A REVOLUTION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY

John Kendrew

President, International Council of Scientific Unions

Biotechnology is certainly an important topic. In the last few years it has initiated a transformation of many parts of the chemical industry, of agriculture and of medicine
-a transformation that has emerged from the Laboratory into practical application with
quite remarkable speed. There has certainly been a revolution in the techniques and
practice of Biotechnology, but biotechnology is not new.

One of the oldest industries in the World, the brewing of beer, depends on a typical
biotechnology process. The breeding of domesticated animals is biotechnology too;
if we accept the usual definition of biotechnology as the exploitation- or destination,
depending on the point of view – of other living organism for the benefit of man. The
other living organism for the benefit ofman. The other organism may be a large mammal
like the cow or pig; a plant, such as wheat or the potato, microorganism like the yeast used in brewing beer; or a bacterium, as many of the process described in books.

THE PROBELM OF AGEING

M.S.Kanungo

Department of Zoology, BanarasHinduUniversity

The average life span of man greatly increased since the beginning of this century due to
advancements in Biological and Medical Sciences. At the time of independence the average life span of Indians was around 30. Now it is about 56. In U.S.A it was 40 at the
beginning of 20th century, but now it is 75. This is largely due to control of infectious
diseases and better healthcare measures. The result is a staggering increase in the numberof old people overage 60. In USA,Japan, Sweden and other developed nations where of
people over 65 is about 12%. They are physically disabled and need care. A sizeable number of them are housed in homes for the old”. It is feared that by the year 2000, theirnumber would be 20%. They would be a great load on the society and the nation. If they can be kept healthy, much of this burden would decrease. In India the number of people over age 65 is about 5%, but this number is fast increasing. For a country like India with
such a large population and limited recourses, it is desirable to plan in advance to tackle this problem rather wait till we are engulted by it.

RECOMBINANT DNA TECHNOLOGY IN MALARIA

Dr Y. D. Sharma

Associate Professor, AIIMS

Dept. of Biotechnology, New Delhi

Malaria affects large number of people each year in tropical countries and thus affects the
Socio economic condition, the disease remains uncontrolled todate despite several control measurements. The reason being the emergence of drug and insecticide resistant varieties
ofthe parasite and vector respectively. Therefore, the altertanative strategies such as vaccine andvector control programmes arebeing considered. Therecombinant DNA technology has been quite useful in malaria research since it has provided.

CONTRIBUTION OF BIOTECHNOLOGY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES

B.K. Das

Prof. & HOD of Nuclear Medicine

Sanjay Gandhi Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education, Lucknow

During the Last 20 to 30 years a large number of new noninvasive diagnostic procedures
have been developed. The human body has almost became transparent both morphologically as well as functionally. It has been possible to observe simultaneously biochemical process taking place inside the body on the monitors and to follow them.It has been easy to detect and quantify substances present in the body or in body fluids innanogram or even less quantities.

DNA FINGERPRINTING

Dr. N. Swain

Asst. Professor of Biochemestry,

MKCGMedicalCollege, Berhampur

Any organism is the product of its deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA. DNA is aptly regarded as the “Master Architect”possessing the ‘Blue Print’ of all the genes. The self-replicating
molecule is a double helical structure. A stretch of one of the strands of DNA responsible for the synthesis of a polypeptide is called a gene.Thousands of gene are accommodatedin each of the standsof this double helix of ours.

PIXE AS AN ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUE IN BIOTECHNOLOGY

A.K. Rath & D.P. Mohapatra

Institute of Physics, Bhubaneswar

Paticle induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) is a well established lon Beam technique for
nondestructive multi-elemental analysis especially for elements heavier than Sodium. It is a most commonly applied method for analysis especially for elements can be favorably
determined in the light elementmatrix of biological material. The awareness & acceptation of PIXE in biological material. The awareness & acceptation pf PIXE in Biological & Medical societies of India are,however, rather low, The reason for thisprobably is the low accessibility of instruments. After the installation of a low energy paticle accelerator at Institute of Physics,Bhubaneswar a maiden effort for using PIXE as a technique of trace element analysis in malignant tissues has been undertaken.

