Biotechnology is the application of biological organisms, systems, or processes to manufacturing and service industries.
Agricultural biotechnology involves the use of scientific tools and techniques to modify plants, animals, and microorganisms for agricultural improvement.
The term “Biotechnology” was coined by Karl Ereky in 1919.
The father of modern biotechnology is Kary Mullis (inventor of PCR).
Plant tissue culture is the foundation of plant biotechnology.
Totipotency is the ability of a single plant cell to regenerate into a complete plant.
First commercialized transgenic crop was Flavr Savr tomato (USA, 1994).
The first transgenic plant developed was Tobacco (1983).
Agrobacterium tumefaciens is used as a natural vector for gene transfer in dicot plants.
The Ti plasmid (Tumor-inducing plasmid) of Agrobacterium tumefaciens carries the T-DNA region responsible for gene transfer.
Agrobacterium rhizogenes causes hairy root disease and carries Ri plasmid.
Gene gun method or biolistic method is used for gene transfer in monocots like rice and maize.
Somaclonal variation arises due to genetic variation in plants regenerated through tissue culture.
Micropropagation is the rapid clonal propagation of plants through tissue culture.
Callus is an unorganized mass of cells produced in tissue culture.
Embryogenesis is the formation of embryos from somatic cells or tissues in vitro.
Protoplast is a plant cell without a cell wall.
Protoplast fusion results in somatic hybridization.
Cybrids contain the nucleus of one parent and cytoplasm of both.
Synthetic seeds are encapsulated somatic embryos used for sowing.
Cryopreservation means storage of biological materials at very low temperatures (−196°C) in liquid nitrogen.
Somatic embryogenesis helps in large-scale propagation of plants.
DNA was discovered by Frederick Miescher in 1869.
Watson and Crick proposed the double helix model of DNA in 1953.
Gene cloning is the process of making identical copies of a gene.
Restriction enzymes are molecular scissors used to cut DNA at specific sequences.
EcoRI was the first restriction enzyme isolated from Escherichia coli.
Ligase enzyme joins DNA fragments together.
Plasmid acts as a vector for gene transfer in recombinant DNA technology.
PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) was developed by Kary Mullis in 1983.
PCR is used for amplification of specific DNA fragments.
Taq polymerase enzyme used in PCR was isolated from Thermus aquaticus.
Electrophoresis separates DNA fragments based on their size.
Southern blotting is used for DNA detection (developed by E.M. Southern).
Northern blotting is used for RNA detection, and Western blotting for proteins.
ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay) detects specific proteins or antigens.
Gene mapping helps locate specific genes on chromosomes.
Transgenic plants are genetically modified plants carrying foreign genes.
Bt cotton was the first genetically modified crop approved in India (2002).
Bt toxin is produced by Bacillus thuringiensis and provides resistance to insect pests.
The gene responsible for Bt toxin production is cry gene.
Golden Rice is genetically modified to produce beta-carotene (provitamin A).
Terminator technology prevents the germination of harvested seeds.
RNA interference (RNAi) is used for gene silencing in plants.
Flavr Savr tomato was engineered for delayed ripening by silencing polygalacturonase enzyme.
Marker genes (like nptII) are used to identify transformed cells.
Selectable markers provide resistance to antibiotics such as kanamycin.
Molecular markers (RAPD, RFLP, AFLP, SSR) are used for genetic diversity studies.
Cry1Ac gene confers resistance against bollworm in Bt cotton.
Bioinformatics integrates biology, computer science, and information technology to analyze genetic data.
Genetic engineering is the direct manipulation of an organism’s DNA to alter its characteristics.
Recombinant DNA technology (rDNA) involves combining DNA from two different organisms.
The first recombinant DNA molecule was produced by Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer (1973).
Ti plasmid of Agrobacterium tumefaciens is the most common vector used for genetic transformation in plants.
Binary vector system divides Ti plasmid into two plasmids — one for vir genes and another for T-DNA.
Reporter genes like GUS (β-glucuronidase) or GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein) help visualize gene expression.
Selectable marker genes are used to identify successfully transformed cells (e.g., nptII for kanamycin resistance).
DNA ligase enzyme helps in joining DNA fragments to create recombinant DNA.
Transformation is the process of introducing foreign DNA into a cell.
Transduction involves transfer of DNA through bacteriophages.
Conjugation is gene transfer through direct cell-to-cell contact.
Electroporation uses electrical pulses to introduce DNA into cells.
Microinjection involves injecting DNA directly into the nucleus of a cell.
Liposome-mediated gene transfer uses lipid vesicles to deliver DNA.
Biolistics or gene gun method is used to shoot DNA-coated gold particles into plant cells.
CRISPR-Cas9 is a modern genome editing tool discovered by Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier (2012).
CRISPR-Cas9 enables targeted modification of genes with high precision.
RNAi technology (RNA interference) is used to silence specific genes in plants.
Bt brinjal was developed to resist fruit and shoot borer (Leucinodes orbonalis).
GM papaya (Rainbow papaya) was developed to resist Papaya Ring Spot Virus.
