Biotechnology in recent times has created unprecedented opportunity not only for the manipulation of biological systems for the benefit for mankind but also undertaking studies to elucidate the fundamental life processes. It is an old field that has rejuvenated in recent years because of the development of genetic engineering and other molecular biology techniques. At present Biotechnology is in an amazing growth phase whose end is nowhere in sight. In order to produce trained manpower in this field of study there are now at least 35 institutions in India where infrastructure for training and research has been establish. The growth of Biotechnology as an organized discipline has been phenomenal in the past one decade. This has been the direct result of the revolutionary changes in various biological and scientific discoveries and techniques. Consequently, it has become the world fastest growing and the most rapidly changing technology. There are many books on Biotechnology of both Indian and foreign authors that are available in India, but the students of undergraduate and post graduate classes find it hard to cope with the ever changing and increasing terminologies associated with these changes and often find it impossible to find the meaning of specific terms without having to go through volumes of concerned literature. This glossary therefore has been carefully designed, structured, compiled and edited to provide students of not only Biotechnology but also of related subjects like Microbiology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Immunology, Molecular biology etc. at different levels with a handy and reliable source for theories, principals, concepts and various experimental techniques. Pedagogic improvement and user friendliness have been the major goals of this glossary. It has endeavored to incorporate important new developments that reflect the progress biological science into the pre and post genomic era. The presentation throughout has been aimed at sustaining the interest of the readers while enriching their vocabulary, and comprehension of technical terms and expressions. This Glossary will provide a guide/reference source for the students, of Biotechnology exclusively along with those studying Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Agriculture, Medical and Environmental Sciences and Genetics. Students of the undergraduate, post graduate, research and even the teachers involved in academics will find this book invaluable when their path of thought encounters the hurdle of a word unknown to them. Dictionaries that are available, concentrate on other subjects like Environmental Sciences, Botany, Plant Physiology, Bioinformatics etc. and a compilation such as this Glossary is not available. I am therefore confident of the success of the Glossary as a book as there is no other book of this sort available in the market.
