Fish Biotechnology MFSc & PhD Syllabus.pdf - Central Institute of ...

MFSc & PhD Programsin Fish Biotechnology -SyllabusCentral Institute of Fisheries EducationMumbai18/4/08 1

M.F.Sc (Fish Biotechnology) - Major CoursesCode Course Title CreditsCORE COURSES1. FB 501Fundamentals of Molecular Biology 2+12. FB 502Basic concepts of Cell biology 2+13. FB 503Gene structure and expression2+14. FB 504 Genetic Engineering & its application in fisheries 2+1OPTIONAL COURSES1. FB 505Molecular and Immunogenetics1+12. FB 506Bioinforatics1+13. FB 507Cell culture and Hybridoma technology1+14. FB 508Marine biotechnology1+15. FB 509Aquaculture Biotechnology1+1PhD (Fish Biotechnology) - Major CoursesCode Course Title CreditsCORE COURSES1. FB 601Advances in Molecular and Cell Biology 2+12. FB 602Genetic Engineering of Eukaryotes 2+13. FB 603 Genetic Engineering of Bacteria and Viruses 2+1OPTIONAL COURSES1. FB 610Biosafety and Patent laws2+02. FB 611Functional Genomics and proteomics1+13. FB 612Protein Engineering1+118/4/08 2

Basic concepts of Cell biology 2+1Objective : To outline the basic structure growth and differerntiation of prokaryotic andeukaryotic cell, sub cellular componenets and their functionTheoryProkaryotic and eukaryotic cell architecture : Cell theory; diversity of cell size and shape;Organization and function of sub-cellular organelles – cell membrane; cytoplasm;endoplasmic reticulum; Golgi apparatus; lysosomes; mitochondria; nucleolus; peroxisomesand sub-nuclear structures;Principles of membrane transport: Active/passive membrane transport (Case study -Osmoregulation in freshwater and marine fishes) ion channels; carrier proteins; cellsignaling.Cell division : cell cycle and its regulation; Cell growth and differentiation;Cell motility : actin-myosin filaments; flagella; ciliaProtein sorting : secretion and targeting; vesicular traffic; endocytosis; exocytosis; proteintranslocation and secretary pathways.PracticalMicroscopic techniques- bright field, phase contrast and fluorescent microscopy;Microtomy; Sub-cellular fractionation and their functional integrity; Chromosomepreparation; Histochemical techniquesSuggested Reading1. Molecular Biology of Cell – Alberts B et al.2. Molecular cell biology – Lodish et al.3. Cell in development and inheritance – Wilson et al4. Developmental Biology – S.F GilbertJournal references18/4/08 4

Gene structure and regulation of expression 2+1Objective: To understand the structure of genes in prokaryotes and eukaryotes and thesignificance of cis and trans acting genetic elements in regulation of gene expression.TheoryGene structure : Promoters, UTRs, ORFs, exons, introns, termination signal, mono- andpolycistronic genes, Gene clustering; Overlapping genes in (Phi X174 virus)Bacteriophage genome : organization and life cycle of Lambda and M13;Regulation of gene expression in Prokaryotes : Operon concept (Lac/Trp); SOS response,bidirectional promoters.Regulation of gene expression in Eukaryotes : DNA protein interactions (zinc fingers,leucine zippers, helix turn helix, Z-DNA); transcription factors, promoters, enhancers,repressors, insulators, attenuators, IRES, alternative splicing.RNA in gene regulation : antisense RNA, microRNA, ribozymes.Case study : Molecular regulation of growth hormone expression in carp/or Molecularregulation of Na+K+ ATPase in gills and kidney cells of freshwater and marine fishes.Expression analysis – Techniques to test the up and down regulation of specific genes likeMicro array and Real time PCR.Epigenetics - DNA methylation, genetic imprinting, histone modifications, chromatinremodeling.Inhibitors of transcription and translation : mode of function and resistance mechanism –Actinomycin D, α – amanitin, Rifampicin, Tetracyclin, Streptomycin, Chloramphenicol,kanamycin, Cyclohaxamide, Diptheria toxin, Ricin.Site-directed mutagenesis and its applicationsPracticalExpression studies of a gene controlled by lacz promoter – Induction, blue/white selection,cell extract separation by PAGE and western blotting; lambda plaque formation on E. colilawn; Seperation of gill extract on PAGE and histochemical staining of Na+ K+ ATPase offish kept at different salinities; retrieval of gene information from ensemble and NCBI,BLAST.Suggested Reading18/4/08 5

