DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2017.v05i05.046

Pages: 1945-1947

Mutation refers to alteration of DNA sequence, which may occur either naturally or artificially by various physical, chemical or biological agents. There are many conventional (Replica plating, antibiotic enrichment, use of chromogenic substrates and Ames test) and modern techniques (Denaturing HPLC, TILLING, PCR, NGS, gene probes, southern blotting, DNA sequencing, DNA microarray) for the identification of mutants. Some of the mutations are beneficial, while others may show deleterious effects. There are many beneficial approaches of mutagenesis in various fields ranging from biomedical applications to crop improvement. In biomedical sector, this approach is used for developing vaccines, somatic and germ line gene therapy and treating various diseases through knockout technology. Many improved strains of crops like rice, maize, cotton, tomato and potato have been developed using mutagenesis approach either by silencing of genes or overproduction of product through mutagenic approach. Various improved fermented food products have also been produced by developing improved microbial strains with enhanced and better quality product formation. Along with biomedical and food sector, this approach is also used in the environmental sector for developing microbial strains showing resistance towards environmental stress. Such microbial strains can be easily utilized in bioremediation for degrading xenobiotics, which cause environmental pollution. However, mutagenesis not always shows beneficial aspects, it may also result in deleterious consequences resulting in allergies and other side effects. There is need to conduct preclinical studies on animals and mammalian cell lines before commercialization of product or therapy involving mutagenesis. Therefore, the focus of current study is to understand the beneficial and deleterious effects of mutagenesis.