by the Staff Council of the Department.
SEMINARS

Presentations of the seminars on relevant topics, mostly from syllabus (oral and / or poster),
is mandatory for the enrolled student. For each seminar, a student will be given marks, which
will be added to the credit.
ATTENDANCE
Admitted students have to attend all the Lectures, Practicals and Seminars. A minimum
prescribed attendance as per the Saurashtra University rules is required to grant a term.
Students whose term is not granted will not be allowed to appear in the examination.
EXAMINATIONS
At the theory examinations, there shall be questions from all the units and all questions are
compulsory. However, any change in the format of the question papers will be adapted as and
when decided by the university. Theory Examinations will be held at the end of each
semester. However, Internal Examinations will be conducted by the Department during the
ongoing Semester and dates of which will be decided by the Staff Council. Students are
required to apply in the prescribed application form for appearing in the Semester- end
Theory Examination along with the necessary examination fees on the date to be notified by
the University. The semester wise distribution of the courses and papers are given below.

SEMESTERWISE DISTRIBUTION OF MARKS:

SEMESTER-I:

4 Papers (100 Marks each*) : 400

1 Combined Practical : 200 600

SEMESTER-II:
4 Papers (100 Marks each*) : 400
1 Combined Practical : 200 600

SEMESTER-III:
4 Papers (100 Marks each*) : 400
1 Combined Practical : 200 600

SEMESTER-IV:
2 Papers (100 Marks each*) : 200
M.Sc. Dissertation : 200
(Thesis: 150 & Viva 50)
Seminar : 100

Tour / Field Work : 100 600

Grand Total : 2400 *70 Theory + 30 Internal

 M.Sc. Biotechnology Syllabus
Choice Based Credit System (CBCS)
(Total 96 Credits)
Course Paper Name Hours/ Weeks Credits
M.Sc. Biotechnology Semester I
BT 101 Microbiology (Core) 04 04
BT 102 Enzyme Technology (Core) 04 04
BT 103 Molecular Biology (Core) 04 04
(Multidisciplinary/ Interdisciplinary)
BT 104 Biochemistry 04 04
BT 105 Combined Practical 15 08
Total 24
M.Sc. Biotechnology Semester II
BT 206 Molecular Cell Biology (Core) 04 04
BT 207 Immunology (Core) 04 04
BT 208 Molecular Biotechnology-I (Core) 04 04
(Multidisciplinary/ Interdisciplinary)
BT 209 Biostatistics and Analytical Techniques 04 04
BT 210 Combined Practicals 15 08
Total 24
M.Sc. Biotechnology Semester III
BT 311 Fermentation Technology (Core) 04 04
BT 312 Molecular Biotechnology-II (Core) 04 04
BT 313 Bioinformatics (Core) 04 04
Elective Course (any one of the following) 04 04
BT 314 Environment Biotechnology (Elective I)
BT 315 Cell Culture (Elective II)
BT 316 Food Biotechnology (Elective III)
BT 317 Combined Practicals 15 08

Total 24
M.Sc. Biotechnology Semester IV
BT 418 Molecular Phylogeny and Extremophiles (Core) 04 04
Elective Course (any one of the following) 04 04
BT 419 Socio Economic Aspects & IPR (Elective I)
BT 420 Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (Elective II)
BT 421 Agricultural Biotechnology (Elective III)

BT 422 Dissertation/ Project 21 12

BT 423 Seminar 04 02
BT 424 Educational Tour/ Field work 02
Total 24
GRAND TOTAL 126 96
 M.Sc. Biotechnology Semester I
(CBCS)
BT 101: MICROBIOLOGY [CORE]
Unit 1: Methods in Microbiology
Sterilization Methods, Pure culture technique, Enrichment techniques
Preservation & Maintenance of culture
Staining & fixation, Bacterial morphology
Growth curve of bacteria, Measurement of microbial growth, The influence of environmental
factors in growth ,Synchronous growth, Continuous growth
Sporulation, Spore germination
Common Nutrient Requirements, Types of media for growth of microorganisms.

