Induction of somatic embryogenesis in Papaya (Carica papaya)

This study highlights the induction of somatic embryogenesis using immature zygotic embryos of Carica papaya commercial varieties viz. Coorg Honey dew, Washington, Honey dew, Pusa delicious, Pusa nanha, Taiwan 786, Taiwan 785, Sunrise, Solo, Co-1, C0-7, and Co-3 respectively. Somatic embryos formed in the presence of thidiazuron (TDZ) in combination with 2, 4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2, 4-D), but never on  explants cultured on control medium lacking plant growth regulators. Embryogenic callus could be induced from immature zygotic embryos after 4-6 weeks of culture on full-strength Murashige and Skoog inorganic salts, which served as the basal medium supplemented with 4.52 μM 2, 4-D and 2.27 μM TDZ (induction and maintenance medium). The ability to induce  embryogenic tissue varied for different papaya tested varieties, and there was a mixed genotypic response on the induction of embryogenic cultures. The highest percentage of somatic embryogenesis was noticed in a papaya variety Taiwan-786 (87.0±4.2a), followed by Taiwan- 785  (85.0±3.0a), and Coorg Honey dew (81.0±3.2a) respectively. This protocol is simple and reproducible, and could be useful for regenerating large number of plants as well as provide a target tissue for genetic  transformation experiments

TDZ induced in vitro propagation of an epiphytic orchid Xenikophyton smeeanum (Reichb. f.)

An efficient shoot regeneration of Xenikophyton smeeanum (Reichb. f.). was achievedusing shoot tip sections and thidiazuron (TDZ). Protocorm-like bodies (PLB’s) orproliferating shoot buds was observed when thin cell layers of shoot tip sections werecultured on Mitra et al. (1976) basal medium supplemented with 11.35μM thidiazuron.Shoots produced roots when cultured on Mitra et al (1976) basal medium supplementedwith 8.56 μM IAA. This simple protocol will be useful for large-scale propagation of nativeepiphytic orchid Xenikophyton smeeanum

Role of bi-specific monoclonal antibodies in immunodiagnostic assay

This review paper highlights the use of bi-specific monoclonal antibodies (bsMAb) in the diagnostic assays for the early detection of pathogens of human infectious diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), chikungunya (CHIKV), tuberculosis (TB) and dengue. Bi-specific monoclonal antibodies (bsMAb) are unique and artificially engineered macromolecules with two distinct binding sites, and are capable of binding two different antigens non-covalently. However, the traditional methods of diagnosis such as virus or bacterial isolation, and PCR amplification are quite expensive and time consuming. Bispecific monoclonal antibodies (bsMAb) are versatile, and can increase the specificity and sensitivity of detection in the suspected individuals. Therefore, immunodiagnostic assays using bsMAb are less expensive, and a large number of clinical samples could be analyzed at a faster rate for the detection of pathogens within a stipulated time. This could allow in developing a cost effective diagnostic kit, which is very useful particularly in the developing countries for the early assessment of the disease outbreak

Evidence of WUSCHEL (WOX2) gene expression during induction of somatic embryogenesis from apical shoot buds of mature trees of Pinus roxburghii

This study highlights for the first time the expression of transcription factor, WOX2(WUSCHEL homeobox 2) in the embryogenic tissue derived from the apical shoot buds of mature trees of 3 genotypes of P. roxburghii. Therefore, PrWOX2 could be used as a potential molecular signature for the identification of embryogenic cultures during the early development of somatic embryos in conifers. On the other hand, the non-embryogenic tissue of shoot bud cultures which were initiated without cold treatment (control) failed to showthe expression of WOX2. This clearly demonstrates the role of WOX2 in the somatic embryogenesis pathway and might be directly related to the stress conditions

Journey of a single cell to a plantlet via in vitro cloning mature trees of conifers

During cloning of mature conifers, isolated somatic cells from apical meristematic tissue under any external stress conidions of cold\heat or chemical are induced to form a somatic embryo. This review paper highlights the difference between embryogenesis patterns in angiosperms and gymnosperms and updates information on the current progress made in the cloning of mature trees of conifers. Insights gained through these systems  has already lead to the development of cloning methodologies that could aid in reprogramming apical meristematic cells of recalcitrant mature conifers for clonal forestry

Dengue Diagnostics: Current Scenario

There is an urgent requirement for specific, sensitive and inexpensive dengue diagnostic tools that can be used for clinical management, surveillance and outbreak investigations would permit early intervention to treat patients and prevent or control epidemics. Additionally, new techniques for the early detection of severe disease such as the use of biomarkers have the potential to decrease morbidity and mortality. Recent developments in rapid detection technologies offer the promise of improved diagnostics for case management and the early detection of dengue outbreaks. This short review summarizes the various diagnostics tests currently pursued

Smoke saturated water promoted in vitro seed germination of an epiphytic orchid Oberonia ensiformis (Rees) Lindl.

This study highlights for the first time an in vitro seed germination of an epiphytic orchid Oberonia ensiformis (Rees) Lindl, from the Western Ghat Forest of Karnataka state,India promoted by smoke saturated water (SSW). High percentage germination (85%) andhigh percentage of plantlet recovery (73%) was achieved by culturing seeds on Mitra et al.(1976) basal medium supplemented with 10% (v/v) SSW. Well-rooted shoots weretransferred to pots containing charcoal chips, coconut husk and broken tiles (2:2:1) and 90%survived. Therefore, the role of SSW as a natural growth regulator at different stages ofdevelopment from seed germination to plant regeneration has been confirmed

Recent advances in plant derived vaccine antigens against human infectious diseases

The use of plants for the production of vaccine is one of the important applications in the modern medicine. There are many advantages of using plants as the production system compared to traditional mammalian system. Many plant species have been exploited to accumulate vaccine antigens for human infectious diseases, and vaccine candidates are approaching the market. The transgenic plants are considered as cheap source and found alternative approach to fermentation for large-scale production of vaccine antigens. The autotrophic growth of plants requires only soil minerals, water, nitrogen, sunlight energy for the synthesis of vaccine antigens. Therefore, vaccine production by using plants is one of the cheap and efficient technologies. This review covers the recent advances of plant derived vaccine antigens for the prevention of human infectious diseases and focuses on the current methods

Factors influencing cloning mature trees of conifers

At present an embryogenic system derived from vegetative shoot apices or secondaryneedles of mature pines have been well established in at least a few conifers. This is themajor breakthrough in forest biotechnology, and certainly solves the current problems oftree breeding. During cloning of mature conifers, isolated somatic cells under any externalstress conditions of cold/heat or chemical are induced to form a somatic embryo. Cloning ofmature conifers was influenced by many factors such as pH, carbohydrate source, plantgrowth regulators, and activated charcoal. The embryogenic cells are very important becausethey differentiate, and undergo cleavage polyembryony to form somatic embryos at a latertime in conifers

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles from in vitro derived plants and callus cultures of Costus speciosus (Koen.); Assessment of antibacterial activity

This study demonstrates for the first time the efficiencies of in vitro derived plantsand callus cultures of Costus speciosus extract in the rapid biosynthesis of stable silve rnanoparticles. Synthesis of silver nanoparticles may be influenced directly or indirectly byphytochemicals in plants such as phenolics, flavonoids, and diosgenin compounds. Thisstudy also highlights a cost effective and environment friendly technique for green synthesisof silver nanoparticles. These silver nanoparticles were found to be highly toxic againstdifferent multi drug resistant clinical samples such as gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, and the gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. This also provides evidence for developing large scale commercial productionof value-added products for biomedical / nanotechnology based industries, which is animportant step in the field of application of nanotechnology