Application of Biotechnology in Medicine

1. Genetic Engineering:

• Concepts:
  • Recombinant DNA technology: Definition, steps, and significance. (NCERT Biology Class XII, Chapter 12: Biotechnology and its Applications)
  • Gene cloning: Methods, vectors, and applications. (NCERT Biology Class XII, Chapter 12)
  • Gene expression: Regulation, control mechanisms, and importance. (NCERT Biology Class XII, Chapter 6: Molecular Basis of Inheritance)
• Applications in medicine:
  • Production of therapeutic proteins: Insulin, growth hormones, and antibodies. (NCERT Biology Class XII, Chapter 12)
  • Genetically modified organisms: Applications in medicine, agriculture, and industry. (NCERT Biology Class XII, Chapter 12)

2. Gene Therapy:

• Principles and techniques:
  • Concepts of gene therapy, gene delivery methods, and targeting strategies. (NCERT Biology Class XII, Chapter 12)
  • Viral vectors: Types, advantages, and limitations. (NCERT Biology Class XII, Chapter 12)
  • Non-viral methods: Physical, chemical, and biological approaches. (NCERT Biology Class XII, Chapter 12)
• Ethical considerations:
  • Safety concerns, risks, and benefits. (NCERT Biology Class XII, Chapter 12)
  • Informed consent, regulation, and international guidelines. (NCERT Biology Class XII, Chapter 12)

3. Medical Diagnostics:

• Techniques:
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): Principles and applications in disease detection and DNA analysis. (NCERT Biology Class XII, Chapter 12)
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA): Concepts, procedures, and applications in serological tests and immunoassays. (NCERT Biology Class XII, Chapter 12)
  • DNA microarrays: Technology, hybridization techniques, and applications in genetic profiling and diagnosis. (NCERT Biology Class XII, Chapter 12)

4. Pharmacogenomics:

• Personalized medicine:
  • Concept of personalized medicine, tailoring drug treatments based on genetic makeup. (NCERT Biology Class XII, Chapter 12)
  • Genetic variations, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and their role in drug response. (NCERT Biology Class XII, Chapter 12)
  • Advantages and challenges of personalized medicine. (NCERT Biology Class XII, Chapter 12)

5. Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine:

• Principles:
  • Tissue engineering concepts and applications. (NCERT Biology Class XII, Chapter 12)
  • Biomaterials used in tissue engineering: Scaffolds, growth factors, and stem cells. (NCERT Biology Class XII, Chapter 12)
  • Challenges in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. (NCERT Biology Class XII, Chapter 12)

6. Microbial Biotechnology:

• Applications:
  • Production of antibiotics, vaccines, and other therapeutic agents using microorganisms. (NCERT Biology Class XII, Chapter 12)
  • Bioremediation and environmental cleanup: Role of microorganisms in degrading pollutants and toxic substances. (NCERT Biology Class XII, Chapter 12)

7. Cancer Biotechnology:

• Molecular basis of cancer:
  • Genetic alterations, oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and mechanisms of cancer development. (NCERT Biology Class XII, Chapter 12)
  • Regulation of cell cycle and apoptosis in cancer cells. (NCERT Biology Class XII, Chapter 9: Cell Cycle and Cell Division)
• Biotechnology in cancer diagnosis and treatment:
  • Targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and gene therapy approaches. (NCERT Biology Class XII, Chapter 12)
  • Biomarkers, molecular diagnostics, and personalized cancer treatments. (NCERT Biology Class XII, Chapter 12)

8. Agricultural Biotechnology:

• Applications:
  • Genetically modified crops: Insect resistance, herbicide tolerance, improved nutritional quality, and disease resistance. (NCERT Biology Class XII, Chapter 12)
  • Molecular breeding techniques, marker-assisted selection, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture. (NCERT Biology Class XII, Chapter 12)
• Ethical and environmental considerations:
  • Biosafety concerns, environmental impact, and regulations related to GMOs. (NCERT Biology Class XII, Chapter 12)

9. Industrial Biotechnology:

• Applications:
  • Biofuel production, fermentation processes, enzyme technology, and production of industrial chemicals using microorganisms. (NCERT Biology Class XII, Chapter 12)
  • Waste management, wastewater treatment, bioremediation, and biodegradation. (NCERT Biology Class XII, Chapter 12)

10. Bioinformatics and Computational Biology:

• Role of bioinformatics:
  • DNA