Course No.:
Course Title:
NRE 153
Environmental Biotechnology and Societal
Concerns
3
42-0-0
Dr. S. Ramakrishnan/Dr Anandita Singh/Dr.
Deepti Gupta (Modules 1, 2 & 3–35 hrs)/ Guest
Faculty (Modules 4 & 5–21 hrs)
Number of Credits:
No. of Lectures-Tutorial-Practical:
Course Coordinator(s):
Course Outline
This course aims to help the student understand the theoretical bases of some
biotechnological applications in the environmental sciences. Specialized tools and
techniques used in such applications, as well as case studies are included to illustrate
the development and application of general principles in a context-dependent manner.
Contemporaneous topics such as biosafety, food security and bioenergy will be used to
highlight societal concerns raised by these applications. These will be discussed in detail
in separate modules that give an overview of regulations and risk assessment.
Pre-requisite
Biological Sciences upto Graduation
Evaluation Procedure


2 minor tests:
1 major test (end semester):
30% each
40%
Details of course content and allotted time
SNo
1.
2.
Topic
Part 1: Environmental biotechnology: Conceptual
framework
Module 1
Microbial biotechnology and the environment
Introduction. Issues in environmental pollution and
environmental protection, as relevant to microbial
biotechnology.
Microbial genetics. Prokaryotic cell structure and function,
microbial genetics: recombination, genes and their
organization, genetic code, gene expression and regulation
Time (Hrs)
L
T
P
1
4
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Metagenomic studies in environmental biotechnology.
Techniques of isolation, enrichment, purification and
characterization of microbes, methods for identification of
microbes, FAME analysis, 16s rDNA sequence, mass
spectroscopy, techniques of preservation of microbes
Case studies. Release of genetically modified organisms.
Biodegradability, Recovery of natural resources (oil
recovery, biobleaching). Introduction to biotransformations.
Module 2
Plant biotechnology and the environment
Agriculture and biotechnology interface. Introduction to
history of agriculture, food security and sustainable
development, plant breeding and crop improvement:
perspectives from green revolution, contemporary plant
biotechnology and its promise.
Transgenic plants for food security, nutrition and
healthcare: Case Studies
Transgenic technology, principle, tools, techniques and
methodologies. Imparting tolerance to abiotic and biotic
stresses, nutritional enhancement, molecular farming for
plantibodies and biomolecules of pharmaceutical and
therapeutic value.
Transgenic plants and Environment: Case studies
Herbicide resistant plants, Bt cotton, Lateral gene flow,
Relevance of Biosafety
5
Biotechnology for germplasm conservation and marker
assisted breeding.
Fundamentals of molecular markers, DNA fingerprinting for
conservation and management of genetic resources, marker
assisted breeding and selection for crop improvement
Integrated Plant Nutrient and Pest Management.
Bio fertilizers for sustainable soil health and crop
productivity, inorganic and organic fertilizers
Module 3
Bioremediation and bioenergy
Monitoring of bioremediation, bioindicators and biosensors
for environmental monitoring. Bioremediation and microbial
biotransformation of pollutants. Phytoremediation, biofuels,
molecular farming
Part 2: Science and society
Module 4
Principles of regulation and the Indian scenario
4
3
2
6
3
2
5
11.
12.
13.
17.
Competing models of risk assessment
Models of risk consideration: Scientific rationality trajectory
and social rationality trajectory.
Risk analysis framework
Risk assessment, risk management and risk Communication.
Precautionary principle and precautionary approach
1
Environment Protection Act, 1986
National Environmental Policy of India-2006
Rules for the manufacture, use, import, export and storage of
hazardous
micro-organisms,
genetically
engineered
organisms or cells; Institutional Structure; Powers and
Functions; Relevant Guidelines and Protocols.