1) Gene IX – Benjamin Lewin.2) Concepts in biochemistry – Rodney BoyerJournal referencesGenetic Engineering and its application in fisheries 2+1Objective: To detail the basic steps in recombinant DNA technology and its application inoptimization of production, health and environment in fisheries.TheoryRecombinant DNA technology : DNA modifying enzymes - types of restrictionendonucleases (Type I, II and III), DNA/RNA modifying enzymes (alkaline phosphatases,kinases, exonucleases, ligases, terminal transferases); Vectors - plasmids (replication, copynumber control and compatibility), phagemids, cosmids, high capacity vectors (eg. BAC),shuttle vectors; Adapters, linkers, ligation, transformation and selection.Hosts: prokaryotic (selected E. coli strains) and eukaryotic (selected yeast strains).DNA amplification : PCR – principle, types and applications; T/A cloning of amplifiedproducts; Structure and function of DNA polymerase and reverse transcriptase.Genomic DNA library: construction, screening (PFGE) and applications; chromosomewalking.cDNA library: construction, screening (PFGE) and clone characterization;DNA and protein sequencing: principle, types and applicationsApplication of rDNA technology : transgenesis – fish as a model organism, target genes,methods of gene transfer, transgenic screening techniques; Production of diagnostics andvaccines; biofactories, biosensors, waste water treatment, probiotics, GMOs - Biosafetyregulations and ethical issues related to biotechnological products; patent laws and IPRissues.Optimization of recombinant protein expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.Nucleic acid hybridization : Southern, Northern and Western blotting; DNA probes andtheir labeling.Practical18/4/08 6

Cloning strategies – insert and vector preparation, ligation, preparation of competent cells,transformation, clone confirmation techniques (horizontal slot lysis/colony PCR); Southernhybridization, probe Labeling methods; Primer designing; DNA sequencing and analysis.Suggested Reading1. Molecular Cloning: A laboratory Manual- J. Sambrook et al.2. Genomes – T.A. Brown3. Gene IX – Benjamin Lewin.Journal referencesMolecular and Immunogenetics 1+1Objective: To aquaint the students with techniques that are used to estimate geneticvariation among individuals and populations for various purposes and DNA diversitygenerated by somatic recombination of immunoglobulin genes.TheoryBiochemical markers: Allozyme polymorphism and its application in estimating populationgenetic parameters.Molecular markers: RAPD, RFLP, AFLP, EST, SNP, Minisatellites and Microsatellites andapplication in population genetic analysis and gene mapping, FISH – principle andapplication.Analysis: Interpretation of gels and data analysis using various softwares. DNA sequencepolymorphism and related software for alignment and analysis.Immunogenetics: Molecular biology of Ig synthesis, genetic basis of antibody diversity,humoral B-cell immunoglobulins, T-cell receptors and MHC.PracticalBiochemical markers: Allozyme polymorphism. Molecular Markers: RAPD, RFLP, AFLP,Minisatellites and Microsatellites.Interpretation of gels and data analysis.Suggested Readings:1. Pasteur et al 1988. Practical isozyme genetics. Ellis horwood ltd, England :215p2. Caetano-anolles G and Gresshoff P.M. 1998. DNA Markers: Protocols, Applicationsand overviews. Wiley-VCH, NY: 364p18/4/08 7

Suggested Reading1. Bioinformatics Basics : Applications in Biological Sciences and Medicine –Rashidi,H.H and L.K. Buehler2. Introduction to Bioinformatics – Attwood, T.K. and D.J. Parry- Smith3. Bioinformatics : Sequence and Genome Analysis, David W. Mount.4. Bioinformatics: A biologists guide to biocomputing and the internet – Stuart M.BrownJournal referencesCell culture and Hybridoma technology 1+1Objective: To introduce students to basic cell and tissuie culture techniques and theirapplications in health management, gene banking and genetic characterizationTheoryIntroduction: Structure and Organization of animal cell; Equipments and materials foranimal cell culture technology.Cell lines and media: Primary and established cell line cultures; media supplements – theirmetabolic functions; serum & protein free defined media and their application.Cell culture: Basic techniques of cell culture in vitro; development of primary cultures, cellseparation, maintenance of cell lines; biology of cultured cells, transformation anddifferentiation of cell cultures.Characterization of cell lines : measurement of viability and cytotoxicity assays; measuringparameters of growth; karyotyping, isozyme assays, cryopreservation, assessment ofcontaminants,Cell cloning and micromanipulation; cell transformation; application of fish cell culture;scaling-up of cell culture.Stem cells: Stem cell cultures, embryonic stem cells and their applications; cell culture basedvaccines, organ and histotypic cultures; measurement of cell death; apoptosis; threedimensional culture and tissue engineering.Cell Hybridization: Somatic cell fusion, hybridoma technology, Production and Applicationof monoclonal antibodies.Practicals18/4/08 9