GENETIC ENGINEERING

M.S. Kanungo

Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu Unversity

Several Biological problems have defied solution for decades. They are (1) Individuals
of different species do not cross-breed. Hence a desirable character of one species cannot
be transferred to another and vice-versa.(2) There are several genetic diseases like
phenylketoneuria,sickle cell anemia , hemophilia,thalasemia etc. which are inherited
from generation to generation, and there is no method of cure.(3) Several diseases can be
cured by administration of biological molecules derived from various animals such as diabetes by insulin, acromegaly by growth hormone, etc. These hormones are obtained
cheaper way of getting these hormones, etc. These hormonesare obtained from animals after sacrificing them and hence are very expensive.

EFFECT OF WET HARVESTING ON BIO DETERIORATION OF RICE

M.N. Sahay & S. Gangopadhyay

CRRI, Cuttack

ABSTRACT

Two varieties of rice, Ratna and Annapurna, were subjected to four processing conditionsafter high moisture harvest. Leaving the harvested crop in windows on the bund (embankment of the plot) and then stacking it in the open increase exposure to rain and resulted in deterioration of gain. Delayed and improper processing associated with rain
resulted in decreased headrice yield, discoloration of grains, infection by fungi and production of mycotoxin. Maximum grain deterioration resulted when the crop was piled
into a stack, this lowered head rice yield and led to production of mycotoxin. Under identical processing condition, Ratan tended to perform better than Annapurna in milling, head rice yield and resistance to infection by fungi. Delay in drying a wet-season crop resulted in mold formation, increase in temperature and even germination leading to biodeterioration. Immediate oven or sun drying seems to be the best wayto prevent deterioration of the rice crops.

CHEMICAL-INDUCED BUD FORMATION IN ISOLATED LEAVES OF SOME MEDICINAL PLANTS.

Gadadhar Mishra & Nirupama Bhuyan

Department of Botany, RavenshawCollege, Cuttack

ABSTRACT

Leaves of some Medicinal plants were isolated from parent plants and were grown in beakers with their petioles dipped in different concentrations of chemicals. Some leaves
were grown in different concentrations of chemicals. Some leaves were grown in water as controls. Buds were produced in Tagetes patula L. with kinetin at 2 and 5 parts
per million(ppm); in Vinca rosea L. with kinetin at 5 and 10ppm, with adenine at 0.1 and 1.0 and 10 ppm and with L-Indolylacetic acid (IAA) at 0.1 and 0.5 ppm plus 0.5% sucrose; in Boerhaavia diffusa L.with kinetin at 1,2 and 5 ppm,with adenine at 0.1,1 and 10ppm and with –Indolylbutyric acid (IBA) at 1,2 and 2.5 ppm. Thus this is a modern of biotechnology employed for vegetative propagation of useful medicinal plants.

AQUATIC TROPHIC ENRICHMENT BIORECHNOGICAL APPROACHES

S. Ayyappan

Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar

Enrichment of trophic potentials as also maintenance of a proper aquatic environment have been a major concern of aqua-culturists. In farming practices, emphasis is laid on the
optimization of energy transfer process processes for maximizing the yield of the target produce-fish and shellfish. Biotechnology includes a whole series of aspects like biofuels,nitrogen fixation, fermentation,biomass production, etc .that could be applied for systems management without additional chemical inputs.

ASPARAGINASES FROM FUNGI AND ITS ANTITUMOUR PROPERTIES

Dr. Basant Choudhury

Dept.of Botany, Govt.College, Rourkela

ABSTRACT

Asparaginase II, an external enzyme was obtained from the 3 strains of Rollandinana Capitata and two dermatophytes. This enzyme is genetically and biochemically distinct from asparaginase l. It is significant for its immunosuppressive and antineoplastic properties. Recently, a lot of significance is given for extracting the enzyme from fungal
sources because of its little or no toxic effects on the organs of patients. The organisms used in the present investigation belongs to the fungal family, Gymnoascaceae, class, Ascomy cates. Since these fungi are opportunistic in nature and occur either as parasites or obtained from linical sources, the identification of the enzyme will be of great help in its clinical use.

ALGAL BIOTECHNOLOGY-POTENTIAL IN RELIEF OF MALNUTRITION

H. D. Kumar

Dept. of Botany, BanarasHinduUniversity

ABSTRACT

Several marine algae and freshwater cyanobacteria are now being grown in mass culture for use in biotechnology.Porphyra and Laminaria are grown as drops in the sea and are used as human food. Gracilaria, Chondrus and other sea and are used for extracting phycocolloids.

