Post Graduate in Animal Biotechnology

The study of animal cells has helped us gain an insight not only in the structure
and function of cells and tissues but also in different physiological, biochemical and
immunological processes. Biotechnologists explore and develop new technologies using
molecular biology, embryo manipulation and cell and tissue culture. Research on gene
regulation and early embryo development has resulted in novel techniques to manipulate
and explore the genomes of domestic animals for ways to increase healthier food
production as well as to develop biomedical applications.
Objective: The major objective is to provide a world-class training experience for these
students in an interdisciplinary research program connecting animal genomics with
animal reproduction and biotechnology.
Goal: This paper will help students interested in careers as laboratory, research or animal
care technicians in the fields of veterinary and human health or biotechnology .
UNIT I
Structure and organization of Animal cells - Culture media; Balanced salt solutions and
simple growth medium, Physical, chemical and metabolic functions of different
constituents of culture medium; Role of carbon dioxide, serum, growth factors, glutamine
in cell culture; Serum and protein free defined media and their applications.
UNIT II
Types of cell culture: primary and established culture; organ culture; tissue culture; three
dimensional culture and tissue engineering; feeder layers; disaggregation of tissue and
primary cell culture; cell separation; cell synchronization; cryopreservation.
Biology and characterization of cultured cells: tissue typing; cell-cell interaction;
measuring parameters of growth; measurement of cell death; Apoptosis and its
determination; cytotoxicity assays - application of animal cell culture - Engineered cell
culture as source of valuable products and protein production
UNIT III
Molecular techniques in cell culture: cell transformation; physical, chemical and
biological methods; Viral gene delivery systems: Adenoviruses, ALVs, Bacculoviruses;
manipulation of genes; cell cloning and micro manipulation; hybridoma technology and
its applications; cell fusion methods; gene mapping; vaccine production; gene therapy,
targeting, silencing and knockout. Selectable markers like pSV and pRSV plasmids -
reporter genes.
UNIT IV
Embryology: Collection and preservation of embryos; culturing of embryos;
Gametogenesis and fertilization in animals; types of cleavage pattern; role of maternal
contributions in early embryonic development; genetic regulation of embryonic
development in Drosophila; homeotic genes in development; stem cell culture,
embryonic stem cell and their applications.
UNIT V
Transgenics: Transgenic animal: production and application; transgenic animals as
models for human diseases; transgenic animals in live-stock improvement; expression of
the bovine growth hormone; transgenics in industry; chimera production; Ethical issues
in animal biotechnology.