Preparation of cell culture medium and membrane filtration, preparation of single cellsuspension from spleen and thymus, cell counting and cell viability; macrophagemonolayer from PEC and measurement of pathogenicity activity, trypsinization and subculturing, cryopreservation and thawing; measurement of doubling time, preparation ofmetaphase chromosome spread from cultured cells, isolation and demonstration ofapoptosis of DNA laddering, cell fusion with PEG, monoclonal antibody production,transfection techniques.Suggested Readings1. Culture of Animal Cells,(3rd Edition),R.lan Froshney,Wiley-Liss.2. Animal Cell Culture-Practical Approach,Ed.john R.W.Mesters,Oxford.3. Cell Growth and Division:A Practical Approach,Ed,R.Basega,IRL Press.4. Cell Culture Lab Fax.Eds.M.Butler & M.Dawson,Bios Scientific PublicationsLtd.Oxford.5. Animal Cell Culture Techniques.Ed.Martin Clynes,Springer.6. Methods in Cell Biology, Vol.57,Animal Cell Culture Methods.Ed.Jenni P Mathurand David Barnes.Academic Press.Journal referencesMARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY (1+1)Objective: To give the students an overview on the potential marine resources for bioactivecompounds, pharmaceuticals and the application of biotechnological tools to combatmarine pollution.Introduction: Historical background, overview of the present status of marinebiotechnology, commercially important and potential species, micro-algae, macro-algae,aquaculture.Marine Resources: biodiversity, marine natural products, valuable chemicals, biomedicaland bioactive compounds from marine organisms, commercial bio-products from marineorganisms; green fluorescent protein from jelly fish and its application, marine organisms asa source of polysaccharides, antiviral, anticancer and anti-inflammatory compounds; andcommercially important enzymes - Xylanase, agarase, proteases, chitinases, amylase,lipases, cellulase, phytase.Environmental Biotechnology: marine biotechnology for economic development andenvironmental problem solving, bio-film and bio-remediation, bio-sensor and transgenicmarine organisms; unculturable bacteria- occurrence, characteristics, characterization andexploitation; metagenomic library of unculturable bacteria, marine pollution and its18/4/08 10

control; genetically engineered microbes for waste water treatment; Red sea tide and itscontrol, biofouling and prevention.Gene mining : Identification of genes responsible for novel proteins, rDNA technology forthe large scale production of novel proteins, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and neutraceuticalsand their use in drug designing - for various finfish and shellfish bacterial and fungaltoxins.Fermentation technology : types – batch, continuous; Down stream processing ofcommercially important compounds.PracticalsExtraction of bioactive compounds from seaweeds, microalgae, sponges and test theirefficiency microbiology, biochemistry and molecular assays, isolation of marine algae,plankton and its culture method, methods for isolation of viable and unculturable bacteriafrom sea, recombinant DNA technology to produce commercially important enzymes.SUGGESTED READINGS:1. Drugs from sea (2000) Fusetani, N.2. Microbiology of deep sea hydrothermal vents (1995) Karl, D.M.3. The search from bioactive compounds from microorganisms (1992) Omum,4. Biotechnology and Biodegradation (1990). Kamely, D. Chakraborty, A. & Omenn, G.S.5. Recent Advances in Marine Biotechnology. Vol.2 (1998) Fingerman, M., Nagabushanam,R., Thompson, M.6. Biotechnology in the marine sciences: Proceedings of the first annual MIT sea grantlecture & seminar. (1984). Colwell, R.D.(Ed)Aquaculture Biotechnology 1+1Objective: To provide an overview of the application of biotechnological tools in fishbreeding, feed, health, processing and other issues in fisheries.TheoryFish Breeding: Synthetic hormones for induced breeding- GnRH analogue structure andfunction.18/4/08 11

