Graduate Aptitude Test [GAT-B]Biotechnology Latest Syllabus 2024

Graduate Aptitude Test-Biotechnology (GAT-B), is an all India Entrance Examination to test the eligibility of bonafide Indian nationals for admissions to DBT supported Post Graduate programmes in Biotechnology and allied areas, at participating institutions/universities. Graduate Aptitude Test Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India initiated Post Graduate Programmes in Biotechnology, since 1985, as a major Human Resource Development Programme to hone trained manpower in General Biotechnology and specialized areas including Medical, Agriculture, Computational Biology, Food, Pharmaceuticals, Marine, Veterinary Science and Industrial Biotechnology. Currently, DBT is supporting Post Graduate programmes in Biotechnology and allied areas across universities and institutions in India. DBT supported Post Graduate programmes include M.Sc. Biotechnology and allied areas, M.Tech. Biotechnology and allied areas, M.Sc. Agricultural Biotechnology and M.V.Sc. Animal Biotechnology

Graduate Aptitude Test [GAT-B]Biotechnology Latest Syllabus 2024

Syllabus for Section A is of 10+2 level in the subjects of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and
Biology.
Syllabus for Section B is of Graduate level as given here:

• Biomolecules-structure and functions; Biological membranes, structure, action potential and transport processes; Enzymes- classification, kinetics and mechanism of action; Basic concepts and designs of metabolism (carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and nucleic acids) photosynthesis, respiration and electron transport chain; Bioenergetics.
• Viruses– structure and classification; Microbial classification and diversity (bacterial, algal and fungal); Methods in microbiology; Microbial growth and nutrition; Aerobic and anaerobic respiration; Nitrogen fixation; Microbial diseases and host-pathogeninteraction.
• Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure Cell cycle and cell growth control; Cell-Cell communication, Cell signaling and signal transduction.
• Molecular structure of genes and chromosomes; Mutations and mutagenesis; Nucleic acid replication, transcription, translation and their regulatory mechanisms in prokaryotes and eukaryotes; Mendelian
• inheritance; Gene interaction; Complementation; Linkage, genetics (plasmids, transformation, transduction,
• Conjugation; Horizontal gene transfer and Transposable elements; RNA interference; DNA damage and repair; Chromosomal variation; Molecular basis of genetic diseases.
• Principles of microscopy-light, electron, fluorescent and confocal; Centrifugation- high speed and ultra;
• Principles of spectroscopy-UV, visible, CD, IR, FTIR, Raman, MS, NMR; Principles of chromatography- ion exchange, gel filtration, hydrophobic interaction, affinity, GC, HPLC, FPLC; Electrophoresis; Microarray

• History of Immunology; Innate, humoral and cell mediated immunity; Antigen; Antibody structure and function;
• Molecular basis of antibody diversity; Synthesis of antibody and secretion; Antigen-antibody reaction; Complement; Primary and secondary lymphoid organ; B and T cells and macrophages; Major
• histocompatibility complex (MHC); Antigen processing and presentation; Polyclonal and monoclonal antibody; Regulation of immune response; Immune tolerance; Hypersensitivity; Autoimmunity; Graft versus host reaction.
• Major bioinformatics resources and search tools; Sequence and structure databases; Sequence analysis (bimolecular sequence file formats, scoring matrices, sequence alignment, phylogeny);
• Data mining and analytical tools for genomic and proteomic studies; Molecular dynamics and simulations (basic concepts including force fields, protein-protein, protein-nucleic acid, protein- ligand interaction).
• Restriction and modification enzymes; Vectors; plasmid, bacteriophage and other viral vectors, cosmids, Ti plasmid, yeast artificial chromosome; mammalian and plant expression vectors; cDNA and genomic DNA library; Gene isolation, cloning and expression; Transposons and gene targeting; DNA labeling;
• DNA sequencing; Polymerase chain reactions; DNA fingerprinting; Southern and northern blotting; In- situ hybridization; RAPD, RFLP; Site-directed mutagenesis; Gene transfer technologies; Gene therapy.
• Totipotency; Regeneration of plants; Plant growth regulators and elicitors; Tissue culture and Cell suspension culture system: methodology, kinetics of growth and, nutrient optimization;
• Production of secondary metabolites by plant suspension cultures; Hairy root culture; transgenic plants; Plant products of industrial importance.
• Animal cell culture; media composition and growth conditions; Animal cell and tissue preservation; Anchorage and non-anchorage dependent cell culture; Kinetics of cell growth; Micro & macro-carrier culture; Hybridoma technology; Stem cell technology; Animal cloning; Transgenic animals.
• Chemical engineering principles applied to biological system, Principle of reactor design, ideal and non- ideal multiphase bioreactors, mass and heat transfer; Rheology of fermentation fluids, Aeration and agitation; Media formulation and optimization; Kinetics of microbial growth, substrate utilization and product formation;
• Sterilization of air and media; Batch, fed-batch and continuous processes; Various types of microbial and enzyme reactors; Instrumentation control and optimization; Unit operations in solid-liquid separation and liquid-liquid extraction; Process scale-up, economics and feasibility analysis.
• Engineering principle of bioprocessing – Upstream production and downstream; Bioprocess design and development from lab to industrial scale; Microbial, animal and plant cell culture platforms; Production of biomass and primary/secondary metabolites; Biofuels, Bioplastics, industrial enzymes, antibiotics;
• Largescale production and purification of recombinant proteins; Industrial application of chromatographic and membrane based bio-separation methods; Immobilization of biocatalysts (enzymes and cells) for bioconversion processes; Bioremediation-Aerobic and anaerobic processes for stabilization of solid / liquid wastes.
• Tissue culture and its application, Micropropagation. Meristem culture and production of virus-free plants. Anther and microspore culture. Embryo and ovary culture. Protoplast isolation. Protoplast fusion-somatic hybrids, cybrid. Somaclones, Synthetic seeds. In vitro germplasm conservation. Cryopreservation.
• Organelle DNA, Satellite-and repetitive DNAs. DNA repair. Regulation of gene expression. Recombinant DNA technology-cloning vectors, restriction enzymes, gene cloning. Methods of gene transfer in plants.
• Achievements and recent developments of genetic engineering in agriculture. Development of transgenics for biotic & abiotic stress tolerance, bioethics, terminator technology, nanotechnology, DNA fingerprinting, gene silencing

