Absract Archive November - 06 Biofilm Based Vaccines in Livestock and Poultry A biofilm is an assembly of surface associated microbial cells that is enclosed in an extracellular polymeric substance matrix. Biofilms form when microorganisms attach to surfaces in aquatic ecosystems and produce exopolysaccharides, which aid adhesion to the submerged surfaces. Adhesion to surfaces provides considerable advantages for the bacteria that live within the biofilm including protection from antimicrobial agents and many benefits gained from close proximity to other microorganisms (e.g. the exchange of nutrients, metabolites and genetic material) Biofilm associated cells can be differentiated from their suspended counterparts by generation of an extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix, reduced growth rate and the up and down regulation of specific genes. An established biofilm structure comprises microbial cells and EPS and the cells may communicate via quorum sensing. Biofilms may form on a wide variety of surfaces, including living tissues, indwelling medical devices, industrial or potable water system piping or natural aquatic systems. Authors: A.Koteeswaran, M.Mohan. Genetically Modified Foods All over the world, scientists, ordinary citizens and farmers have raised concerns about the rush of GE (Genetic Engineering) technologies in our food chain. While some are completely against it, others are urging approaches that are more cautious. The term GMFs (Genetically Modified Foods) is most commonly used to refer to crop plants created for human or animal consumption using the latest molecular biology techniques. These plants have been modified in the laboratory to enhance desired traits such as increased resistance to herbicides or improved nutritional content. Human efforts to modify food crops are not new. In the first 10,000 years or so that people planted and harvested crops, they steadily cultivated hardier varieties by saving and replanting seeds from their best plants. Selective breeding, in use by about 5000 BC, gave farmers another tool to improve their crops. But these conventional plant-breeding methods can be very time consuming and are often not very accurate. Genetic Engineering on the other hand, can create plants with the exact desired trait very rapidly and with great accuracy. Combining genes from different organisms is known as recombinant DNA technology, and the resulting organism is said to be "genetically modified," "genetically engineered," or "transgenic." GM products (current or in the pipeline) include medicines and vaccines, foods and food ingredients, feeds, and fibers. Author: B. Mutyala Reddy. The HACCP System - an ideal food safety system Introduction Over a period of time there has been considerable changes in the concept of food technology. The modern food processing industry is very much sophisticated and technologically advanced. Further, several ingredients are now added to foods such as additives, antioxidants, preservatives, emulsifiers, cryoprotectants and coloring materials. There are also problems of pesticide residues, toxic metals, mycotoxins, biotoxins, antibiotic residues and the like. Under these circumstances, the responsibility of the processor has become increasingly complex and hence there is a global shift from food quality to food safety. In such a scenario, Controls, inspections and auditing standards, becomes necessary to look after safety in food. Authors:C.Swaminathan, Ms.A.K.Vidya. Nano Technology and cancer Nanotechnology is “development of single-atom layer gizmos that can replicate themselves and assemble and disassemble matter” Nanotechnology “is nano-sized particles and structures made from a variety of materials” “Nanotechnology is a fancy word for something chemists have been doing for decades” “Nanotechnology is more a slogan than a science” Nanotechnology will change the very foundations of cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. On novel nanodevices capable of one or more clinically important functions, including detecting cancer at its earliest stages, pinpointing its location within the body, delivering anticancer drugs specifically to malignant cells, and determining if these drugs are killing malignant cells. As these nano devices are evaluated in clinical trials, researchers envision that nanotechnology will serve as multifunctional tools that will not only be used with any number of diagnostic and therapeutic agents, but will change the very foundations of cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Authors:D.Leelavathi, V. Mathivanan. Bio-Informatics, the soaring tide in the ocean of Biotechnology “The real voyage of discovery consists of not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” Abstract Bioinformatics has emerged out of the optimized blended inputs from interdisciplinary talents. It should be an essential component of biotechnology education in order to reap the rich benefits that accrue out of it. The whole area of biology/biotechnology can immensely benefit from the bioinformatic approach. This versatile bio (info) tech combination is aiding different industries starting from agriculture to medicinal drugs in India and abroad. In brief, it is the soaring tide in the ocean of biotechnology, which can produce immense economic growth-heat for the years to come. Key words Bio (info) tech, bioinformatics, epigenomics, proteomics, genomics, gene card, drug design. Authors:Bibekanand Mallick, Zhumur Ghosh. The Role of Surfactant Protein on Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) Introduction Surfactant treatment would be the standard of care for infants who are affected by Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) ever since the United States Food and Drug Administration approved its use in 1990. The development of surfactant is one of the great success stories in neonatal care because the therapy specifically treats the surfactant deficiency and changes the pathophysiology and outcome of RDS. Many clinicians now use surfactant without appreciating the research that was essential to learning how to use it and to understanding why it works so well for most infants. That research history is the basis for interpreting new approaches to the care of infants who have RDS, such as the early use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Surfactant works because of complicated biophysical and metabolic effects within the preterm lung. These effects are modified by clinical variables such as antenatal steroids, lung injury, and gestational age. Authors:Sivakumar. A,Kesavan. M, Karthick. N, Loganathan. M.