Unit 2: Medical Microbiology and epidemiology

Pathogenicity and virulence.
Virulence factors of microorganism.
Epidemiology

Unit 3: Bacterial Genetics

Recombination of bacterial genes, gene targeting
Gene transfer method- Transformation, Conjugation & Transduction
Mutation:- Types , causes & effects of mutation

Unit 4: Viruses & Prions

General Characteristics of viruses
Viruses of Bacteria Lytic & Lysogeny cycle (General features, RNA & DNA viruses)
Viruses of Plants:-General characteristics and classification, Mechanism of infection by TMV
and CMV
Animal viruses:- Overview of Animal viruses,General features of retroviruses and HIV
Prions & Molecular basis of their pathogenecity

Unit 5: Antimicrobial agents

Types of antimicrobial agents
Classes of antibiotics (-lactams, tetracyclins, aminoglycosides, macrolids, Polypeptides
antibiotics & their mode of action)
Antiviral, antifungal, antiprotozoan antibiotics
Development of resistance to antibiotics
 BT 102: ENZYME TECHNOLOGY [MULTI/INTER]

Unit 1: Enzyme General Account

Classification of enzymes and enzyme kinetics of single substrate and two
substrate catalyzed reactions
Factors affecting rate of enzymatic reactions: temperature pH modulators etc and
significance of activation energy and free energy in biochemical reactions.

Unit 2: Enzyme Cofactors and Mechanism of Enzyme Catalysis

Structure and biological function of a variety of enzyme cofactors. Enzyme
substrate complex concept of ES complex binding sites, active site and type of
enzyme specificities.
Acid Base catalysis, Orientation and Proximity, Covalent Catalysis (Electrophilic
and Nucleophilic), Strain and Distortion.
Regulation of enzyme catalysis: Covalent modification, Allosteric regulation
Abzymes and Isozymes

Unit 3: Enzyme immobilization and Biotransformation

Methods and principles, Supporting matrix, advantages, and reactor-design for
immobilization of enzymes.
Biotransformation through enzymes and Microbes
Non-aqueous enzyme technology
Asymmetric catalysis through enzymes

Unit 4: Enzyme technology for industrial application

Applications of enzyme technology in environment
Medical,
Agricultural,
Industrial benefits

BT 103: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY [CORE]

Unit 1: Organization of genetic materials
Various models to explain the structure of the nucleus and chromosomes, Special type
of chromosomes: lamp brush, salivary and B chromosomes.
Packaging of DNA as nucleosomes in eukaryotes, Chromosomal DNA contents and
C-value paradox.
Structural changes in the chromosomes
Multigene families in eukaryotes
Genomic organization in prokaryotes and Archaebacteria
Unit 2: DNA replication and repair
Enzymes & accessory proteins involved in DNA replication
Replication process in prokaryotic & Eukaryotic DNA
Regulations of Eukaryotic replication
DNA Repair:- Types of DNA Repair, Mechanism of DNA Repair

Unit 3: Transcription
Importance of DNA binding Proteins, RNA polymerase
Mechanism of Transcription in prokaryotes & Eukaryotes
Processing of RNA:- m-RNA processing, 5 capping, 3 polyadenylation, splicing
r-RNA & t- RNA processing

Unit 4: Translation
The translation machinery, role of tRNA & ribosome
Mechanism, of translation
Post- translational modification of proteins such as phosphorylation, adenylation, acylation
and glycosylation

Unit 5: Regulation & gene expression in Prokaryotes & eukaryotes

Operon concept (lac operon, trp operon, his operon and arabinose operon), Structural basis of
DNA-Protein interaction
Attenuation & termination
Gene silencing:- DNA methylation,
Chromatin modification & gene expression. Histone acetylation & deacetylation
Environmental regulation of gene expression

BT 104: BIOCHEMISTRY [MULTI / INTER-DISCIPLINARY]

Unit 1: Carbohydrates and Lipids

CARBOHYDRATES: Classification, functions, Monosaccharide, Fischer projection
formula, hemiketal and hemiacetal formation, furanoses, pyranoses, anomers,
epimers, disaccharides-sucrose, lactose, maltose; polysaccharide (homo and
heteropolysaccharides), peptidoglycans, glycoproteins, proteoglycans
LIPIDS: Definition, classification & functions of Lipids. Saturated & unsaturated
fatty acids, Essential Fatty acids, Prostagladins Fat:-Hydrolysis, Saponification Value,
Rancidity of fat, Biological significance Properties & function of Glycerides,
Phospholipids, sphingolipids & glycolipids
Unit 2: Proteins
Structure of all 20 amino acids, Essential & Non essential amino acids
Classification of Proteins based on Function & Solubility
Primary, Secondary, tertiary & Quaternary structure of proteins, Ramchandran Plot
Structure and Function of Fibrous proteins (Keratin, Collagen & Elastin), Globular proteins
(Hemoglobins , Myoglobins), Lipoprotein, Metalloproteins & nucleoproteins

Unit 3: Nucleic acids

Structure of DNA & RNA, Different Conformations of DNA
Denaturation & annealing of DNA Physical properties of DNA such as bending, super coiling
and sequence dependent changes in DNA melting, renaturation properties
Structure & different types of RNA
Structure of genomic and organellar DNA in eukaryotes