Graduate Aptitude Test [GAT-B] Biotechnology Exam Pattern

The Graduate Aptitude Test for Biotechnology (GAT-B) follows a specific exam pattern that includes the format, marking scheme, and type of questions. Here’s a breakdown of the key aspects:

Format:

• The question paper is divided into two sections: Section A and Section B .
• Both sections are Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) .

Marking Scheme:

• Section A:
  • Each correct answer awards 1 mark .
  • There’s negative marking for incorrect answers, deducting 0.5 marks for each wrong answer .
  • All 60 questions in this section are compulsory .
• Section B:
  • Each correct answer awards 3 marks .
  • There’s negative marking for incorrect answers, deducting 1 mark for each wrong answer .
  • You only need to attempt 60 questions out of the 100 questions provided .
  • Unattempted questions receive no marks .

Type of Questions:

• Section A: Tests your knowledge at the 10+2 level in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology .
• Section B: Focuses on applying your understanding of Basic Biology, Life Sciences, Biotechnology, and allied areas at the graduation level. 

GAT-B Biotechnology Study Plan: Crack the Exam with Focus and Strategy

Scoring well on the GAT-B exam requires a strategic study plan that incorporates all the essential elements. Here’s a breakdown to help you create a personalized approach:

1. Understand the Syllabus and Exam Pattern:

• Begin by thoroughly reviewing the official GAT-B syllabus provided by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) [https://dbt.nta.ac.in/]. This ensures you cover all the relevant topics.
• Familiarize yourself with the exam pattern, including the number of questions, marking scheme, and section-wise distribution [refer to previous response on exam pattern].

2. Build a Strong Foundation (4-6 Months):

• Focus on strengthening your fundamentals in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology at the 10+2 level. Textbooks used for these subjects in your higher secondary education can be a good starting point.
• Explore reference books specifically designed for GAT-B preparation. These books often provide topic-wise explanations, solved examples, and practice questions aligned with the exam format.

3. Deep Dive into Biotechnology (3-4 Months):

• Dedicate time to delve into core Biotechnology concepts covered in the syllabus. Textbooks or reference books catering to undergraduate Biotechnology programs can be helpful resources.
• Look for online resources like video lectures or courses offered by reputed institutions or platforms. These can provide a dynamic learning experience.

4. Practice Makes Perfect (2-3 Months):

• Regularly solve practice questions from previous years’ GAT-B exams and mock tests offered by coaching institutes or online platforms. This helps you:
  • Gauge your understanding of the topics.
  • Identify your strengths and weaknesses.
  • Improve your time management skills during the actual exam.
• Analyze your performance on practice tests and revisit challenging areas for further study.

5. Develop Test-Taking Strategies (1 Month):

• Practice using effective time management techniques during mock tests. Aim to complete Section A quickly and strategically attempt questions in Section B to maximize your score.
• Learn to identify the most appropriate answer choices, even if you’re unsure of the exact answer. Techniques like elimination can be helpful.
• Develop a positive approach to the exam. Stay calm, focused, and avoid getting overwhelmed during the test.

Additional Tips:

• Create a study schedule: Allocate dedicated study hours each day/week and stick to your plan.
• Maintain a balance: Schedule breaks and include physical activity to avoid burnout.
• Join a study group: Discussing topics with peers can enhance understanding and provide motivation.
• Stay updated: Keep an eye on the official DBT website for any announcements or updates regarding the exam.

