Course No.: BBT 151
Course title: Environmental Biotechnology
Number of credits: 3 (2.25-0-0.75)
No. of lectures-tutorial-practical: 32-0-20
Course coordinator: Dr Anandita Singh
Course outline
The present course seeks to bring about a conceptual understanding on key issues related to Environmental Biotechnology. The major focus will be on the impact of microbial and agriculture biotechnology on environment. The course has been structured as two distinct modules. The first module aims to create awareness about the role that microbial biotechnology promises to play in relation to bioremediation. The relevant topics include introduction to basic microbiology, principles of microbial genetics and molecular biology. The course will provide an in-depth knowledge on aspects of biotransformation and bio-degradation of specific pollutants, removal of pollutants from the environments and bioremediation of polluted lands or water bodies. The second module is intended to provide an exposure to diverse biotechnological practices for sustainable agriculture. An introduction to plant genetic transformation will be provided to highlight both the positive and negative impact of transgenic technology on environment. The students will be sensitized to the environmental biosafety issues related to GMOs, the regulatory issues including the regulatory framework of India. Socio-economic and ethical aspects of releasing GMOs in the market will also be covered. The course will also sensitize the students to how biotechnology and various molecular biology techniques address the issues pertaining to management of germplasm resources for conservation. The aim of the course will be both to understand the basic concepts in environmental biotechnology as well as application of biotechnology for addressing environmental problems.
Evaluation procedure
§ Class discussion and Practicals : 15 %
§ Tutorials/assignment : 15 %
§ 2 minor tests : 30% (15% each)
§ 1 major test (end semester) : 40%
Details of course content & allotted time
S.No / Topic / Allotted time (hours) /Lecture / Tutorials / Practicals /
Module 1 / Microbiology, Biotransformation and Biodegradation
Introduction to microbiology and its applications, Prokaryotic cell structure and function, Microbial genetics: Recombinomics, genes and their organization, genetic code, gene expression and regulation. / 4
Techniques of isolation, enrichment, purification and characterization of microbes, Methods for identification of microbes biochemical test, FAME analysis, 16s rDNA sequence, pyrolysis mass spectroscopy techniques of preservation of microbes. / 3
Current issues in environmental pollution and environmental protection: Bioremediation of industrial solid and liquid wastes and its mitigation, Biodegradation properties, Detoxification of metals by microbes, Biodegradation of oil sludge / 3
Methods in determining biodegradability, Use of microbes in biodegradation and biotransformation of pollutants / 2
Monitoring of bioremediation, Bioindicators and biosensors for environmental monitoring, Recovery of natural resources (oil recovery, biobleaching) / 2
Practical:
Culture methods, selective and differential media, media preparation. Pure culture, culture handling and preservation. / 7
Isolation, purification and characterization of microbes, microscopy and staining / 7
Module 2
/ Biotechnology for sustainable agriculture and conservation of genetic resourcesTransgenic plants for sustainable agriculture: Imparting tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses, Herbicide tolerant transgenics, Phytoremediation and Nutritional enhancement / 2
Principles of plant genetic transformation (Tools, techniques and methodologies) / 1
Impact of modern biotechnology on biodiversity and environment: Lateral gene flow, Relevance of Biosafety and Biotech Regulations, Regulatory Framework of India / 4
Socio-economic and ethical issues concerning GMOs in agriculture and industry: IPRs and best business practices in Agbiotech research, Case studies / 3
Biotechnology for germplasm conservation and management of PGRs: PGRs as a source of novel genetic variation, introduction to molecular markers, DNA fingerprinting for assessment of genetic diversity and germplasm management / 4
Integrated Plant Nutrient Management (Soil Microbiology: Bio fertilizers and for sustainable soil health and crop productivity) inorganic, organic fertilizers) / 2
Integrated Pest Management: Concepts, Definitions, Approaches and Relevance / 2
Practical:
Introduction to basic plant molecular biology techniques: PCR technique for GM detection, ISSR fingerprints, Agarose gel electrophoresis and visualization on ethidium bromide staining / 6
Field trip to NBPGR: Principles of in-situ and ex-situ conservation and management of plant genetic resources / 0
Total / 32 / 20
Basic textbooks
1. Manual of Environmental Microbiology (2nd edition) Editors: Hurst CJ, Crawford RL, Knudsen GR, MchInerney MJ, Stetzenbach LD (2002) ASM Press
2. Bioremediation of contaminated soil. Editors: Wise DW, Trantolo DJ, Cichon EJ, Inyang HI, Stottmeister U (2000) Press
3. Manual of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology (2nd Edition) Editors: Demain AL and Davies JE, Atlas RM, Cohen G, Hershberger CL, Wei-Shou Hu,. Sherman DH, Willson RC and David Wu JH (Year) Press
4. Principles of Biochemistry (3rd edition) Authors: Nelson and Cox (2003) Lehninger, Macmillan press
5. Applied plant biotechnology. Authors: Chopra VL, Malik VS and Bhat SR (1999) Oxford University Press
6. Environmental pollution and control (4th edition) Authors: Peirce, Weiner and Vesilind (1998) Butterworth-Heinemann
7. Biotechnology and safety Assessment (2nd edition) Authors: Thomas (1999) Replika Press Pvt. Ltd.
8. Environmental microbiology. Authors: Varnam and Evans (2000) ASM press
9. Practical Applications of Plant Molecular Biology. Authors: Henry RJ (1997) Chapman & Hall
10. DNA fingerprinting in Plants and Fungi. Authors: Weising K, Nybom H, Wolff K and Meyer W (1995) CRC Press, Boca Raton
11. Core Collections of Plant Genetic Resources. Authors: Hodgkin T, Brown AHD, Hintum Th. J.L. van and Morales EAV (1995) John Wiley & Sons
12. Principles of Genetic Manipulation (6th Edition) Authors: Primrose SB, Twyman RM and Old RW (2001) Blackwell Science Ltd, MA 02148-5020, USA
13. Plant, Genes and Crop Biotechnology (2nd Edition) Authors: Chrispeels MJ, Sadava DE (2003) Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Inc. London, UK
14. The biology of microorganisms (8th edition) Authors: Brock TD, Madigan MT, Martinko JM and Parker J (1994) 909 Prentice Hall
Other suggested readings
1. Soil Microbiology, DJ Bhagyaraj
2. Soil Microbiolgy, RR Misra
3. Advances in Agriculture Microbiology, NSS Rao
4. Soilreclamationprocesses:Microbiologicalanalysesandapplications, RL Tade and AK Donald
5. Microbiology by L M Prescott, J H Harley and D A Klein
6. An Introduction to Microbiology by Barry
7. Biochemistry and molecular biology of plants. Authors: Buchanan BB, Gruissem W and Jones RL (2000), American Society of Plant Physiologists
8. Introductory Plant Biology. Stern KR (1997) WM Brown publishers
9. Useful Web sites/notes/handouts (to be provided by instructors)