CHANDIGARH, Feb 10: Five laboratories at the Department of Bio-technology, Punjab University were inaugurated today by Manju Sharma, secretary, Department of Bio-technology, Government of India.These labs will be used in departments of Medical Bio-technology, Bio-chemical Research and Molecular Biology for teaching students of M.Sc and B.Sc .Speaking on the occasion, Sharma said "bio-technology is an upcoming field and proper career counselling is required to help students know about it. Last year, only 17 to 18 per cent of the students had got absorbed in good jobs," she added. She suggested that the Punjab University, PGI and Institute of Microbial Technology come together to counsel students about career prospects in bio-technology. She also congratulated girl students for showing good results in studies. She said that 80 per cent of the girl students were toppers in this university and urged the universities authorities to ensure good facilities for them.A book on "Trends in Environmental Mutagenesis," written by R.C. Sobti, Head of PU Bio-technology Department, was also released. In the afternoon, Manju Sharma gave the A.C. memorial lecture and Vice-chancellor, M.M. Puri presided over the session. Sharma, speaking on genetic engineering, said "Genetic engineering techniques and genetic transformations have already produced edible vaccines". She added that plants species and crops were now being studied to improve foods and their nutritional value.Sharma said the next century would see the result of crop engineering in agriculture in the form of high quality seeds.