Unit 4: Photosynthesis & Nitrogen fixation

Photosynthesis and respiration. Photosynthetic electron transport and respiratory electron
transport and their coupling with energetic.
Biological nitrogen fixation, Biofertilizers, symbiotic and non-symbiotic nitrogen fixation.
Mechanism of protection of nitrogenase from molecular oxygen. Nitrate assimilation

Unit 5: Carbohydrate, Protein and Lipid metabolism

Carbohydrate metabolism: Glycolysis, TCA cycle, HMP shunt, Glyoxylate pathway
and Gluconeogenesis
Protein metabolism: Oxidative deamination and Urea cycle
Lipid metabolism: Oxidation of fatty acids

M.Sc. Biotechnology Semester II

BT 206: MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY [core]

Unit 1: Cell cycle & Cell signaling
Overview of cell cycle & Its control
Components of Cell Cycle control systems
Role of Protein kinase in cell cycle
Check points in Cell Cycle regulation
Molecular basis of signal transduction
Signaling through G-Proteins linked cell surface receptors, Signalling through Enzyme
linked cell surface receptors

Unit 2: Apoptosis
Phenomena of apoptosis,
Factors regulating apoptotic death in normal cells and tumorous cells
Necrosis
Unit 3: Cytoskeleton
Microtubules, cilia, flagella & centrioles, roles of microtubule dynamics in cell division
Microfilaments &cell motility
Intermediate filaments
Actin & Myosin, Functional role of actins filaments and motor proteins.
The cytoskeleton & cell behaviour

Unit 4: Developmental Biology and Cell Differentiation

Establishing multicellularity, formation of blastula, embryonic germ layer,
tracking of migrating cells
Aggregation behaviour in embryonic cells and possible understanding in the
positional information in developing organs.
Events during fertilization, post fertilization, early embryonic development and in-
vitro fertilization.
Roles of different proteins in fertilization

Unit 5: Molecular Biology of Cancer

Characteristics of cancer cells
The genetic basis of cancer, Proto-oncogenes & its regulation
Oncogenes & cancer, Viral oncogenes (Viruses & Cancer)
Techniques used in cancer research (From genomics to proteomics)
Cancer treatment present & future
Regulation of gene expression and signal translocation on cancerous cells vs. normal cells

BT 207: IMMUNOLOGY [CORE]

Unit 1: Molecular cells & organs of Immune system

Historical perspective, Innate Immunity:- Skin, Mucosal Surface, Physiological barrier,
Inflammation, Adaptive Immunity
Molecules of innate & Acquired immune system:- Complement, Interferon, other molecules
Cells of Innate & Acquired Immune system
Organs of the immune system:- Primary Lymphoid organs, Secondary Lymphoid organs,
Lymphatic etc.

Unit 2: Antigens, Antibody & Ag-Ab Interaction

Antigens: - Immunogenicity vs Antigenicity, Factors influencing Immunogenicity,
Adjuvant, Epitopes & Haptens, super antigens, auto antigens
Antibody:- Structure, classes & functions, Allotypes & Idiotypes
Basic principles of Antigen-Antibody Interaction
Immunological techniques: Principles & Applications:Precipitation & agglutination,
Radio Immunoassay, Enzyme linked Immunosorbent Assay etc.
Unit 3: Mechanism of Immune response
Generation of Immunological diversity
Antigen recognition
Lymphocyte development &activation
Lymphocyte interaction, cytokines & lymphoid system

Unit 4: MHC & Transplantation Immunology

MHC:- General organization, MHC molecules & genes
Cell recognition of self & nonself
MHC restriction
Tolerance:- Central Peripheral & acquired tolerance
HLA typing methods using serological and molecular techniques.

Unit 5: The Immune system in Health & Disease

AIDS & other Immunodeficiencies
Autoimmunity & autoimmune diseases
Hypersensitivity
Vaccines:- Principle & types of vaccines, Recent advances in vaccination
Monoclonal & Recombinant antibodies

BT 208: MOLECULAR BIOTECHNOLOGY-I [CORE]

Unit 1: Molecular Tools used in Genetic Engineering

Restriction Endonuclease and Restriction mapping
DNA modifying enzymes:- Nuclease, Polymerase, Enzymes that modify the ends of
DNA molecules, DNA ligase- joining DNA Molecules
Adaptors, Linkers, Homopolymer tailing

Unit 2: Gene cloning vectors

Plasmids, Cosmids, Bacteriophage
Phagemids, BAC,YAC
Shuttle vector, Expression Vector & other Advanced vectors

Unit 3: Cloning Strategies

Genomic libraries, Preparation of DNA fragments for cloning
Positional cloning, chromosome walking, Jumping.
C-DNA Synthesis & cloning
In-vitro phage packaging
Probe preparation (Radiolabelled & non-radiolabelled)
Unit 4: Selection, Screening & analysis of recombinant
Genetic selection of screening methods:- Use of chromatographic substrate, Insertional
inactivation, Complementation of defined mutation
Methods based on nucleic acid homology (Southern, Northern, Western Blotting, Subtractive,
colony & plaque hybridization, chromosomal walk
In-situ chromosomal hybridization
Immunological screening for expressed genome
Microarray Technique

Unit 5: Advanced Techniques.

