About Book:

           The last 20 years have witnessed a revolution in our understanding of the processes responsible for the maintenance, transmission and expression of genetic information at the molecular level – the very basis of life itself.  Of the many technical advances on which this explosion of knowledge has been based, the ability to remove a specific fragment of DNA from an organism, manipulate it in the test tube, and return it to the same or a different organism must take pride of place.  It is around this essence of recombinant DNA technology, or genetic engineering to give it its more popular title, that the subject of Biotechnology has grown.  Biotechnology seeks to explain the relationships between the structure and function of biological molecules and how these relationships contribute to the operation and control of biochemical processes.  Of principal interest are the macromolecules and macromolecular complexes of DNA, RNA and protein and the processes of replication, transcription and translation.  The new experimental technologies involved in manipulating these molecules are central to Biotechnology.  Not only does it yield fundamental information about the molecules, but it has tremendous practical applications in the development of new and safe products such as therapeutics, vaccines and foodstuffs, and in the diagnosis of genetic disease and in gene therapy.  A simple DNA closing scheme is used to introduce the basic methods.

            The present publication has a logical, understandable format that is unencumbered by unnecessary details and that emphasizes how each concept is an integral part of the whole subject matter.  A didactic writing style is used with emphasis on understanding the basic principles and concepts of Biotechnology.  The text is written in simple and straightforward language, and every effort made to assure smooth reading through good transitions, logical reasoning, and integration of ideas throughout the text.

            Author is specially indebted to his esteemed old friend U.S.Bhargava for his interest and penetrating suggestions in this venture.

            Special and sincerest thanks are also due to Mrs. Meena Pandey, Shri D.P. Pandey, Shri, S.C. Joshi and the staff of M/s. Himalaya Publishing House for their whole hearted cooperation in the publication of this book