Transgenesis : Methods of gene transfer in fishes, single gene traits, screening fortransgenics, site of integration, applications, regulation of GMOs, IPR, Evaluation of GFPtransgenics.Gene Bank and conservation: Cryopreservation of gametes and embryos.Feed Technology: Micro encapsulated feeds, micro coated feeds, micro-particulate feedsand bio-encapsulated feeds, mycotoxins and their effects on feeds.Health Management: DNA and RNA vaccines, molecular diagnosis of viral diseases, PCR,Dot-blot, ribotyping of pathogenic microbes, RNAi, Biofilms and its impact on healthmanagement, genetically modified micro-organisms as probiotics, immunostimulants,bioremediation of soil and water.Algal Biotechnology: Microalgae - indoor and mass culture methods, biotechnologicalapproaches for production of important microalgae, single cell protein from Spirulina,raceway system of micro algae culture, vitamins, minerals and omega3 fatty acids frommicro algae, enrichment of micro algae with micronutrients.Post harvest biotechnology: Delaying of spoilage, detection of toxic substances andpathogenic microbes, biosensors for toxins.Application of nanotechnology in aquaculture.PracticalsInduced breeding of carps, spirulina culture, identification of selected algae,cryopreservation of gametes, diagnosis of WSSV, micro-encapsulation, ribotyping, HAACPmethods, preparation of agar, PCR amplification and cloning of growth hormone gene,transgenesis, chromosomal manipulation- androgenesis, gynogenesis, triploidy, tetraploidy.Suggested Readings:1. Fish Genetics and Biotechnology – Ayappan et al . ICAR publication2. Fisheries Biotechnology – W.S. LakraJournal references18/4/08 12

PhD MAJOR COURSESAdvances in Molecular and Cell Biology 2+1Objective: To provide a deeper understanding of the molecular and cellular processesinvolved in the functioning, maintenance and death of living cells.TheoryContent of the genome : genome size and complexity, C-value paradox, repetitive and nonrepetitiveDNA, Cot curve, evolution of interrupted genes, cluster and repeats, genefamilies, pseudogenes, evolutionary clock.Protein localization and trafficking : Co-translational and post-translational translocation,post-translational modifications; Protein transport through ER - Golgi system; Anterogradeand retrograde transport; Exo- and endocytosis; Clathrin coated vesicles; membrane fusionand protein localization; Ubiquitin pathway for protein degradation;Signal transduction: active and passive transport, carrier proteins (uniporter/symporter/antiporter), ion channels (ligand and voltage gated channels), G-proteins,signaling pathways (Ras/MAPK, JAK-STAT)Cell cycle and growth regulation: cell cycle check points, cyclins, CDKs (Cycline dependentkinases); Cell differentiation; Apoptosis: programmed cell death – genetic pathways forPCD, anti and proapoptotic proteins.Epigenetics : DNA imprinting, histone modifications, histone code.Oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes: Viral and cellular oncogenes, tumour suppressorgenes; Structure, function and mechanism of action of pRB and p53 tumour suppressorproteins;RNA interference : History, molecular mechanisms and applications of antisense RNA,microRNA, siRNA and Ribozymes;PracticalsDNA sequence analysis for identification of cis acting elements – kozak sequence, intronexonboundaries, poly A signal, terminators, promoters, transcription factor binding sites,zinc finger motif, cellular localization signals using bioinformatics softwares availableonline; multiple alignment, tandem repeat identification, promoter analysis,antisense/siRNA design.18/4/08 13