Nucleic acid Synthesis & Sequencing, Chemical & automated method
Methods of gene regulation in Eukaryotes (Antisense RNA, PNA & RNAi)
Polymerase Chain Reaction
DNA markers:- RFLP, micro-minisatellites, SNPs, RAPDs,AFLP, Linkage analysis,
genotyping & DNA fingerprinting
Applications of genetic engineering

BT 209: BIOSTATISTICS & ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES [MULTI/INTER]

Unit 1: Biostatistical Concepts

Scope of Biostatistics, Samples & population & Sampling techniques, Kinds of variable,
Graphical & diagrammatic representation
Theory of errors, measure of precision, Probable errors of function, rejection of observation
Mean (Arithmetic, Harmonic, & Geometric), Median & Mode.
Measure of dispersion, standard deviation & standard errors
Probability distribution:- Binomial, Poisson & normal distribution
Regression:- Linear, Bivariate & Polynomial regression analysis
Level of significance: F test, T test, chi square & goodness of fit, ANOVA

Unit 2: Radioisotope Techniques and Microscopy

Radioisotopes & half life of isotopes, Units & measurement of radiation, Autoradiography,
Application of radioisotopes in biological study, Interaction of radiation with matter
Light Microscopy: - Bright field, Dark field, Fluorescent Microscopy, Phase contrast
Microscopy
Electron Microscopy :- Transmission, EM & Scanning EM, Flow Cytometry, Atomic force
microcopy

Unit 3: Spectroscopy
Spectroscopic techniques:- Beer Lamberts law, Extinction coefficient, Principles &
applications of visible & U.V. spectroscopic technique
Electromagnetic spectrum, interaction of EM radiation with matter, Physical phenomenon:-
Absorption, Emission, Refraction, Diffraction, Transmission
Absorption & Emission Spectroscopy
 X-ray diffraction & crystallization
CD, ORD, IR & NMR, MALDI-TOF Mass spectroscopy (Matric Assisted Laser Desorption
Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry

Unit 4: Chromatography, Centrifugation and Electrophoresis

Chromatography Theory & Principles
Key terms:- Stationary phase, mobile phase, Retention time, column efficiency, Peak shape,
Rate theory
Types of chromatography, partition, adsorption, Ion exchange, size exclusion, affinity, Paper
chromatography, Hydrophobic chromatography, GC,GLC, HPLC
Centrifugation: - Sedimentation, Relative centrifugal force, preparative and analytical
centrifuge.
Basic Principles of electrophoresis, Agarose electrophoresis, PAGE, SDS PAGE, 2D PAGE,
Isoelectric focusing

M.Sc. Biotechnology Semester III

BT 311: FERMENTATION TECHNOLOGY [CORE-I]
Unit 1: Basics of Industrial fermentation and Sterilization of air, media &equipments
Medium formation & Raw material
Isolation and screening of industrially useful microorganisms
Strain Improvement
Methods of measuring process variation
Control system
Computer application in fermentation technology

Unit 2: Design of fermenter

Various Design and types of fermentors & Bioreactor
Aeration and agitation, oxygen transfer rate, heat control
Batch, fed-batch and continuous culture operations
Starter culture, its importance and preparation
Mass transfer bioprocess
Scale up bioprocess

Unit 3: Product Recovery & Purification (Downstream Processing)

Extraction and separation techniques; Cell disruption disintegration, Flocculation &
Floatation, Filtration, Centrifugation, Distillation
Enrichment of product by: Thermal process, Membrane filtration and dialysis, Freeze
concentration, Chromatographic methods, Purification: Crystallization and drying
Bioassay and fermentation economics
Unit 4: Industrial production of chemicals
Alcohol Fermentation
Organic acids ( Gluconic acid & Citric acid )
Vitamins (Vit. B12 )
Amino acids ( Lysine & Glutamic acid )
Single cell protein
Antibiotics (Penicillin & streptomycin)
Enzyme (Amylase, Protease & lipase)

Unit 5: Food Technology

Food Spoilage & Preservation
Methods of Food Processing
Designer Foods, Nutraceuticals & Genetically Modified Foods

BT 312: MOLECULAR BIOTECHNOLOGY-II [CORE-II]

UNIT 1: Proteomics techniques

Techniques used in gene detection and expression studies: Southern hybridization,

Northern hybridization, western hybridization, PCR and RT-PCR
Peptide sequencing and synthesis: principles and strategies for protein sequencing.
Design of primers from ammo acids sequences.

