Cell Biology and Biotechnology
l 
Cytology / Cell Biology
- Study of the structure, types, organelles of the cell, cell division, etc.
l Research Institute dedicated for research on cells :
- National Centre for Cell Science is located in Pune.
- Instem is located in Bengaluru.
l Stem cells are special cells present in the body of multicellular organisms, which give rise to all other types of cells present in the body
l Stem cells are found in umbilical cord, red bone marrow and adipose connective tissue.
l Cell differentiation start on 14th day of conception.
l Osteocytes, hepatocytes, neurons are formed due to differentiation.
l Uses of stem cell.
- Regenerative therapy includes cell therapy in which stem cells are used to replace dead cells in case of conditions like diabetes, myocardial infarction, Alzeheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
- It is also used to produce blood cells in conditions like anemia, thalassaemia and leukemia.
- Organ transplantation : organs like kidney, liver can be produced with the help of stem cells and transplantation takes place only when there is a donor available.
- Various factors like blood group, diseases and disorders, age etc are first considered during transplantation.
l Some organs can be donated during life time and some can be donated after death (posthumous).
l Body and organ donation can save life of needy individuals.
l Biotechnology is bringing artificial genetic changes and hybridization in organisms for human welfare.
l Biotechnology includes following areas: Use of microbes for Yoghurt formation from milk and alcohol from
molasses.
- Production of antibiotics and vaccines with help of specific cells.
- Use of Bio - molecules like DNA and proteins in human welfare.
- Gene manipulation helps in development of desired plant, animals and products.
- Genetically modified bacteria is used for production of human growth hormone .
- Use of genetic and non - genetic technique for tissue culture and production of hybrid seeds.
l Benefits of Biotechnology
- Increase in per hectare yield of crop-land has become possible.
- Expenses on disease control have minimized since development of resistant varieties.
- Development of fast fruit setting varieties and their yield per annum.
- Development of stress resistant varieties which can withstand variable temperature, water-stress, changing fertility of soil, etc.
l Commercial applications of Biotechnology
- Crop Biotechnology is used in agricultural field to improve yield and variety.
- Hybrid seeds and Genetically modified crops are developments of crop biotechnology.
- Bt Cotton, Golden Rice, Herbicide tolerant plants and Biofertilizers are examples of development in crop biotechnology.
l Biotechnology has made advances in Animal husbandry. Two main methods as artificial insemination and
embryo transfer have helped to improve both quantity and quality of animal products.
l Biotechnology helps in diagnosis and treatment of diseases at an early stage. Various vaccines and
antibiotics are produced.
- Traditionally vaccines were prepared with help of pathogens which were completely or partially killed.
Due to this, there were chances of infection.
- Therefore, artificial vaccines were produced by using antigen with the help of gene isolated from the
pathogen and sometimes proteins were used which acted as antigen.
- Vaccines produced with the help of biotechnology are more thermostable and remain active for longer duration.
- Edible Vaccines are in progress and presently potatoes are being produced with help of biotechnology.
They are called as Transgenic Potatoes.
- Consumption of these potatoes generates immunity against bacteria like Vibrio cholerae and Escherichia coli and disease caused by them.
- Biotechnology is useful in production of hormones like insulin, somatotropin and blood clotting
factors.
- Interferon, a small sized protein molecule is used in treatment of viral diseases.
- Gene therapy which is used to treat genetic disorders in somatic cells has become possible due to biotechnology.
- Cloning: Production of replica of any cell or organ or entire organism. It has been possible due to development in biotechnology.
- Reproductive cloning and therapeutic cloning are the processes used for cloning.
l Various industrial chemicals can be produced through less expensive processes. e.g. Alcohol production from sugar molasses.
l Biotechnology has helped to solve environment related problems. e.g. Microbial decomposition of waste.
l Bio-remediation, biopesticides, biofertilizers etc. are the new concepts in biotechnology.
l Food items like bread, cheese, wine, beer, yoghurt are oldest items produced with the help of biotechnology.
l DNA fingerprinting is one of the most important developments in biotechnology which has found application in Forensic Science.
l All the research work is done in Centre for DNA fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad.
l Green Revolution is an important stage in agricultural development.
l Dr. Norman Borlaug (USA) and Dr. M.S. Swaminathan (India) have valuable contribution in green Revolution.
l White Revolution was led by Dr. Verghese Kurien in various parts of India which were rich in milk and milk products.
l Government launched Nil-Kranti Mission in 2016 to promote pisciculture. This was termed as Blue Revolution.
l Organic manure and chemical fertilizers are used as fertilizers
l Use of insectides should be reduced as they enter food-web through nature and food and its bio-
magnification occurs.
l DDT, malathion and chloropyriphos have been proved dangerous.
l Organic farming and organic products are available now which can prevent the harmful effects of fertilizers.
l Apiculture is culturing of bee for honey and wax.
l India, has a great tradition of ayurveda that cures many diseases. Therefore, medicinal plants are cultivated.
l Fruits are perishable agro-products : They can be preserved by cold storage, drying, salting, air tight packaging, preparing murabba and evaporating.
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