Suggested Reading1. Molecular Biology of Cell – Alberts B et al.2. Molecular cell biology – Lodish et al.3. Cell in development and inheritance – Wilson et al4. Developmental Biology – S.F Gilbert5. Gene IX – Benjamin Lewin.6. Concepts in biochemistry – Rodney BoyerJournal referencesGenetic Engineering of Eukaryotes 2+1Objective: To provide indepth knowledge on the techniques available for the geneticengineering of eukaryotes and strategies to optimize recombinant protein production ineukaryotic expression systems.TheoryEukaryotic expression systems :Yeast expression system - host strains, special features, types of vectors (yeast episomalvectors, integrating vectors and YACs), yeast two hybrid systemInsect cell expression system - special features, types, baculoviral expression vectors,polyhedron promoters,Mammalian cell expression system - special features, selectable markers; Transfection :principle, types, selection; transduction by viral vectors, construct design (strong andconstitutive promoters, inclusion of introns),Fish cell expression systems : Tissue specific promoters, constitutive promoters andapplications.Strategies for optimizing recombinant gene expression in eukaryotic systems; Downstreamprocessing of recombinant proteins.Transgenesis : Fish as a model organism, methods of gene transfer, strategies for genetargeting (homologous sites/ cre-lox recombination system); specialized vectors for highefficiency transgenesis – eukaryotic transposon vectors, retroviral vectors, etc., Transgene:integration and detection techniques, an overview of transgenics developed in fisheriessector – food/or ornamental; Fish as biosensors and biofactories.18/4/08 14

Gene function analysis : gene knock-outs, gene silencing by RNAi, morpholinos, etc; sitedirected and transposon mediated mutagenesis.PracticalGene transfer experiments (electroporation, microinjection); Northern blotting, Western,Southern blotting for confirming integration and expression of transgene; Gene library:construction of cDNA and genomic DNA libraries; Screening: DNA hybridization,immunological assay and protein activity.Suggested Reading1. Gene IX – Benjamin Lewin.2. Concepts in biochemistry – Rodney Boyer3. Molecular Cloning: A laboratory Manual- J. Sambrook et al.4. Genomes – T.A. BrownJournal referencesGenetic Engineering of Bacteria and Viruses 2+1Objective: To provide knowledge on various techniques available to produce geneticallyengineered microbes and their application, design of viral vectors for efficient genedelivery.TheoryRecombinant protein expression in Bacteria : Optimization of expression; fusion proteins,purification of recombinant proteins - inclusion bodies, extracellular targeting, engineeringof signal sequences, electroporation.Scope and application of genetic engineering in bacteria : engineered microorganisms forbioremediation, biofouling, biosensing, biofermentation, probiotics and single cell protein.Molecular biology of fish DNA/RNA viruses : Major groups of DNA/RNA viruses; theircis acting genetic elements and regulation of protein expression .Genetic engineering of Virus : Use of animal viruses like vaccinia, herpes, retrovirus,baculovirus and adenovirus as cloning vectors, design of viral vectors - special features, cisacting regulatory elements; strategies to optimize recombinant protein production, pro’sand con’s of using viral vectors as gene delivery vehicles; vectors based on bacteriophagelamda, P1 and M13, special features and their application in optimizing recombinantprotein production.18/4/08 15

Patent laws : Global scenario of genetically modified organisms, Intellectual Property Rights(IPR), patent laws at institutional, national and international level,Suggested Reading1. Tzotzos, G.T. 1995. Genetically modified organisms-A guide to biosafety, CABInternational, Walling ford, U.K. 213p.2. DBT 1998 Back ground document for workshop on biosafety issues emanating from useof genetically modified organisms(GMOs). Bangalore. September 1998. 289p.3. Subbaram, N.R. 1998. Hand book of Indian patent law and practice. S.Viswanathan(Printers & Publishers) Pvt. Ltd. Chennai 628p.Journal referencesFunctional Genomics and proteomics 1+1Objective : To give an introduction to application of modern techniques for functionalgenome analysis. The students will practically learn to set up experiments for large scalegenome analysis, techniques for genomics, proteomics and metabolomics.TheoryWhole genome analysis: Preparation of ordered cosmid libraries, BAC libraries, Shotgunlibraries and sequencing, conventional and automated sequencing.DNA Microarray: Printing of oligonucleotides and PCR products on glass slides,nitrocellulose paper, genome analysis for global patterns of gene expression usingfluorescent labeled cDNA or end-labeled RNA probes, analysis of SNP using DNA chips.Proteome analysis: Two dimensional separation of total cellular proteins, isolation andsequence analysis of individual protein spots by mass spectroscopy, protein microarrays,advantage and disadvantage of DNA and protein microarrrays.Subtractive hybridization and differential display for identification of genes expressed inspecific conditions.PracticalAnalysis of SNP using DNA chips, printing of oligonucleotides and PCR products on glassslides, nitrocellulose paper, conventional and automated sequencing of DNA, proteinsequencing by mass spectroscopy, protein microarrays.18/4/08 17