UNIT 2: DNA- protein interaction techniques

Gel mobility shift assay, DNA-protein cross-linking assay, Dnase I foot printing
and Sl nuclease mapping.
Protein- protein interactions: chemical cross-linking. Yeast-2-hybid, Yeast-3-
hybid and their various versions. Principles and applications.

UNIT 3: Reporter genes

Chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (cat), neomycin phosphoryl transferase II
(nptII), Luciferase, - galactosidese etc. and their applications in expression
kinetics and promoter probing studies.

UNIT 4: Protein folding

Protein folding and the roles of Molecular chaperones

Mechanism and relevance to biotechnology
Assisted protein folding , In-vitro protein folding
UNIT 5: Protein engineering and drugs design

Rational of protein engineering,

Methods and approaches: directed Evolution and gene shuffling, random
mutagenesis and selection of engineered proteins, gene modification at specific
sites, synthesis of complete gene. Engineering by gene fusion.
 Drug design and various approaches: by blocking enzyme activity, Inhibitor for
Dihydroxyfolate reducase (DHFR), Renin. HIV reverse transcriptase etc Drug
design by blocking hormone receptors, propanolol for norepinephrine and
epinephrine etc, and drug design by inhibiting nucleic acid synthesis using
antisense RNA technology.

BT 313: BIOINFORMATICS [CORE-III]

Unit 1: Computational approach
Introduction to operating system and Basics of computer.
Use of computer networking - LAN, WAN, MODEM, Fibre Optics Network.
Introduction to Internet. WWW, NICNET, ERNET VSNL. ISDN ETC.
Introduction to artificial intelligence and neural networks.
Current perspective & Emergence of Bioinformatics
Commercial use of Bioinformatics

Unit 2: Biological databases

Primary & secondary database
Database searching
Database Management:- Sequence Retrieval system (SRS)

Unit 3: Data mining and Sequence Alignment (Primer Designing)

Data mining & Data warehouse, Machine Learning methods, Data mining tools &
techniques,
Pair wise sequence Alignments, Global & Local Alignments, Multiple Sequence
Alignments, Gaps & scoring matrices, Homology, orthology, Analogy & Paralogy
Primer designing

Unit 4: Gene Prediction & Genome analysis

Reliability of ORF Prediction
Methods for Gene prediction in microbial genomics & in eukaryotes
Evaluation of gene prediction
Comparative genomics
Functional Genomics
Microarray methods & its applications in genome analysis

Unit 5: Protein structure prediction

Terms used for classifying protein structure & sequences
Alignment of protein structures
Structural prediction and its evaluation
Structural modeling
 BT 314: ENVIRONMENTAL BIOTECHNOLOGY [ELECTIVE I]

Unit 1: Environmental impact and Biosensors

Reducing environmental impact of industrial effluents Toxic site reclamation,
removal of spilled oil and grease deposits. Microbial degradation of textile dyes,
timber petroleum products, leather plastics and food product
Biosensors, recent approaches and applications

Unit 2: Bio fertilizers

Use of mycorrhizae in reforestation and aforestation
Biofertilizers and biopesticides
Role of Dienococcus sp. in bioremediation of radioactive waste. Molecular
mechanisms of radiation resistant

Unit 3: Environment and energy

Renewable source of energy: Biomass production and Biogas production. Generation
of energy and fuel using microorganisms (Hydrogen production and Methane
production)
Brief account of alternative energy source: Biofuel etc.
Conservation of energy: Global Warming and carbon credit
Heavy metals and its effect on microbes and higher organisms

Unit 4: Biodiversity
Biodiversity & species concept
Benefits from Biodiversity
Factors threatening Biodiversity
Endangered species management & Biodiversity protection

BT 315: CELL CULTURE [ELECTIVE II]

