Biotechnology in recent times has created unprecedented opportunity not only for the manipulation of biological systems for the benefit for mankind but also undertaking studies to elucidate the fundamental life processes. It is an old field that has rejuvenated in recent years because of the development of genetic engineering and other molecular biology techniques. At present Biotechnology is in an amazing growth phase whose end is nowhere in sight. In order to produce trained manpower in this field of study there are now at least 35 institutions in India where infrastructure for training and research has been establish. The growth of Biotechnology as an organized discipline has been phenomenal in the past one decade. This has been the direct result of the revolutionary changes in various biological and scientific discoveries and techniques. Consequently, it has become the world fastest growing and the most rapidly changing technology. There are many books on Biotechnology of both Indian and foreign authors that are available in India, but the students of undergraduate and post graduate classes find it hard to cope with the ever changing and increasing terminologies associated with these changes and often find it impossible to find the meaning of specific terms without having to go through volumes of concerned literature. This glossary therefore has been carefully designed, structured, compiled and edited to provide students of not only Biotechnology but also of related subjects like Microbiology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Immunology, Molecular biology etc. at different levels with a handy and reliable source for theories, principals, concepts and various experimental techniques. Pedagogic improvement and user friendliness have been the major goals of this glossary. It has endeavored to incorporate important new developments that reflect the progress biological science into the pre and post genomic era. The presentation throughout has been aimed at sustaining the interest of the readers while enriching their vocabulary, and comprehension of technical terms and expressions. This Glossary will provide a guide/reference source for the students, of Biotechnology exclusively along with those studying Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Agriculture, Medical and Environmental Sciences and Genetics. Students of the undergraduate, post graduate, research and even the teachers involved in academics will find this book invaluable when their path of thought encounters the hurdle of a word unknown to them. Dictionaries that are available, concentrate on other subjects like Environmental Sciences, Botany, Plant Physiology, Bioinformatics etc. and a compilation such as this Glossary is not available. I am therefore confident of the success of the Glossary as a book as there is no other book of this sort available in the market.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Meenakshi Banerjee
Dr. Meenakshi Banerjee is First Class first, (Gold Medallist), Ph.D. from Banaras Hindu University, in 1988, she joined Barkatullah University as Lecturer in 1989. She became Reader in 1997. Shortly after joining as lecturer she was awarded the M.P. Young Scientist Award in 1990 followed by the prestigious DAAD Fellowship as Germany in 1995. On return from Germany she was the recipient of J.E.B. Young Scientist Award for the Academy for Environment Biology for her outstanding contributions in the field of Algal Physiology, Ecology and Biochemistry of Cyanobacteria in 1995. in 1998, Dr. Banerjee proceeded to United Kingdom on the coveted Staff Academic Commonwealth Fellowship in Biotechnology as an Honorary Visiting Fellow in the University of Durham. In 2002 Dr. Banerjee received the reputed University Grants Commission UGC Career Award given to scientists by UGC in recognition of the significant noteworthy contributions in their respective field to specialization and academic career. in March 2003, Dr. Banerjee received the coveted Scientist of the year Award-2002 which included Gold Medal, Citation and Certificate for her out standing contributions in the field of Cyanobacterial Biotechnology by the International board of Awards of the National Environmental Science Academy New Delhi. In January 2004 Dr. Banerjee was honored with the UNESCO recognized Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose National Award for Excellence in Environmental Biotechnology by J.K. Foundation, India followed by the Fellowship Award of the NESA in April 2004. Recently she has been nominated for the Distinguished Scientist of the ear-2004-2005 of the National Environmental Science Academy, New Delhi, and Fellowship Award of the Academy of Environmental Biology, 2004-2005. Dr. Banerjee is a life member of many scientific bodies of National and International fame. Widely traveled, Dr. Banerjee has visited many foreign countries to deliver talks and attend conferences. She has been to Australia, Singapore, Hongkong, Bangkok, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Ireland, Denmark, Amsterdam and Brussels. Dr. Banerjee in this short span of time has produced 8 Ph.D. and 20 M. Phil, students. She has more than 55 publications in reputed peer reviewed International and National journals. She has attended more than 60 National and International conferences/Congresses/Symosia. She has very successfully completed 4 research projects of National funding agencies. Dr. Banerjee's current interest lies in Extensive research for the propagation of rate varieties of medicinal plants on alagal biofertilizers and exploring the Biotechnological applications of the unique group of microorganisms, the cyanobacteria, by studying organisms from diverse habitats including the Antarctic and Hot deserts where these organisms survive at the borderline of life.
There are no reviews yet.