602
working to evaluate the genetic diversity of different species of plants and animals
for selection, management, and protection of the germ plasm (Nisar et al. 2011).
Analysis of genetic diversity in the genome of a species is done by using different
molecular markers e.g. proteins and DNA which are commonly used as markers due
to their stability under different environmental conditions. These markers are more
informative and accurate as compared to phenotypic markers. In recent times, a
number of them are being used to find genetic diversity at DNA level. These markers show the degree of relationship in individuals of same species without environmental influence (Yadav et al. 2007). Recombinant plants are established to meet
the food demand in future. According to the International Service for Acquisition of
Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA), currently, more than ten million farmers of 25
different countries are benefiting from genetically modified crops.
26.4.2 Nanobiotechnology
Nanotechnology is a new approach in science that involves materials having capacity to manipulate physical as well as chemical properties of a substance at molecular
level. In nanobiotechnology, atomic or molecular machines can be made by incorporating them with biological systems so it is also considered as a combination of
biotechnology and nanotechnology (Emerich and Thanos 2003). Nanotechnology is
the development of materials or devices with sizes ranging between 1 and 100 nanometers. It plays an important role along with biotechnology for development of
useful tools to study life. Nanotechnology is helpful in drug targeting of diseased
tissues (Dong and Feng 2004). Nanoproducts can be bioaccumulated in more concentration than formal drugs at affected sites. Nanoparticles increase vascular permeability in tumor tissues through better transmission. It is also helpful in drug
delivery to brain cells by overcoming the blood-brain barrier (Maeda et al. 2000).
Nano-biotechnology is also applicable in clinical science like disease diagnosis,
drug delivery and molecular imaging. In diagnosis, semiconductor nanocrystals that
can emit more light than typical organic compounds are used to help in diagnosis of
damaged tissues. Nano gold particles are decorated with DNA short segments which
form the basis to detect the presence of a given genetic sequence. If required
sequence is present in the sample, it binds to complementary DNA segment and
forms a dense web of visible gold balls. This technology helps for the detection of
pathogenic organisms. Another new technology for diagnosing disease is the synthesis of protein chip that can be treated with chemical group or small protein component which binds with specific proteins that contains a certain biochemical
structure (Mitra et al. 2006).
By using nanotechnology, we can develop drugs for diseases that cannot be
targeted by conventional pharmaceuticals. Nanomedicines will be helpful to
cure diseases in near future and also enhance normal human physiology
(Fakruddin et al. 2012).
M. Akram et al.
working to evaluate the genetic diversity of different species of plants and animals
for selection, management, and protection of the germ plasm (Nisar et al. 2011).
Analysis of genetic diversity in the genome of a species is done by using different
molecular markers e.g. proteins and DNA which are commonly used as markers due
to their stability under different environmental conditions. These markers are more
informative and accurate as compared to phenotypic markers. In recent times, a
number of them are being used to find genetic diversity at DNA level. These markers show the degree of relationship in individuals of same species without environmental influence (Yadav et al. 2007). Recombinant plants are established to meet
the food demand in future. According to the International Service for Acquisition of
Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA), currently, more than ten million farmers of 25
different countries are benefiting from genetically modified crops.
26.4.2 Nanobiotechnology
Nanotechnology is a new approach in science that involves materials having capacity to manipulate physical as well as chemical properties of a substance at molecular
level. In nanobiotechnology, atomic or molecular machines can be made by incorporating them with biological systems so it is also considered as a combination of
biotechnology and nanotechnology (Emerich and Thanos 2003). Nanotechnology is
the development of materials or devices with sizes ranging between 1 and 100 nanometers. It plays an important role along with biotechnology for development of
useful tools to study life. Nanotechnology is helpful in drug targeting of diseased
tissues (Dong and Feng 2004). Nanoproducts can be bioaccumulated in more concentration than formal drugs at affected sites. Nanoparticles increase vascular permeability in tumor tissues through better transmission. It is also helpful in drug
delivery to brain cells by overcoming the blood-brain barrier (Maeda et al. 2000).
Nano-biotechnology is also applicable in clinical science like disease diagnosis,
drug delivery and molecular imaging. In diagnosis, semiconductor nanocrystals that
can emit more light than typical organic compounds are used to help in diagnosis of
damaged tissues. Nano gold particles are decorated with DNA short segments which
form the basis to detect the presence of a given genetic sequence. If required
sequence is present in the sample, it binds to complementary DNA segment and
forms a dense web of visible gold balls. This technology helps for the detection of
pathogenic organisms. Another new technology for diagnosing disease is the synthesis of protein chip that can be treated with chemical group or small protein component which binds with specific proteins that contains a certain biochemical
structure (Mitra et al. 2006).
By using nanotechnology, we can develop drugs for diseases that cannot be
targeted by conventional pharmaceuticals. Nanomedicines will be helpful to
cure diseases in near future and also enhance normal human physiology
(Fakruddin et al. 2012).
M. Akram et al.