In view of the developments in the field of biotechnology, the scope of this textbook has been broadened in this revised edition, but the basic philosophy remains the same. Protocols are given in
the chapters where laboratory exercises are essential for the students. References have been quoted
at the end of each chapter. Emphasis is placed on application of a technique, its contribution and
impact on crop improvement.
Chapters on plant tissue culture have been suitably amended wherever needed but the basic
aspects remain the same except for few additions. Chapters on genetic material, organization of
DNA in the genome and basic techniques for understanding the recombinant DNA technology remains
the same.
The recombinant DNA technology part in this revised edition has been broadened to a large
extent. Chapter on gene transfer methods has been expanded with emphasis on gene silencing and
development of marker free transgenics. A new chapter on chloroplast and mitochondrion DNA
transformation has been introduced. Chapter on Transgenics in Crop Improvement has been revised
with some recent examples of transgenics developed for various characters and its implications
have been added as new chapters. Impact of Recombinant DNA Technology chapter details the
status of biotech crops and arguments made in favor and against the GM crops in detail and in other
role of rDNA technology in other fields of biotechnology. Biosafety issues on biotech crops are
taking a centre stage and so many concerns have been raised. Great emphasis has been laid on a
chapter on biosafety and regulatory framework. Issues and controversies arisen at different times on
biosafety have been given. Regulatory frameworks for the release of transgenic crops and biotech
products in different countries of the world have been explained. Chapters on Bioinformatics and
Intellectual Property Rights have been expanded to great length. IPR issues as such and with
respect to biotechnology and protection mechanism for plants in the form of breeders rights have
been explained. Molecular markers and marker assisted selection chapter has been expanded to
give more information on some of the new molecular markers, genetic fingerprinting and further
updated by giving some recent examples. Other chapters on gene cloning, in vitro mutagenesis,
transposons and gene tagging, gene isolation and genomics have been amended, updated wherever
some lacunas were there. Metabolomics portion has been added in the chapter on genomics.