Other relevant laws/bills
Plant Quarantine order; Biological Diversity Act; Protection
of Plant Varieties and Farmer’s Rights; Act; Drugs and
Cosmetics Act, Policy and the rules; Seed Policy; DGFT
Notification; Draft National Biotechnology Regulatory Bill;
2008
Total
2
2
2
42
Textbooks
1. Baltz R.H., Davies J.E. and Demain A.L. (eds.) Manual of Industrial Microbiology
and Biotechnology (3rd edition), ASM Press.
2. Brock T.D., Madigan M.T., Martinko J.M. and Parker J. (1994) The Biology of
Microorganisms (8th Edition), Prentice Hall,
3. Chopra V.L., Malik V.S. and Bhat S.R. (1999) Applied Plant Biotechnology, Oxford
University Press.
4. Chrispeels M.J., Sadava D.E. (2003) Plant, Genes and Crop Biotechnology (2nd
Edition), Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Inc.
5. Henry R.J. (1997) Practical Applications of Plant Molecular Biology, Chapman &
Hall.
6. Hodgkin T., Brown A.H.D., Hintum Th. J.L. van and Morales E.A.V. (1995) Core
Collections of Plant Genetic Resources, John Wiley & Sons.
7. Hurst C.J., Crawford R.L., Knudsen G.R., MchInerney M.J. and Stetzenbach L.D.
(ed.) (2002) Manual of Environmental Microbiology, 2nd edition, ASM Press.
8. Narayan P. (2001) Patent Law, 3rd Edition, Eastern Law House.
9. Nelson D.L. and Cox M.M. (2009) Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, (5th edition),
W.H. Freeman and Co.
10. Peirce W. and Vesilind (1998) Environmental Pollution and Control (4th edition),
Authors: Butterworth-Heinemann
11. Primrose S.B., Twyman R.M. and Old R.W. (2001) Principles of Gene Manipulation,
(6th Edition), Blackwell Science Ltd.
12. Raju K.D. (ed.) (2007) Genetically modified Organisms: Emerging Law and Policy in
India, TERI Press.
13. Thomas (1999) Biotechnology and Safety Assessment (2nd edition), Replika Press
Pvt. Ltd.
14. Varnam A.H. and Evans M.G. (2000) Environmental Microbiology, Manson
Publishing.
15. Weising K., Nybom H., Wolff K. and Meyer W. (1995) DNA Fingerprinting in Plants
and Fungi, CRC Press.
16. Wise D.W., Trantolo D.J., Cichon E.J., Inyang H.I. and Stottmeister U. (ed.) (2000)
Bioremediation of Contaminated Soil, Environmental Science and Pollution Control
Series, Vol. 22, Marcel Dekker.
Suggested Readings
1. Buchanan B.B., Gruissem W. and Jones R.L. (2000) Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology of Plants, American Society of Plant Physiologists.
2. Cornish W.R. (1999) Intellectual Property (4th edition), Sweet & Maxwell, London.
3. Divan S. and Rosencranz A. (2005) Environmental Law and Policy in India, (2nd
edition), Oxford, New Delhi.
4. Erbisch F.H. and Maredia K.M. (eds.) (2004) Intellectual Property Rights in
Agricultural Biotechnology (2nd edition), CABI Publishing, Oxon.
5. McMannis C., (ed.) (2007) Biodiversity and the Law, Earthscan, London.
6. National Biotechnology Development Strategy (Draft), Department of
Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.
7. Prescott L.M., Harley J.H. and Klein D.A. (1999) Microbiology (4th edition), McGraw
Hill.
8. Report of the Task Force on Application of Agricultural Biotechnology, Ministry of
Agriculture, Government of India, (2004).
9. Sankaran K. and Singh U.K. (eds.) (2008) Towards Legal Literacy: An Introduction to
Law in India, Oxford University Press.
10. Stern K.R. (1997) Introductory Plant Biology, WM Brown Publishers.
11. Useful Web sites/notes/handouts (to be provided by instructors).
12. Watal J. (2001) Intellectual Property Rights in the WTO and Developing Countries,
Oxford, New Delhi.
Journals
1. Environmental Biotechnology
2. International Journal of Phytoremediation
3. Journal of Bioremediation and Biodegradation