BIOTECHNOLOGY IN ANIMAL DEVELOPMENT

Dr. Ballav Narayan Patra

ABSTRACT

The growing human population of the earth demands adequatecorrectly balanced protein
based foods for normal development and growth for each and every individual. Although
plants supply a good percentage of such requirements yet animal based foods obtained particularly from domesticated animals, has the potential to meet the demand. Broadly speaking,meat milk and eggs are three major pillars from which the demand can be met
either in classical or processed terms.

BIOTECHNOLOGY IN POULTRY PRODUCTION ANDPREVENTION OFHUMAN HEALTH HAZARDS

M.M Pattnaik

Retd. Joint Director

ABSTRACT

Through judicious and incentive application of genetic principles and manipulation
of various physiological events, the present day domestic fowl is developed from the early ancestralIndiajungle fowl(Gallus gallus). The poultry bird has because essentially
an egg/meat producing machine with hybridvigour. It is good with regard to food production. But the present day practice of poultry production and their use in our country is not free of health hazards for the consumers in particular and his environment in general. We are already paying the carriers and low sanitation. As poultry industry provides employment for some and food for many, we cannot stop the menace altogether.

ROLE OF BIOTECHNOLOGY IN ENHANCING AQUACULTURE PRODUCTIVITY

S.D. Tripathi

Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture

ABSTRACT

The average aquaculture productivity from fresh water fish ponds in India is about 2000kg/ha/a at present though some progressive farmers in Punjab and Andhra Pradesh
are harvesting over 10t/ha/a. At the research institute, a production rate of 25t/ha/a is the target for 1992-93.

STATUS AND UTILIZATION OF BIOMASS ENERGY RESOURCE OF ODISHA

M.K. Mishra, S.K. Nisanka & S.P. Nayak

Department of Botany, BerhampurUniversity

ABSTRACT

Forestry products and agricultural and by-products are of central importance to Odisha’s
energy economy. The biomass fuels such as commercial wood,agricultural wastes,leaf litter, dung-cake,char-coal, collected wood, bio-wastes,aquatic weeds, etc gathered from a wide range of sources. Biomass fuel is mostly used in rural. Odisha for domestic purpose and it accounts for 90-99%. However, in urban Odisha it accounts for below 50%.
The demand of biomass fuel depends on various environmental and socio-economic factors.

EFFICACY OF WATER HYACINTH IN THE REDUCTION OF HEAVY METALS IN INDUSTRIAL WASTE WATER

ABSTRACT

The following few options are available for disposal and management of waste water generated from municipality an industries.

1.Chemo-mechanical treatments

2.Discharges to large water bodies.

3. Aerobic lagoons having blue green algae.

4. Spray irrigation of Forests.

5.Waste land treatment and crop irrigation
6. Use of vascular aquatic weeds for reduction of pollution load

Although Chemo-mechanical method is most efficient treatment method, It is seldom adopted because of high investment. Research on other low cost non-conventional methods for waste water treatment are being done in many parts of Globe and use of
biological agents like microorganisms and aquatic vascular plants has shown encouraging result. the present paper reports on the potentiality of water hyacinthin the reduction of heavy metals from some industrial wastewater of Odisha.

REGULATIONS FOR PRODUCTION AND USE OF GENETICALLY ENGINEERED MICRO-ORGANISM

Dr. R.N. Nanda

ABSTRACT

Scientific community and Governments are greatly concerned with the developments in recombinant DNA Techniques. There is a need for a voluntary world wide moratorium
on certain areas of genetic engineering research thought to be of potential hazard. Scientists are evaluating the potential benefits of the technique which allow the experimental manipulation of the genetic composition of micro-organisms. Six areas where the use of micro-organisms is expected to grow as a consequence of the revolution is applied molecular genetics currently taking place has been examined .Laws
in different advanced countries as well as in India which are or may be applicable to the regulations of biological agents released into the environment have been reviewed . Statutory regulationsand guidelines that have been summarized. The inventory of environmental laws and regulations includes those in the area of occupational safety and public heath.

