Introduction To Biotechnology

1. Visualize the organization, structure, and control of genes.
2. Understand the details of gene expression.
3. Describe posttranscriptional processing, initiation of translation, and posttranslational modifications.
4. Understand the fundamental concepts and techniques for the use of recombinant DNA technology.
5. Describe the contribution biotechnology is making and is likely to make in animal science.
6. Apply acquired skills in the critical evaluation of professional literature or scientific presentations in animal biotechnology.

13 weeks, about 65 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1: History, definitions and concepts in biotechnology

   • Unit 1.1: History and the foundations of modern biotechnology · 3 hours

     Read about the history of biotechnology, focusing on zymotechnology and fermentation.. Understand the definitions of biotechnology from various sources.. Identify key figures like Louis Pasteur and Alexander Fleming and their contributions..

   • Unit 1.2: Scope of Animal Biotechnology · 2 hours

     Explore the scope of animal biotechnology, including tissue culture and recombinant DNA technology.. Understand the applications of biotechnology in improving livestock.. Review Figure 1 to summarize key areas of application..

2. Week 2Module 1: History, definitions and concepts in biotechnology

   • Unit 1.3 Mendelian Genetics · 3 hours

     Study Mendelian genetics, including alleles, homozygotes, heterozygotes, and genotypes.. Understand Mendel's laws of segregation and independent assortment.. Practice Punnett square problems to predict genetic ratios..

   • Unit 1.4: Nucleic Acids · 2 hours

     Learn about the structure and function of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA).. Understand the roles of nucleotides, pyrimidines, and purines.. Study the double helix structure of DNA and the base pairing rules..

3. Week 3Module 2: The Chemical Nature of Genes

   • Unit 2.1 Gene the basis of Inheritance · 3 hours

     Understand the chemical nature of genes and their role in inheritance.. Learn about alleles, homozygous, and heterozygous conditions.. Study the organization of genes within chromosomes..

   • Unit 2.2 DNA replication · 2 hours

     Study the process of DNA replication, including the roles of enzymes like DNA polymerase and ligase.. Understand the concept of semi-conservative replication.. Learn about the leading and lagging strands and Okazaki fragments..

4. Week 4Module 2: The Chemical Nature of Genes

   • Unit 2. 2.3 Transcription · 3 hours

     Learn about transcription, including the roles of mRNA, sense strand, and anti-sense strand.. Understand the process of RNA splicing and the roles of exons and introns.. Study the central dogma of molecular biology..

   • Unit 2.2.4 The genetic code · 2 hours

     Study the genetic code, including codons and their corresponding amino acids.. Understand the roles of mRNA and tRNA in translation.. Learn about start and stop codons..

5. Week 5Module 2: The Chemical Nature of Genes

   • Unit 2.2.5 Translation · 3 hours

     Understand the process of translation and protein synthesis.. Learn about the roles of ribosomes and transfer RNA (tRNA).. Study post-translational modifications of proteins..

   • Unit 2.3 Regulation of gene expression · 2 hours

     Study the regulation of gene expression.. Understand how genes control the synthesis of enzymes and structural proteins.. Learn about the different types of genes and their functions..

6. Week 6Module 2: The Chemical Nature of Genes

   • Unit 2.4 DNA Errors and repairs · 3 hours

     Learn about DNA errors and repair mechanisms.. Understand the causes of DNA damage, including chemical mutagens and radiation.. Study the strand-directed mismatch repair system..

   • Unit 2.5 Mutation: Types, causes and effects · 2 hours

     Study the different types of mutations, including hereditary and acquired mutations.. Understand the causes and effects of mutations on phenotype.. Learn about the role of mutations in evolution..

7. Week 7Module 2: The Chemical Nature of Genes

   • Unit 2.6. Laboratory Exercise on extraction of DNA and RNA from Animal Tissues · 5 hours

     Review the steps involved in DNA extraction from animal tissues.. Understand the purpose of lysis, precipitation, washing, and resuspension.. Learn how to check the quality of extracted DNA using agarose gel electrophoresis..

8. Week 8Module 3: Principles of Recombinant DNA Technology

   • Unit 3.1.1 Recombinant DNA Defined · 5 hours

     Define recombinant DNA (rDNA) and understand its function.. Learn how rDNA works, including the role of expression factors.. Understand the importance of rDNA in various fields like agriculture and medicine..

9. Week 9Module 3: Principles of Recombinant DNA Technology

   • Unit 3.2 Recombination and Cloning of Genes · 5 hours

     Study restriction endonucleases and their role in cutting DNA at specific sites.. Understand the process of gene cloning and its applications.. Learn about the ethical considerations of recombinant DNA technology..

10. Week 10Module 3: Principles of Recombinant DNA Technology

    • Unit 3.3 Transforming E. coli · 5 hours

      Learn about plasmids and their role as vectors in gene cloning.. Understand the process of transforming E. coli with recombinant DNA.. Study examples of recombinant DNA products used in human therapy..

11. Week 11Module 3: Principles of Recombinant DNA Technology

    • Unit 3.4. Molecular tools and techniques · 5 hours

      Study the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique and its applications.. Understand the process of gel electrophoresis and its use in separating DNA fragments.. Learn about restricted fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and DNA probes..

12. Week 12Module 4: Biotechnology Applications in Animal Agriculture

    • Unit 4.1 Reproductive physiology · 5 hours

      Explore the applications of biotechnology in reproductive physiology, including artificial insemination (AI) and embryo transfer (ET).. Understand the benefits and limitations of these techniques.. Learn about transgenic animals and their potential in livestock improvement..

13. Week 13Module 4: Biotechnology Applications in Animal Agriculture

    • Unit 4.3 Animal health · 3 hours

      Study the applications of biotechnology in animal health, including disease diagnosis and vaccine development.. Understand the use of monoclonal antibodies and recombinant DNA technologies.. Learn about the physiology of lactation and growth and the role of recombinant bovine somatotropin (BST)..

    • Unit 4.5 Animal nutrition · 2 hours

      Explore the applications of biotechnology in animal nutrition, including improving digestibility of low-quality forages and removing anti-nutritive factors from feeds.. Understand the role of transgenic rumen microbes in improving rumen function.. Review the environmental concerns and biosafety issues related to animal biotechnology..