Graduate Aptitude Test [GAT-B] Biotechnology Inportant Topic Section Wise

Here’s a list of important topics for the Graduate Aptitude Test (GAT-B) Biotechnology, categorized based on the two sections of the exam:

Section A: General Aptitude (10+2 Level)

• Physics:
  • Mechanics (includinginematics, work, power, energy, momentum, and collisions)
  • Properties of matter (solids, liquids, and gases)
  • Optics (including reflection, refraction, and wave theory of light)
  • Heat and thermodynamics
  • Electricity and magnetism
  • Atomic and nuclear physics
• Chemistry:
  • Basic concepts (elements, compounds, mixtures, atomic structure, chemical bonding)
  • Inorganic chemistry (periodic table, properties of elements, and chemical reactions)
  • Organic chemistry (functional groups, nomenclature, preparation, properties, and reactions of organic compounds)
  • Physical chemistry (states of matter, solutions, colligative properties, chemical kinetics, thermodynamics, and electrochemistry)
• Mathematics:
  • Algebra (sets, relations, functions, inequalities, quadratic equations, logarithms, permutations and combinations, probability)
  • Trigonometry (identities, ratios, applications)
  • Coordinate geometry (lines, circles, parabolas, hyperbolas)
  • Calculus (differentiation and integration)
  • Statistics (measures of central tendency and dispersion, probability distributions)
• Biology:
  • Diversity of living organisms (including plants, animals, microbes)
  • Cell structure and function
  • Cell cycle and cell division
  • Genetics (Mendelian principles, molecular genetics, chromosome theory of inheritance)
  • Evolution
  • Ecology and environment
  • Human physiology (digestive system, respiratory system, circulatory system, nervous system, excretory system, reproductive system, endocrine system)
  • Biology and human welfare (health, diseases, hygiene)

Section B: Biotechnology (Graduation Level)

• Biomolecules: Structure and function of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids
• Viruses: Structure, classification, replication
• Cell Biology: Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure, cell cycle, cell signaling
• Molecular Biology and Genetics: Molecular structure of genes and chromosomes, DNA replication, transcription, translation, mutation, genetic engineering techniques (recombinant DNA technology, gene cloning, etc.)
• Microbiology: Fundamentals of microbiology, growth and cultivation of microorganisms, microbial diversity, beneficial and harmful microorganisms
• Biochemistry: Metabolic pathways (glycolysis, TCA cycle, electron transport chain), enzymes, vitamins, hormones
• Immunology: Basic concepts of the immune system, antigens, antibodies, types of immunity
• Plant and Animal Physiology: Plant and animal tissues, transport in plants, respiration, photosynthesis, excretion, nervous system, hormones
• Recombinant DNA Technology and its Applications: Principles of genetic engineering, vectors, restriction enzymes, applications in medicine, agriculture, and industry
• Bioinformatics: Introduction to bioinformatics tools and databases
• Bioprocess Technology and Engineering: Principles of bioreactors, fermentation, downstream processing
• Environmental Biotechnology: Bioremediation, waste management
• Nanobiotechnology: Applications of nanotechnology in biotechnology

Frequently Asked Questions Graduate Aptitude Test [GAT-B] Biotechnology

1. What is the purpose of the GAT-B exam?

Answer: GAT-B is an entrance exam conducted to assess the eligibility of candidates for admission to DBT-supported postgraduate programs in Biotechnology and allied areas at participating institutions in India.

2. Who can apply for the GAT-B exam?

Answer: Bonafide Indian nationals with a Bachelor’s degree in Science or a related field can apply for the GAT-B exam. Specific eligibility criteria might vary depending on the program you’re interested in, so refer to the official notification for details.

3. What is the syllabus for the GAT-B exam?

Answer: The GAT-B exam covers two sections:

• Section A: General Aptitude (tests knowledge at the 10+2 level in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology)
• Section B: Biotechnology (tests understanding of core Biotechnology concepts at the graduation level)

You can find a detailed syllabus on the official website of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) https://dbt.nta.ac.in/.

4. What is the exam pattern for the GAT-B exam?

Answer: The GAT-B exam is a Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) based test with two sections:

• Section A: 60 questions (compulsory attempt)
  • +1 mark for each correct answer
  • -0.5 mark for each incorrect answer
• Section B: 100 questions (attempt any 60)
  • +3 marks for each correct answer
  • -1 mark for each incorrect answer
  • No marks for unattempted questions

The total duration of the exam is 3 hours.

5. How can I prepare for the GAT-B exam?

Answer: Here are some tips for preparing for the GAT-B exam:

• Thoroughly understand the syllabus and exam pattern.
• Strengthen your foundation in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology at the 10+2 level.
• Utilize reference books and online resources specifically designed for GAT-B preparation.
• Practice with previous years’ question papers and mock tests.
• Develop effective time management strategies.
• Maintain a consistent study schedule and stay focused.

6. What are some resources available for GAT-B preparation?

Answer: Here are some resources that you might find helpful:

• Official website of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT): https://dbt.nta.ac.in/
• Reference books and study materials for GAT-B preparation
• Online resources like video lectures, courses, and mock tests offered by reputed institutions or platforms
• Previous years’ GAT-B question papers

7. Where can I find the latest updates about the GAT-B exam?

Answer: The official website of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is the most reliable source for the latest updates regarding the GAT-B exam, including application deadlines, exam dates, and admit cards.