Preface

Science has done wonders in the past decades. As the world is in the grip of Covid-19, the relevance of logical understanding is gaining prominence. One of the wonders of nature is virus and today we witness the impact of "coronavirus," which has not only created panic but has caused havoc across the world. This pandemic has brought the world to a standstill and nations are battling against it in unison. At this juncture the relevance of discoveries in biological sciences is worth imbibing. The blueprint of life is ingrained in the molecule popularly known as nucleic acid, and virus being the simplest infectious agent has the versatility to invade, conquer, and demolish the most evolved biological system on this planet. While magnification and resolution of this mysterious nucleoprotein require sophisticated equipment, xenophobia turns out to be alarming. In between the optimism to conquer and pessimism to perish is the journey of exploration with existing knowledge of science.

Altering the threads of life through genetic engineering has always been a fascinating science. The information crystallized through various research and amalgamation of technologies has given impetus to weird fantasies. In this book, the contribution by Dr. Ranjan Singh exposes readers to various strategies involved in changing the molecule of biological information. He has dwelled on the molecular scissors to molecular propagation via vectors. As one winds up seeking information about manipulating the genetic material, the chapter by Dr. Shahzad takes readers into the world of a most fascinating technology, "polymerase chain reaction," which virtually revolutionized molecular characterization, and fiddling with genetic material became much easier and less time consuming. Dr. Sean Stevens' chapter on "Genome engineering for xenotransplantation" is worthy of attention. Transplantation science has always required innovations and genome engineering could be a wonderful tool to sustain xenotransplantation.

Addressing the implications of genetic engineering, this book does not end up by limiting the technology for alteration and amplification of genetic materials from any source. Dr. Duque provides an interesting chapter on the "Prospects for the production of recombinant therapeutic proteins and peptides in plants: special focus on angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory (ACEI) peptides" through genetic engineering for therapeutic purposes. Therapeutic molecules are continuously being produced and refined to work efficiently in curing various ailments. The nature of the molecule and its efficacy in the subjects being treated require sufficient attention. This chapter will expose readers to gauge the significance of therapeutic proteins and strategies to create and improve them for human needs. Lastly, Dr. Ashfaq presents a chapter on emerging technologies for agriculture using a polymeric nanocomposite-based agriculture delivery system.

Science has always been fascinating and flight of imagination has always motivated researchers to gain insight into the workings of microcosmic biological systems. This compilation follows the previous title *Genetic Engineering: An Insight into the Strategies and Application* and will turn out to be wonderful reading material

for communities taking even a slight interest in biological sciences. The editor is indebted to all contributors and their efforts will further the foundation of developing nascent as well as established scientists, students, and logical minds.

Ms. Nina Kalinic Babic, the Publishing Process Manager, has always been cooperative and responsive to queries as and when required. Her contribution in shaping and finalizing the compilation for novel and ardent readers is gratefully acknowledged.

I hope that this rudimentary information will be worth reading during this Covid-19 pandemic.

> **Dr. Farrukh Jamal** Department of Biochemistry, Dr. Rammanohar Lohia Avadh University, Ayodhya, India

> > **1**

**Chapter 1**

**Abstract**

role in human welfare.

**1. Introduction**

geous in curing human disease [5].

Genetic Engineering: Altering

*Tanim Arpit Singh, Trashi Singh, Ranjan Singh, Rajeeva Gaur,* 

Over the past 30 years, the field of genetic engineering has grown in a spectacular manner. The methods involved in genetic engineering which were earlier considered cumbersome and involved sophisticated instrumentation have now became a common drill within the laboratories throughout the world. This rising technology is now involved in almost every aspect of biological research. Its application includes medical diagnosis, paternity disputes, forensic analysis, genome sequencing, etc. In the recent years, this technology has attained a large-scale attention, and now the commercial products developed using genetic engineering are known worldwide. The technique of genetic engineering is solely based on genetic information, which is encoded by the DNA in the form of genes. Through genetic engineering the genes can be introduced or manipulated within the host to develop products of value and importance, for treatment of genetic disorders, and to achieve other goals. The present chapter explains the techniques involved in genetic engineering and rDNA technology and its importance in revolutionizing different fields. The objective of this chapter is to highlight the basic principle and methodology involved in genetic engineering and its

the Threads of Life

*Prabhash Kumar Pandey and Farrukh Jamal*

**Keywords:** genetic engineering, DNA, gene library, plasmid, vector

Genetic engineering refers to the process of altering the genetic code of any living organisms by transferring the genes from one organism to the chromosome of another in such a way that its biosynthetic properties get modified. The manipulation of genetic material or genes is carried out using selective breeding or through molecular biological techniques [1]. This process alters the biological capabilities of an organism, and it can be utilized for the industrial production of desired proteins, enzymes, antibiotics, agricultural products, etc. [2, 3]. Genetic engineering allows us to develop crops with agronomically beneficial changes like resistance to pests and harsh environment and enhanced productivity with lesser ripening time [4]. Apart from other agricultural applications, genetic engineering can also be advanta-

Genetic engineering can also be referred to as the mechanism of changing the level of protein expression. In a condition where a large amount of protein is required for the purpose of purification, its level of expression can be altered by changing its promoter [6, 7]. Hence, the term "genetic engineering" can also be