THE ROLE OF BIOTECHNOLOGY IN SUSTAINING ECOLOGICAL BALANCE

Sri Ch. G. Mishra, IFS

ABSRACT

The forest is an epitome of environment, even though it is only one of its parameters. It is needless to say that the forest eco-system is one of the major parameters of the ecological concept. Recently the conservation of the forest eco-system has received good
attention. Adequate stress has also been laid down in the management plan formations by
prescribing setting up of natural resources or rare preserves to conserve as gene reservoirs
in each eco-type for the preservation of the flora and fauna particularly with regard to rare species and species facing extinction. Efforts are being made to preserve the natural
plants and animals alongwith natural micro-organisms of the area for future scientific research and for the conservation of the eco-system. The working of forests is recommended taking into consideration the ground density. Dense forest areas (With crown density more than 0.4)are termed as ecologically sound areas. The areas where the crown density less than 0.4 and above 0.1 have been classified as ecologically sensitive areas.The areas where the crown density is less than 0.1 are classified as ecologically fragile areas.

SEDIMENTATION –AN ECOLOGICAL HAZARD

Dibakar Sahu

ABSTRACT

It has been estimated thatabout 26 billion tonnes of sediments are transported to sea from 105m. sq km of drainage basins of the world. the maximum rate of erosion is on the steeper slopes. Towards the coast, erosion drops to a minimum and becomes negative at times. Due to removal of sediments annual loss of world agricultural land is as high as 3 millionhectares (3000 Sq. Km.). In India about 5334 million tonnes of soil is being lost annually due to undulating land,mosoonic type of rain falling in 3-4 months of the year and undesirable human activities.

BIOLOGICAL MONITORING OF RIVER WATR POLLUTION

Ranganath Mishra

ABSTRACT

Biological monitoring of environmental contaminants is an offshoot of biotechnology that deals with the applications of biological techniques in the state of the environment.
Preliminary survey of the state of pollution of industrial effluents in river water using
plant species was conducted. The use of plants in biomonitoring of the environment by measuring the effluent pollution rate is reported.

NATIONAL SERMINAR ON BIOTECHNOLOGY

Application of Biotechnology to solve environmental problems

G. Panigrahi

ABSTRACT

Biotechnology is perhaps best defined as the industrial exploitation of biological systems or processes and refers properly to intentional and science-based application of biological
processes are medicated by microorganisms and/or through the use of specific chemicals and enzymes to catalyze a vast range of chemical reactions under moderate conditions. It aims at revolutionizing many facets of industry and society.

APPLICATION OF BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT

A.Misra, R. Pattnaik, H.N. Thatoi, G.S. Padhi

ABSTRACT

Degradation of Environment quality is one of the major problems in the present times which is accentuated mainly through large scale deforestation supplemented by rapid
industrialization and mining activities. The state of Odisha inspite of rich forest as well as
mineral resources is facing serious Environmental depletion problems leading to creation
of vast waste lands through rapid mining and Industrial activities and human interference
that needs immediate attention for rehabilitation and quick restoration of the soil quality.
Application of Microbes involved in soil nutrient quality helping plant growth and establishment in the hostile situated can be of much help in environmental restoration. Biotechnology has a positive role to meet the specific problems of environmental degradation. The use of Rhizobia the VAM fungi in particular have been found to improve the growth and establishment of legumes in Iron and Chromite mine waste
areas of Odisha.

PROMISES AND CHALLENGES OF BIOTECHNOLOGIES –AN ORISSAN PERSPECTIVES

Bijaya Nanda Naik

ABSTRACT

Biotechnological include all the processes of transformationof renewable raw materials as well as the process of production by microbial, animal and plant cell culture of a production by microbial, animal and plant cell culture of a wide range of substances useful to mankind. Odisha is the state in a developing country like India is full of natural resources and raw materials for any technological use.

Biotechnology can be applied to various economic sectors such as the production of food
and cash crops, livestock husbandry and animal health, pharmaceuticaland chemical industries, the conversion of biomass into energy , the transformation of wastes and of agricultural and industrial by-product, pollution control and environmental sanitation, Furthermore ,the application of biotechnology for the development of Odisha can be carried out at different levels of complexity investment and effort though government and private sectors.