Unit 1: Plant Biotechnology

Culture media: - constituents and concepts of sterilization, Preparation, isolation and
selection of explant, Concepts of totipotency.
Suspension cell culture, Callus culture, Protoplast Isolation, culture & fusion.
Anther & pollen culture for production, Somatic embryogenesis, Synthetic seeds.
Germplasm Conservation: Improvement, exploitation and conservation of plant genetic
resources.
Unit 2: Animal Biotechnology
Equipments & media used for Animal cell culture technology, Primary & established cell line
culture and culture media
Applications of animal cell cultures
Serum protein media viability and cytotoxicity, Basic techniques of mammalian cell culture
Cryopreservation and transshipment of animal tissue and cell line
Unit 3: Stem cells
Erythrogenesis, Chondrogenesis,. Cell cycle analysis, cells synchronization, cells
separation, cells transformation in vitro, cells locomotion and cell cloning
Different types of stem cell Characteristics of stem cells. The methods for stem cells
differentiations. Potential of stem cell research in treatment of different genetic,
infectious diseases and drug targeting
Gene therapy and its application

Unit 4: Transgenics
Objectives of transgenics
Methods of gene transfer in plants and animals
Expression of transgene in higher plants and animals for producing value based
products
Application of transgenic plants and animals: Recombinant product produced through
transgene viz. Edible Vaccine, Recombinant proteins, Hormone production etc.

BT 316: FOOD BIOTECHNOLOGY [Elective-III]

Unit 1
Starter cultures and their biochemical activities; production of alcoholic beverages;
production of Single cell protein and Bakers yeast; Mushroom cultivation
Food and dairy products: Cheese, bread and yogurt.
Fermented vegetables Saurkraut; Fermented Meat Sausages

Unit 2
Novel microorganisms eg. LAB (Probiotics), Cyanobacteria, methylotrophs enzyme
biotransformations
Role of Plant tissue culture for improvement of food additives; color and flavor
Genetic modifications of microorganisms; detection and rapid diagnosis
Genetically modified foods and crop

Unit 3
Food borne infections and intoxications; with examples of infective and toxic types
Clostridium, Salmonella, Staphylococcus
Mycotoxins in food with reference to Aspergillus species
Food preservation: canning, dehydration, ultrafiltration, sterilization, irradiation
Chemical and naturally occurring antimicrobials; Biosensors in food industry

Unit 4
Quality assurance: Microbiological quality standards of food
Intellectual property rights and animal welfare
Government regulatory practices and policies. FDA, EPA, HACCP, ISI
Risk analysis; consumer and industry perceptions
 M.Sc. Biotechnology Semester IV
BT 418: MOLECULAR PHYLOGENY AND EXTREMOPHILES [CORE]

Unit 1: Microbial evolution and phylogeny

Molecular basis of microbial classification,
Chronometers and chronological distances,
Paradox in establishing Evolutionary distances.

Unit 2: Non-cultivable microbes

Cultivable vs. non-cultivable microbes, Genetic heterogeneity among non-
cultivable, Metabolic potential of non-cultivable microbes, Evolutionary and
biotechnological significance of non-cultivable microbes
Molecular methods for studying non-cultivable microbes: Isolation of nucleic
acids and analyses of microbial diversity, In-situ hybridization, Methods of 16S
rRNA analysis

Unit 3: Archaebacteria:
Archaebacteria - distinguishing features, Phylogenetic groups of Archaebacteria,
Ecology and habitats of Archaebacteria, Physiology of Archaebacteria

Unit 4: Life at Extremities:

Life at hyper-extremities: hyperthermophilic Archaebacteria and bacteria, Life at
hyper salinity, other forms of extremophiles
Gene expression in hyperthermophilic bacteria and archaea, Genome analysis
from extremophiles
Protein stability in hyper-extremophiles

Unit 5: Biotechnology and Extremophiles:

Hyper-extremophiles and their novel metabolic machinery and biomolecules-
future unique applications

BT 419: SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS & IPR [ELECTIVE-1]

UNIT 1:
Steps to preserve biodiversity. In situ and Ex Situ conservation - Gene banks, In-
situ and Ex situ conservation. Ex situ conservation efforts at international level,
Ex-situ conservation by G-15 countries, Europe, India.
Conservation efforts by private sectors, management of germplasm collection.
Species conservations.
UNIT 2:
Biosafety and Societal Concern: Public debate and concern on Genetically modified
microorganisms, plants and animals, scientific analyses of the concern, Biosafety
regulation and guidelines on developing and using the Genetically modified
organisms, radiation safety.

UNIT 3:
Intellectual property, Intellectual property rights (IPR) (Patents, trade secret, copy
right, trade marks), Choice of intellectual property protection (IPP). IPR and plant
genetic resources (PGR).

UNIT 4:
Patenting of Biological Materials: International conventions. International cooperation
obligations with patent applications, implications of patenting, current issues: Can live
form be patented-? with special reference to Factor VIII, Erythropoitin, tissue
plasminogen, activator, hybridoma technology etc.
Patenting of higher plants and animals: Transgenic organisms and isolated genes.
Patenting of genes and DNA sequences, plant breeder's rights and farmer's right.

