Topics to be treated include Review of nucleic acid chemistry: DNA structure as a genetic material, RNA transcription and translation. The central Dogma theory: one-gene one –polypeptide, DNA-protein interactions. Regulation of gene expression. Microorganisms in Biotechnology, review of microbial genetics: screening, selection and strain improvement. Fermentation, Sterilization techniques and culture media preparation. Principles and practices of Tissue culture and initiation and maintenance of cell cultures. Somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis.