MFSc Program in Fish Physiology & Biochemistry - Syllabus

Central Institute of Fisheries Education Mumbai

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MFSc (Fish Physiology & Biochemistry) Program Structure and Major Courses

Course No

Titles Core Courses

Credits

1. 2. 3. 4.

FPB 501 FPB 502 FPB 503 FPB 504

Physiology of Digestion, Growth and Energetics FPB-502 Reproductive Physiology and Endocrinology FPB-503 Fish Biochemistry FPB -504 Metabolism of Biomolecules Optional Courses

2+1 2+1 2+1 2+1

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

FPB 505 FPB 506 FPB 507 FPB 508 FPB 509 FPB 510 FPB 511 FPB 512 FPB 513

Cardiovascular system and Respiratory Physiology Immunophysiology Cellular and Molecular physiology Sensory Physiology Physiology of Fish Behaviour Pharmaco-Physiology of Aquaculture Drugs Physiology of Excretion and Osmoregulation. Ecophysiology of Fishes Experimental Techniques in Biochemistry Biochemistry of Enzymes, Vitamins, Minerals and Hormones. Diagnostic Biochemistry

2+1 1+1 2+1 1+1 1+1 1+1 1+1 1+1 1+1 2+1

10. FPB 514 11. FPB 515

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FPB- 501 Physiology of Digestion, Growth and Energetics (2+1) Objective To acquaint students with the various aspects of growth and energy budget in fish and shellfish. Theory: Concept of growth, determination of age and growth, correlation of growth in relation to body weight and length, food and feeding biology, growth curve, feed ingestion and feeding mechanism; Digestive systems of fish and shell fish; Digestive organs and and their functions Digestive enzymes, digestion of carbohydrates, lipid and proteins, absorption and assimilation of nutrients; growth metabolism (anabolism and catabolism), biotic and abiotic factors affecting growth Practicals: Factors affecting digestibility and transport of nutrients Role of minerals and vitamins in growth regulation. Hormonal factors controlling growth. Insulin- like Growth factor (IGF) or Somatostatin and role of Insulin on growth Role of nutrients in growth and Growth stimulators

Estimation of AST; Estimation of ALT; Thyroxine/ Tyrosine assay; Insulin- like Growth Factor (IGF); Acid- base estimations of gut system. Estimation of carbohydrate, protein and lipid digestive enzymes. Determination of growth and age by otolith and fish scale analysis.

Suggested Readings :

Books: Muscle Development and Growth, Vol. 18 by William S. Hoar Fish Biomechanics by Robert E. Shadwick and George V. Lauder The Physiology of Fishes by David H. Evans. Fish Physiology By William Stewart Hoar and D. J. Randall Comparative Animal Physiology by C. L. Prosser, W. B Sounders co., Philadelphia Journals: Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition Fish physiology and Biochemistry

Journal of muscle research and cell motility 3

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Research Area : Mechanism and control of growth Role of insulin like growth factors Role of nutrient on growth

FPB-502: Reproductive Physiology and Endocrinology (2+1) Objective To acquaint students with basic concepts of reproduction in fish and reproductive technology

Theory:

Reproductive systems: male and female of fish and shellfish, primary and secondary sex characters, bisexual reproduction, hermaphroditism, gynogenesis, androgenesis, inter-sexes, breeding pattern, breeding season, Gonadal development, process of oogenesis; spermatogenesis, metabolic changes during oogenesis and spermatogenesis, Sex steroids and sex differentiation. Factors affecting sex differentiation. Sex reversal in fish, factors affecting sex reversal, parental care.

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Physiology of hypothalamo-hypophyseal system. Mechanism of hormone synthesis, release, transport and action. Hormone receptors and their characteristics. Neuroendocrine regulation of gametogenesis, maturation and ovulation processes. Neuro- endocrine system in crustacean and molluscs and its role in control of reproduction. Pheromones and reproductive behaviour. Role of nutrition in fish reproduction. Environmental factors influencing reproduction. Cryopreservation of gametes and mechanism of fertilization. Reproductive spawning. biotechnology for accelerating breeding and

Practicals:

Dissection and display of reproductive system (male and female). Identification of primary and secondary sex characters. Estimation of fecundity, Gonado- somatic index (GSI) 4

 Suggested Readings : Books:

Extraction of hormones, isolation, purification and characterization.

Breeding and seed production of Fin Fish and Shellfish by P.C. Thomas. The Physiology of Fishes by David H. Evans. Fish Physiology By William Stewart Hoar and D. J. Randall Comparative neuroendocrinology of invertebrates by Highman and Hill

Journals: Journal of Experimental Biology Journal of Fish physiology and Biochemistry. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition

Research Area: Hormonal control of fish reproduction Isolation and characterization of Gonadotropin Nutritional strategies of fish reproduction Cryopreservation of gamets

FPB- 503 Fish Biochemistry (2+1) Objective To acquaint students with the biochemical functions of different biomolecules. Theory: Definition, classification and biological significance of proteins; Amino acids: structure, classification, acid-base properties, stereoisomerisms and chemical reactions; Structure of proteins: primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary; denaturation. Definition, classification and biological significance of lipids, fatty acids: structure, properties and chemical reactions; Saponification, iodine number and peroxide value of fats Structure, properties and functions of phospholipids, prostaglandins, PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) and steroids Definition, classification and biological significance of carbohydrates; Chemical reactions; stereoisomerisms and mutarotation, structure and properties of monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides and mucopolysaccharides Structure, functions and properties of nucleic acids; Structure of 5

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purines, pyrimidine; DNA and RNA; Watson and Crick model of DNA.

Practicals: Extraction and purification of proteins and lipids Isolation, purification and characterization of nucleic acids Qualitative and quantitative analysis of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids. Quantitative estimation of biomolecules by spectrophotometric methods

Suggested Readings : Books: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Fishes by Hochachka Principles of Biochemistry by David L. Nelson and Michael M. Cox Fish Physiology By William Stewart Hoar and D. J. Randall Journals: Fish physiology and Biochemistry. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition Journal of Biology.

Research Area: Biosynthesis of PUFA. Isolation and characterization of genes

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FPB-504 Metabolism of Biomolecules (2+1) Objective To acquaint students with the metabolism of different biomolecules. Practicals:

Theory:

Carbohydrate metabolism: glycolysis and its control TCA cycle: different steps, stoichiometry and control Alternate pathways of carbohydrate metabolism pentose phosphate pathway and guconeogenesis; Glycogen metabolism; Regulation of blood glucose; Oxidative phosphorylation; Redox potential; Respiratory chain and its enzyme system; ATP synthesis; Lipid metabolism: biosynthesis and beta oxidation of fatty acids; Generation of acetyl CoA, NADH/NADPH and FADH2; Control of fatty acid metabolism; Protein and amino acid metabolism: biosynthesis of protein; Oxidative and non-oxidative degradation of amino acids, transamination and deamination; Urea cycle Biosynthesis of non-essential amino acids; Nucleic acids metabolism: purine and pyrimidine metabolism; Biosynthesis of deoxyribonucleotides and ribonucleotides; Intermediary metabolism: integration of carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism.

End product estimation of aerobic and anaerobic carbohydrate metabolism (pyruvate and lactate) Enzyme assay for LDH, MDH, ALT and nucleases Estimation of phospholipids.

Suggested Readings : Books: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Fishes by Hochachka Principles of Biochemistry by David L. Nelson and Michael M. Cox Outline of Biochemistry by Conn. Stumpf, Bruening and Doi: Harpers biochemistry by Murray et al.

Journals: Fish physiology and Biochemistry. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition Journal of Biology.

Research Area: Role of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins on metabolism during stress 18/4/08 7

FPB-505 Cardio-vascular system and Respiratory Physiology (2+1) Objective To acquaint students with the dynamics of cardiovascular system and adaptation of the salt transporting mechanism in fish and their physiology. Theory: Types of heart, morphological structure, blood vascular system. Lymph and lymphatic circulation. Regulation of cardiac activity, Neural and autoregulatory control of heart and haemodynamics, cardiac output, circulation time, blood pressure. Definition of respiration, basal metabolic rate (BMR), external respiration, internal respiration. Types of respiratory organs, gill structure Respiratory pigments and their functions. Mechanism of gaseous exchange, CO2 transport, countercurrent principle, water flow across the gills, respiratory pumps, pump musculature and skeleton, ammonia quotient. Practicals: Chloride cells and their role in respiration. Respiratory metabolism, energy budget and expenditure in relation to environmental conditions and stress Metabolic effect in response to environmental factors (biotic and abiotic). Hypoxia and metabolic rate, anoxic layers and habitats Oxygen requirements at larval stages Assay of Na+-K+ ATPase activity. Study of rate of oxygen consumption in relation to abiotic factors (pH, temperature, salinity). Differential count of blood cells and estimation of haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit value. Suggested Readings : Books: 18/4/08 Responses of Fish to Environmental Changes by Walter Chavin Control Processes in Fish Physiology by J. C. Rankin, T. J. Pitcher The Physiology of Fishes by David H. Evans. Fish Physiology By William Stewart Hoar and D. J. Randall Comparative Animal Physiology by C. L. Prosser, W. B Sounders 8

co., Philadelphia Journals: Journal of Fish Physiology and Biochemistry Journal of Fish and Shellfish Immunology.

Research Area Osmoregulation Mechanism of gaseous exchange Hypoxia as endocrine disrupters

FPB- 506 Immunophysiology (1+1) Objective To acquaint students with different aspects Immunostimulants and their effect on fish immunity, stress resistance and disease resistance. Theory: Basic principles of immune system in fishes and shell fishes. Immuno-stimulant, immunomodulation. Role of nutraceuticals viz., levan, - glucan, w3- fatty acid, levanisole, nucleotide, alginates, bovine lactoferine, etc. on fish/ shellfish immunity and mechanism of their action. Practicals: Principles of stress resistance, stress tolerance. Challenge study. Endocrine control of immune system.

Lysozyme activity. Estimation of NBT. Estimation of CBC. Estimation of prophenol oxidase. Estimation of superoxide dismutase. Estimation of IgM.

Suggested Readings :

Books: The Fish immune System, Organisms, Pathogen and Environment By Iwama, G and Nakanishi. Immunochemistry by Carel J. Van Oss and Mare H. V. Van Regenmortel Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Fishes by Hochachka The Physiology Of Fishes by David H. Evans Outline of Biochemistry by Conn. Stumpf, Bruening and Doi: Harpers biochemistry by Murray et al. Journals: Fish and Shellfish Immunology.

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Journal of Fish Diseases. Journal of Immunopharmacology. Research Area: Identification and application of nutraceuticals on immunity Endocrine control of immunity

FPB-507 Cellular and Molecular physiology (2+1)

Objective

To acquaint students with the cellular signaling cascades and other various molecular physiology.

Theory:

Protein sequencing, cell signaling and trafficking Sensor molecules and bioactive peptides; C-reactive protein, Structure, functions and expression of heat shock; antifreeze and metallothionenes proteins; Cross protection, mechanism of action of cross protection. Biochemical mechanism of thermogenesis. Adaptation mechanism during thermal extremes; metabolic reactions during starvation and stress; gene splicing and mutation. DNA probes and nucleotide sequencing; gene expression and cloning; recombinant DNA and DNA fingerprinting. DNA damage. Factors affecting gene expression. Fish cell culture and stem cells.

Practicals:

Quantification of HSP. DNA damage by Comet assay. Quantification of Creactive protein. Gene sequencing. Amino acid sequencing. Books:

Suggested Readings :

Fish Biomechanics by Robert E. Shadwick and George V. Lauder Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Fishes by Hochachka Stress- Inducible Cellular Responses by U. Fiege, R. Morimoto, I. Yahara Journals: Journal of Experimental Biology Journal of Fish physiology and Biochemistry Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition.

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Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Research Area: Identification and characterization of thermo tolerance gene Mechanism on cell signaling Adaptive mechanism to altered environment

FPB-508 Sensory Physiology (1+1)

Objective

To acquaint students with the different sensory organs and functional mechanism in fish and shellfish.

Theory:

Overview of Sense organs and their functions in fishes and shell fishes Action potential, synapse, Neurotransmitters, impulse transmission, Excitation-contraction coupling Hearing mechanism and specialization. Hearing threshold. Auditory behavior and ecology. Olfactory system and role in migration. Electroreception, chemoreception in fish. Physiology of photoreceptors and pineal. Effector and motor function, Motor behavior and locomotion. Bioluminiscence , Chromatophores

Practicals:

Practical on chemoreception using different feeding attractants. Behavioral studies with respect to temperature and noise. Study of reflex action. Effect of spinal nerve transection on melanophore behaviour. Effect of optic nerve transection on melanophore behaviour in response to background colour. Chromatophores response in relation to background colour, light, temperature, etc. Chromatophores response in relation to eye stalk ablation.

Suggested Readings :

Books: Fish Neurobiology by R. Glenn Northcutt, Roger E. Davis Electroreception by Theodore Bullock Sensory Systems Neuroscience: Fish Physiology, Vol. 25 by

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Toshiaki J. Hara The Physiology Of Fishes by David H. Evans, Fish Physiology By William Stewart Hoar and D. J. Randall Journals: Journal of Neuroscience Experimentia Chemical Senses Journal of Comparative Neurology. Research Area: Bioluminiscence , Chromatophores Chromatophores response in relation to eye stalk ablation.

FPB-509 Physiology of Fish Behaviour (1+1) Objective Theory To acquaint students on physiology of behaviour Concepts on fish behavior and regulatory mechanism-alarm reaction-transduction mechanism Domestication processes communicative behavior. Locomotion behavior Sexual behavior. Predatory avoidance. Parental and neonatal behavior Behavior due to environmental partition Chemical signals to evoke feeding behavior Adaptation mechanism in altered environment Tagging Studies. Audio visual recording of behavior in simulated experiment

Practicals

Suggested Readings.

Books: Behaviour of Teleost Fishes by T. J. Pitcher Fish Cognition and Behavior byCulum Brown, Kevin Laland The Physiology Of Fishes by David H. Evans Journals: Journal of Animal Ecology Journal of Fish Biology Journal of Fish Behaviour Research Area: Behavioural studies during reproduction Behavioural pattern in altered environment

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FPB-510 Pharmaco-Physiology of Aquaculture Drugs (1+1) Objective Theory To acquaint students with the aquaculture drugs and their delivery mechanism. An introduction to pharmaco-dynamic agents Anaesthetics Chemotherapeutic agents: antiprotozoal agents, ectoparasiticide, antihelmenthic Antibacterial drugs Delivery system of drugs ISO standards of levels of drugs. Estimation of residual level of different drugs Pharamaco-kinetics.

Practical

Suggested Readings

Books: Applied fish pharmacology by K. M. Traos Brown Fish medicine by M. K. Stockoff Journals: European Journal of Pharmacology Immunopharmacology Research Area: Metabolism and Pharmaco- kinetics of drugs

FPB-511 Physiology of Excretion and Osmoregulation (1+1)

Objective

To acquaint students with the physiology of excretion and osmoregulation in fish and shellfish. Definition of excretion and Osmoregulation Excretory organs in fish and shellfish and their functions Mechanism of excretion of nitrogenous waste, water and ion balance Urea cycle Chloride shift mechanism Mechanism of osmotic and ionic regulation Osmoregulation in migratory animals Stenohaline and Euryhaline animals and their tolerance capacity Endocrine control of osmoregulation Estimation of osmolarity in blood samples Estimation of osmolarity in relation to different salinities. Estimation of ammonia in blood and water samples. 13

Theory

Practical

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Suggested Readings

Books The Physiology of Fishes by David Evans. Fish Physiology by William Stewart Hoar and D. J. Randall vol. I Comparative Animal Physiology by C. L. Prosser, W. B. Saunders co., Philladelphia.

Journals Journal of Fish Biology Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Journal of Fish physiology and Biochemistry Journal of Experimental Biology Journal of Fish physiology and Biochemistry.

Research Area: Protein requirement studies based on nitrogen excretion Osmotic and ionic regulation in altered environment

FPB-512 Ecophysiology of Fishes (1+1)

Objective

To acquaint students with an insight into physiology of fish in response to changes in the aquatic environment both in wild population and in captivity.

Theory:

Fish and shellfish habitats in different ecological niches. Environmental factors affecting fish physiology and endocrine disruptors Adaptive and detoxification mechanism Global warming and its impact on fish and shellfish physiology. Thermal eco-physiology. Stress in fish and heat shock protein (HSP). Response of fish and shellfish during hypoxia and the role of cardiovascular and ventillary system. Physiological adaptations during migration. Natural and anthropogenic sources of radioactivity in the aquatic environment. Use of radioisotopes in tracer techniques for

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metabolic studies. Distribution of radioactive substances in water. International radiological limits for the export and import of aquatic products. The role of food chains in concentration of radionucleides by aquatic organisms. Effect of radioactive substances. Threat of radioactive

contamination to aquatic animal life.

Practicals:

Estimate threshold of thermal tolerance and salinity tolerance. Estimation of LC 50 of pollutants. Estimation of stress enzymes, isozymes. Estimation of cortisol in serum/plasma. Use of isotopes in tracer techniques for metabolic studies. Quantification of Tritium and other radioisotope levels from the aquatic animals.

Quantification of radioisotopes in fish/ shellfish tissues and in aquatic environment.

Suggested Readings :

Books: Responses of Fish to Environmental Changes by Walter Chavin Fish Ecophysiology by J. Cliff Rankin and Frank B. Jensen Heat Shock Proteins from Bacteria to Man by M. J. Schlesinger, M. Stress- Inducible Cellular Responses by U. Fiege, R. Morimoto, I. Yahara Stress and Fish by A. D. Pickering Water Pollution And Fish Physiology Heath Alan G The Physiology Of Fishes by David H. Evans Environmental Biology by Jobling M. Water Pollution And Fish Physiology Heath Alan G

Journals: Journal of Ecophysiology and Occupational Health Journal of Ecology, Ecosystems and Ecophysiology Fish physiology and Biochemistry Journal of Thermal Biology Journal of Experimental Biology 15

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Journal of Fish physiology and Biochemistry Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Toxicology Letters

Research Area: Thermo-tolerance polygon. Heat shock protein Adaptation mechanisms

FPB-513 Experimental Techniques in Biochemistry (1+1)

Objective

To acquaint students with different experimental techniques in the fish Biochemistry.

Theory:

Theory and application of colorimetry and spectrophotometry; BeerLambert's law; Calibration plot; Basic principles of chromatography; Theory and applications of paper, affinity, column, thin layer, ion-exchange, size exclusion and gas chromatography; HPLC (High Pressure Liquid Chromatography); Factors affecting chromatographic resolutions, resolving power and retention time; Methods of preparing biological samples for chromatographic analysis; Theory and applications of electrophoresis; Gel electrophoresis of proteins and nucleic acids; Determination of molecular weight of proteins and nucleic acids; Principle and uses of ultracentrifugation; Types of rotors and their applications; Beta scintillation counters and uses of radio isotopes in fisheries research.

Practicals:

Quantitative estimation of biomolecules by spectrophotometric methods; Estimation of proteins by different methods (Lowry, Biuret, Bradford); Separation of amino acids by paper chromatography; Qualitative and quantitative estimation of fatty acids by gas chromatography; Separation of proteins and nucleic acids by gel electrophoresis; Application of swing out and fixed angle rotors in ultra centrifugation.

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Suggested Readings :

Books: Experimental Techniques in Biochemistry by J. M. Braver Laboratory Techniques in Chemistry and Biochemistry by P. S. Diamond and R.F. Denman Methods for Fish Biology by C. B. Schreck and P. B. Moyle Journals: Journal of Research Methods and Methodological Issues Research Area: Development of new methods for quantification of biomolecules

FPB-514 Biochemistry of Enzymes, Vitamins, Minerals and Hormones (2+1) Objective To acquaint students with the different aspects of enzymes, vitamins, minerals and hormones. Nomenclature, classification and structure of enzymes Active site; Concepts of activation energy Transition state and enzyme-substrate complex; Units of enzyme activity Factors affecting enzyme activity; Enzyme kinetics; Km and Vmax values; Lineweaver and Burke Plots; Competitive and noncompetitive inhibition; Ribozymes; Immobilized and restriction enzymes; Structure and properties of water and fat soluble vitamins; Vitamins as coenzymes and prosthetic groups; Metabolic changes associated with hypo and hyper-vitaminosis; Biosynthesis of vitamins; Biological significance of important minerals (calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, zinc, manganese, selenium, cobalt, sodium, potassium, iron) Classification and functional properties of different hormones; Structure of peptide and steroid hormones; Biosynthesis, secretion and metabolic role of hormones Mechanism of hormone action. Assay of enzyme activity (alkaline phosphatase, transaminases); Quantitative estimation of vitamin A; Estimation of serum calcium and phosphorous; Analysis of peptides from fish pituitary homogenate. Suggested Readings : Books: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Fishes by Hochachka Principles of Biochemistry by David L. Nelson and Michael M. Cox Outline of Biochemistry by Conn. Stumpf, Bruening and Doi: 17

Theory:

Practicals:

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Harpers biochemistry by Murray et al.

Journals: Fish physiology and Biochemistry. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition Journal of Biology. Research Area: Enzyme kinetics Isozymes Enzyme action during stress Role vitamin and hormone on growth

FPB-515: Diagnostic Biochemistry (1+1) Objective To acquaint students with the different aspects of biochemical diagnostic Techniques. OIE (Office of the international epizootics) listed diseases of finfish and shellfish in the world and their approved diagnostic methods; Enzymes and isoenzymes of clinical significance; Metabolic disorders related to carbohydrate, lipid, protein and nucleic acid metabolism in fishes; Biochemical markers for EUS, viral haemorrhagic septicaemia, enteritis and spring viraemia in carp; Bacterial kidney diseases (BKD) and WSSV diagnosis; Biochemical indicators for stress; Biochemical techniques for identification of liver diseases, bone disorder and pesticide poisoning; Molecular basis of autoimmunity; Detoxification mechanisms of gill, liver and kidney; DNA fingerprinting and its applications in clinical biochemistry. Specimen collection, identification, transport, delivery, preparation and preservation of samples; Estimation of blood glucose, albumin and globulin; Identification of pathogens by PCR and DNA fingerprinting in finfish and shellfish; Disease diagnosis by histopathology, histochemistry and X-ray techniques; Liver and plasma enzyme assay (GOT, GPT, ALP and AChE); Analysis of stress proteins. . Books: Experimental Techniques in Biochemistry by J. M. Braver Laboratory Techniques in Chemistry and Biochemistry by P. S. Diamondand R.F. Denman Methods for Fish Biology by C. B. Schreck and P. B. Moyle Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Fishes by Hochachka Principles of Biochemistry by David L. Nelson and Michael M. Cox Outline of Biochemistry by Conn. Stumpf, Bruening and Doi: 18

Theory:

Practicals:

Suggested Readings :

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Harpers biochemistry by Murray et al.

Journals: Journal of Research Methods and Methodological Issues Journal of Experimental Biology Journal of Fish physiology and Biochemistry. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition

Research Area: Isolation and identification of WSSV. Development of monoclonal antibody Development of vaccines.

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