BT 420: PHARMACEUTICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY [Elective II]

Unit 1: Structural and functional genomics

Structural and functional organization of the human genome.
Physical mapping and linkage analysis, Identification of the disease linked genes and
markers, positional cloning, isolation of the disease responsible genes and their
characterization.
Global genome functional variations: assessment by microarrays (cDNA and Oligo
microarrays), 2D protein gel electrophorosis, MALDI.
Functional analysis of human genome for studying the diseases and drug functionality
and drug side effects (by microarray and 2D gel electrophoresis).

Unit 2: AIDS
History of HIV, types, Life cycle to the HIV
Genome variations among the HIV strains
Key aspects for the drug designing targets.

Unit 3: Pharmacogenomics and molecular diagnostics

Importance and types of drug metabolizing enzymes
Variations in the drug metabolizing genes their effects, Individualized medicine and
their application in the drug dosage and treatment in cancer.
 Principles and application of the molecular diagnosis via protein, DNA and other bio-
molecular detections.
Unit 4: Antibiotics and Pharmacokinetics
Antimicrobial agents
Vaccines
Modern approaches in Vaccination

BT 421: AGRICULTURE BIOTECHNOLOGY [Elective III]

UNIT 1: Taxonomy and physiology

Classification of plant kingdom (Bentham and Hooker)
Absorption of water, mineral nutrition, transpiration, phytohormones

UNIT 2: Molecular Biology of Stress Tolerance in Plants

Basic plant physiology and regulation
Water Stress, salt stress, High Temperature Stress, Freezing Stress, Systems Biology to Study Cold
Tolerance, Nutrient Stress, Heavy Metal Stress

UNIT 3: Genetic Transformation of Plants

Agrobacterium mediated and biolistics-basic principles and applications, Ti plasmids, binary
vectors, transformation hosts, Selection markers, Reporter genes, promoters
Mechanism of transformation
Screening of the transgenic plants and heterologous gene expression

UNIT 4: Molecular farming: (Reported examples)

Transgenic crop with Heat shock proteins, Ion/proton transporters, Reactive oxygen scavenger,
Transcription and factors
Transgenetic plants with pathogenetic resistance protein
Plant-derived recombinant therapeutic protein, plant-derived recombinant antibody, vaccine
candidate hepatitis B virus surface antigen in tobacco, plant-derived industrial enzyme, amylase in
tobacco, Secretory IgA produced in tobacco.
 M.Sc. Biotechnology (PRACTICALS)
Semester I

MODULE I: Microbiology
1. Isolation & maintenance of organism by plating, streaking & serial isolation methods
slants & stab culture, storage of microorganism
2. Microscopic observation - Gram staining, Capsule & Spore Staining
3. Growth cure Diauxic
4. Effect of Physicochemical Factors on Growth of Bacteria: Salt, Temp, pH
5. Viable count of bacteria from soil sample (Dilution Plating Method)
6. Biochemical characterization of selected Microbes
7. Isolation of bacteriophages from sewage sample
8. Enrichment and Isolation of:
a) Halophiles b) Acidophiles c) Phenol Degraders
d) Nitrogen Fixers e) Antibiotic Producers f) Kojic Acid Producers
9. Effect of Antibiotics on various Gram Positive and Gram Negative bacteria (Antibiotic
sensitivity of bacteria)
10. Determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal
Concentration (MBC) of various Antibiotics on different Organisms
11. Isolation of auxotrophic mutant by 5 BrU mutagenesis
12. Bacterial Conjunction
13. Physical mapping with interrupted conjugation techniques (By Problem solving
approach)
14. Bacterial Transformation

MODULE II: Enzymology

1. Enzyme assay: Amylase/Protease/Xylanase/Cellulase
2. Enzyme Kinetics: Determination of Km &Vmax,
3. Effect of Physical parameters on enzyme: pH, Temperature on Amylase/Alkaline
phosphatase /protease/cellulose
4. Effect of chemicals on enzyme: Inhibitors, Chelators, Solvents on Amylase/Alkaline
phosphatase/protease/cellulose.
5. Alkaline Phosphatase i.e, a) Competitive Inhibition (NaH, PNP) b) Uncompetitive
Inhibition (L Phenylalanine)

MODULE III: Molecular Biology

1. Isolation of Genomic DNA from bacterial cell / plant cell

2. Isolation of RNA from Yeast cells
3. Isolation of Plasmid DNA
4. Determination of Tm values of DNA
5. Blotting techniques: Western and Southern
6. Plasmid Curing by Acridine Orange (Shift to sem I)
 MODULE IV: Biochemistry
1. Method of Protein Estimation
i) Estimation of Protein by Biuret methods
ii) Estimation of Protein by Folin Lowry methods
iii) Estimation of Protein by Bradford method
iv) Estimation of Protein by UV Absorption.

