Found 292 Articles for Biotechnology

Introduction Radio isotopic hybridization techniques have been used for many years for the detection of DNA and RNA fragments from a mixture of molecules. But radio isotopic hybridization techniques are more hazardous as they cause harm to the person in the vicinity by activating cancerous cells and causing harm to the DNA. Therefore, to avoid this problem safer alternatives have been searched and researchers have come up with a comparatively new technique in which enzyme-labeled probes react with the florescent substrate to colored products. Non-Radioactive Hybridization The non-radio isotopic hybridization method helps in the detection of the DNA fragment of ... Read More

Introduction Once Theodosius Dobzhansky quoted that “Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution.” This generalization has been validated by recent progress in Biochemistry and Molecular biology. The remarkable similarity of metabolic pathways and gene sequence across the phyla argues strongly that all modern organisms are derived from a common evolutionary progenitor by a series of small changes, each of which conferred a selective advantage over the other. Evolution by Gene Duplication and Neofunctionalization Sometimes due to mutations duplication takes place which leads to the introduction of a second copy of the whole gene into the chromosome ... Read More

Introduction In prokaryotes, genetic material is transferred from parents to offspring by cell division like binary fission. This type of transmission via cell division is known as vertical transmission. Now there is another type of transmission called horizontal transmission that does not involve cell division, but the transfer of genetic material takes place with the help of three mechanisms namely transformation, transduction, and conjugation. These three mechanisms take place with the help of certain DNA sequences that are capable of encoding proteins and enzymes and these sequences are known as mobile genetic elements. Not only in prokaryotes they are also ... Read More

Introduction Chromosomes are the thin fiber-like structure that forms the most important part of the genetic material and is mostly confined inside the nucleus in eukaryotic cells due to the presence of cell membrane and are scattered in prokaryotic cells. During cell division chromatin condense to form rod-like structures containing centromere and chromatids. Mini chromosomes are thread-like structures similar to chromosomes that contain a centromere, chromatids, telomere, and the origin of replication. But they differ from chromosomes in the fact that they contain a little extra genetic material, and they generally divide on their own. Structure of Mini chromosomes ... Read More

Introduction Those organisms which cannot be seen through the naked eye and need to be viewed with the help of a microscope are called microorganisms. Microbes include bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. The study of these microorganisms and their behavior is called microbiology. Microbial physiology can be defined as the internal and external structure of microorganisms, their functions, the interaction between them, and their response to the immediate environment. It is important to study microbial physiology because of the industrial applications of microorganisms and in scientific research. Microbial physiology involves the study of both aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms. Topics to ... Read More

Introduction Microbial chemistry or microbial biochemistry can be defined as the branch of microbiology that deals with the study of biochemical reactions taking place in microorganisms which help in their growth and development of mechanisms of pathogenesis. This branch encompasses the study of the structure of microbial cells, metabolic reactions, and interaction of various macromolecules which provide detailed skeletal aspects and the basis of function associated with life. Biomolecules Found in Microorganisms Various types of biomolecules constitute the structure of microorganisms. Most of the microorganisms are prokaryotes except fungi which are eukaryotes. Every microbe contains a different component in ... Read More

Introduction Viruses are very minute organisms and are considered a bridge between living and non-living. They are microscopic agents that cause infections in other organisms. Generally, viruses do not have any metabolic machinery of their own to carry out their life processes instead they depend on other organisms called hosts for their survival and multiplication. It is always a debatable issue whether a virus should be considered a living organism or not. A virus that is outside the body of the host is non-living and is called a virion. In this topic, we will be discussing the replication in viruses, ... Read More

Introduction The rearrangement of genetic information within and among DNA molecules encompasses a variety of processes, collectively placed under the heading of genetic recombination. Genetic events fall into three classes- Homologous Genetic Recombination- Involves genetic exchanges between two DNA molecules. Site-specific recombination- Exchange occurs only at a particular DNA sequence. DNA transposition- It is distinct from both other classes in that it usually involves a short segment of the DNA molecule with the remarkable capacity to move from one location in a chromosome to another. Jumping Genes or Transposons Jumping genes are also called transposons. They are named ... Read More

Introduction Extraction and isolation of DNA from animals are comparatively easy as different tissues from different types of species will have rather similar characteristics. But in the case of plants, the extraction of genomic DNA from divergent species is extremely difficult because of the production of various metabolites and biomolecules by them. Also, the biochemistry between different species is considerably different. When it comes to the isolation of DNA from plants two types of plant biomolecules, polyphenols and polysaccharides pose a major problem. These biomolecules interfere with the various steps during the isolation of DNA. Steps Involved in The ... Read More

Introduction Microorganisms are those organisms whose length is in the order of micrometers, they are so small that, they cannot be seen through the naked eye and require a microscope to observe them. Study of the microorganisms is important as they can cause many diseases, but they are equally important as they are involved in some vital processes in nature also nowadays they are used in industries for the synthesis of certain important products and in bioremediation. The microorganisms which are used in industries to produce products useful for mankind on a large scale are called industrially important microorganisms. ... Read More