Suggested Reading1. DNA Microarrays : apractical approach, Mark Schlena ed, Oxford University Press.2. The Internet and New biology : tools for genomic and molecular research by Peruskiet al 1997.3. Functional genomics: a practical approach, Stephen et al Oxford University Press2000.Journal referencesProtein Chemistry and Engineering 1+1Objective : To provide fundamental insight into the structure and function of proteins witha strong focus on the state-of-the-art protein engineering to design novel proteins and itsapplication.TheoryChemical and physical characteristics of proteins : Properties of amino acids, peptides, andproteins, chemical modification of proteins, Post-translational modification of proteins,forces that determine protein structures, Secondary tertiary and quaternary structures ofproteins, protein folding patterns, protein modules, protein structure based drug design.Structure Function Relationship of Proteins : DNA binding proteins, prokaryotic andeukaryotic transcription factors, DNA polymerases, membrane proteins and receptors,bacteriohodosin, photosynthetic centres, epidermal growth factor, insulin and ODGFreceptors and their interaction with effectors , protein phosphorylation, immunoglobulins,nucleotide binding proteins, enzyme serine proteases, ribonuclesase, lysozyme.Protein-Protein and Protein-DNA Interactions: Biochemical, biophysical and computationalmethods to Study Protein-Protein Interactions and Protein-DNA Interactions.Protein and DNA Sequence Analysis: Web-based Literature Search, Sequence Retrieval andSequence Analysis, Activities and Regulation of Protein Enzymes: Functions andRegulation of Enzymes, Regulation of the Activities of Enzymes and Other Proteins,Phosphorylation and Dephosphorylation.Protein Engineering And Protein Design : Protein data base analysis, methods to alterprimary structure of proteins, examples of engineered proteins, protein design, principlesand examples.18/4/08 18

Proteolysis in Cellular Regulation: Mechanism of Protein Degradation and ProteolysisPathways.PracticalProteomics and sequence analysis tools - Identification and characterization (Aldente,FindMod, Popitam, Phenyx, pI/Mw, ProtParam), DNA -> Protein, similarity searches(BLAST), pattern and profile searches (ScanProsite), post-translational modification andtopology prediction, primary structure analysis, secondary and tertiary structure tools(Swiss-PdbViewer), alignment and phylogenetic analysis, DNA mobility shift assay.Suggested ReadingT. E. Creighton - Protein : Structure and Molecular Properties, 2 nd or later edition W HFreeman and Co., New York, NY .Journal referencesRNAi Technology 1+1TheoryIntroduction : regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, types of RNA –rRNA, mRNA, tRNA, miRNA, siRNA, shRNA, tncRNA, gene knock down, gene knock out,co-suppression post transcriptional gene silencing, quelling, RNAi in C. elegans – landmarkevents in the discovery of RNAi components – dsRNA, Dicer, RISC complex, argonauteprotein; mechanism of RNAi, miRNA pathway, RNAi and origin of heterochromatin.Ribonuclease 11 superfamily : forms and functions in RNA, maturation, decay and genesilencing, RNA dependent RNA polymerase in gene silencing, RNAi in invertebrates –antiviral immunity by dsRNA in shrimps.Delivery of RNAi : Bio-distribution, delivery and application, delivery reagents, targetvalidation, detection methods, delivery systems – viral and nonviral delivery, RNAi as atool against animal and human diseases – HIV, cancer; gene therapy.PracticalSoftwares to design siRNA and target validation – ERNAi, optiRNAi, iRNAi; differentmethods of delivery – vector based, naked siRNA, chemically modified siRNA, geneexpression analysis techniques after RNAi delivery – Real time PCR, hybridizationtechniques.18/4/08 19

MFSc research areas :Molecular genetic studies for estimating genetic variation and other genetic parameters inamong stocks and species. Molecular tools for taxonomic identification, gene cloning forvarious purposes for example over production of desired proteins, characterization ofgenetic elements, development of biosensors, bioremidiators, and probiotics.Biotechnological tools for disease diagnosis, down stream processing of bioactivecompounds.PhD research areas :Development of DNA vaccines for commercially important finfish and shellfish diseases.Functional genomics, development of model organism, gene mining, molecular geneticstudies. Application recombinant DNA techniques for various purposes.18/4/08 20