2. Method of Carbohydrate Estimation

i) Estimation of reducing sugar by DNSA method.
ii) Estimation of Carbohydrate by Nelson-somogys method
iii) Estimation of Carbohydrate by GOD/POD method.
iv) Estimation of Carbohydrate by Phenol Sulphuric acid method.
v) Estimation of Carbohydrate by Anthrones method

3. Nucleic acid Estimation

i) Estimation of DNA by DPA method
ii) Estimation of RNA by orcinol method /modified orcinol
iii) Estimation of Nucleic acid by UV Absorption method
iv)Estimation of total lipids in seeds
4. Analysis of oils, iodine numbers, saponification value, acid number
5. Separation of plant pigments by paper chromatography (Shift in Sem II parcticals)
6. Separation of Amino acids by thin layer chromatography (Shift in Sem II parcticals)

SEMESTER-II

MODULE V: Molecular Cell Biology

1. NESTROF (Naked Eye Single Tube Red Cell Osmotic Fragility Test) - Screening Test For
-Thalassemia Trait
2. Study of various stages of mitosis from onion root tip cells.
3. Effect of colchicines on the DNA content of cell.
4. Study of different stages of meiosis in flower bud of Tradenscantia sp.
5. Localization of protein by mercuric bromophenol blue.
6. Localization of lipid by Sudan black B.
7. Study of Karyotyping.
8. Study of permanent slides of the chick embryo.
9. Staining of Golgi appartus using Neutral Red stain.
10. Staining of mitochondria in human cheek epithelial cells.

MODULE VI: Immunology

1. Total count of RBC & WBC differential count & Blood grouping
2. Western Blotting
3. Single Radial Immunology Diffusion
4. Octerlony Double diffusion
5. WIDAL test
6. VDRL test
7. ELISA
8. Generation of primary antibody by using mice as model organism.

MODULE VII: Metagenomics and Molecular Phylogeny

1. Isolation of soil metagenome
2. Restriction Digestion of DNA using three Restriction Endonuclease enzymes:
a) EcoR V b) Hind III c) BamH I
3. Accessing population diversity by 16S rDNA analysis
4. Isolation of Lambda phage DNA
5. PCR:
Basic PCR
Nested PCR
Multiplex PCR
RAPD
RFLP

SEMESTER III
MODULE VIII: Fermentation technology

1. Primary screening of amylase, protease, lipase and cellulase producing

microorganisms.
2. To study the submerged fermentation for enzyme production (lab scale).
3. To study alcohol tolerance of given culture of yeast.
4. To study sugar tolerance of given culture of yeast.
5. To demonstrate the production of alcohol by yeast and the quantification of alcohol
produced in the fermentation broth
6. Comparative studies of ethanol production using different substrates
7. To estimate alcohol present in the given sample by potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7)
method.
8. To estimate the potency of antibiotic streptomycin in the given sample by bioassay
technique
9. To carry out fermentation of Ca-gluconate using Aspergillusniger.
10. To prepare a standard curve of Ca-gluconate

MODULE IX: Food Biotechnology

1. Milk analysis: Methylene blue reduction test (MBRT), Resazurin reduction test
(RRT), Acid fast staining
2. Food analysis: Standard Plate Count (SPC)
3. Water analysis: IMViC test
4. Isolation of probiotics organisms from various samples

MODULE X: Protein Purification

1. Protein Purification of different proteins/enzymes:
Gel Filtration Chromatography,
Ion Exchange Chromatography
2. SDS PAGE
3. Native PAGE
4. Silver staining technique
 5. Induction of Protein synthesis in E.coli cells.
6. Protein Folding Studies.

MODULE XI: Bioinformatics

1. Use of NCBI Bioinformatics tools

(a) Pubmed (b) OMIM (c) Taxonomy (d) Protein analysis (e) Genes and Diseases
2. Use of Expasy tools
3. FASTA and sequence formats
4. BLAST
5. Alingments- pair wise and global
6. Construction of dendogram
7. Prediction of ORF/Gene prediction
8. Protein visualization (RASMOL, SPDB VIEWER, PROTEIN EXPLORER)
9. Protein modeling- Homology modeling and Acvitve site prediction
10. Primer Designing

SEMESTER - IV

BT-422: DISSERTATION

BT-423: SEMINAR

BT-424: EDUCATIONAL TOUR / FIELD WORK