Foreword

The importance of Biotechnology and its applications in our life is well known, and with nearly four decades of experience at the University level, I am delighted and glad to write the foreword for the book “Genome Editing in Bacteria” edited by Dr. Prakash Halami and Dr. Aravind Sundararaman. I had known Dr. Halami since 2008, when I was nominated to the Institutional Biosafety Committee of CSIR-CFTRI, Mysuru, by the Dept. of Biotechnology, Govt. of India (New Delhi). I appreciate Dr. Halami abilities in planning, executing, monitoring research projects and dedication in mentoring many researchers in his lab.

Biotechnology is one of the most significant branches of biological sciences that is shaping the century and will continue to flourish and expand to newer frontiers in the present century too. Biotechnology draws parallel developments through research and applications in Microbiology, Genetics, Molecular biology, Bioinformatics, and Nanotechnology. Diverse branches of biotechnology have distinguished niches to well-defined dynamic research areas with both academic and industrial applications. Genome editing is a subject that has turned into a high science topic in our everyday vocabulary over a short period of time. Several positive and negative attributes have been associated with gene delivery techniques to develop transgenic microbes, animals and crops. The field has wide applications, and with every new development reported in leading peer-reviewed journals across the globe, the opportunities only become wider and the hopes brighter.

The editors have done an extraordinary job of bringing out a timely peer-reviewed volume titled "Genome Editing in Bacteria" with contributors spread across different continents. It is quite impressive to note that the editors have identified a wide range and dynamic topics that are organized in the form of a series of captivating articles highlighting different aspects of genetic engineering, both traditional and modern technologies in the field, protocols, advantages, new school of thoughts from around the world associated with some frontier development of biotechnological research. The attractive illustrations for presenting complex theoretical and experimental details and overall production design are sure to win the hearts of enthusiastic readers. The simplicity of the language and presentation style appealed to me a lot.

With years of experience in specific fields, several scientists and researchers have compiled and provided authentic and contemporary information. This compendium will be handy for faculty to update their lectures for the students pursuing higher education. Similarly, this book will be a ready reckoner for researchers working in specific areas to plan their future research.

It is a great pleasure on my part to pen a foreword for this prestigious, multi-authored, peer-reviewed, international publication on a topic that is very contemporary and close to my heart.

I wish the editors great success. I also extend my sincere greetings to all the contributors for their excellent effort in making this book a success.