Public perception of plant gene technologies worldwide in the light of food security

Achieving global food security is becoming increasingly challenging and many stakeholders around the world are searching for new ways to reach this demanding goal. Here we demonstrate examples of genetically modified and genome edited plants introduced to the market in different world regions. Transgenic crops are regulated based on the characteristics of the product in many countries including the United States and Canada, while the European Union, India, China, and others regulate process-based i.e., on how the product was made. We also present the public perception of state-of-the-art plant gene technologies in different regions of the world in the past 20 years. The results of literature analysis show that the public in Europe and North America is more familiar with the notion of genome editing and genetically modified organisms than the public in other world regionspublishedVersio

Evaluation of the possible contribution of various regulatory genes to determination of carpel number as a potential mechanism for optimal agricultural yield

Various regulatory genes encoding transcription factors and miRNAs regulate carpel number. Multicarpelly is normally associated with increased size of the floral meristem, and several genetic factors have been discovered that influence this characteristic. A fundamental understanding of the regulatory genes affecting carpel number can facilitate strategies for agricultural yield improvement, which is crucial, given that the global population is growing rapidly. A multicarpellate plant may provide a significantly higher yield than a plant bearing fewer carpels. Higher yields can be achieved via various means; in this review, we provide an overview of the current knowledge of the various regulatory factors that contribute to multicarpelly and the potential of increasing carpel number to achieve an increased yield

Ornamental Exterior versus Therapeutic Interior of Madagascar Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus): The Two Faces of a Versatile Herb

Catharanthus roseus (L.) known as Madagascar periwinkle (MP) is a legendary medicinal plant mostly because of possessing two invaluable antitumor terpenoid indole alkaloids (TIAs), vincristine and vinblastine. The plant has also high aesthetic value as an evergreen ornamental that yields prolific blooms of splendid colors. The plant possesses yet another unique characteristic as an amiable experimental host for the maintenance of the smallest bacteria found on earth, the phytoplasmas and spiroplasmas, and serves as a model for their study. Botanical information with respect to synonyms, vernacular names, cultivars, floral morphology, and reproduction adds to understanding of the plant while the geography and ecology of periwinkle illustrate the organism’s ubiquity. Good agronomic practices ensure generous propagation of healthy plants that serve as a source of bioactive compounds and multitudinous horticultural applications. The correlation between genetic diversity, variants, and TIA production exists. MP is afflicted with a whole range of diseases that have to be properly managed. The ethnobotanical significance of MP is exemplified by its international usage as a traditional remedy for abundant ailments and not only for cancer. TIAs are present only in micro quantities in the plant and are highly poisonous per se rendering a challenge for researchers to increase yield and reduce toxicity

Public perception of plant gene technologies worldwide in the light of food security

Achieving global food security is becoming increasingly challenging and many stakeholders around the world are searching for new ways to reach this demanding goal. Here we demonstrate examples of genetically modified and genome edited plants introduced to the market in different world regions. Transgenic crops are regulated based on the characteristics of the product in many countries including the United States and Canada, while the European Union, India, China and others regulate process-based i.e. on how the product was made. We also present the public perception of state-of-the-art plant gene technologies in different regions of the world in the past 20 years. The results of literature analysis show that the public in Europe and North America is more familiar with the notion of genome editing and genetically modified organisms than the public in other world regions

Assessment of the immunogenicity of residual host cell protein impurities of OsrHSA

<div><p>Human serum albumin (HSA) is the most abundant protein in human plasma and is widely used at high doses for treating various diseases. Recombinant HSA is an alternative approach to plasma-derived HSA, providing increased safety and an unlimited supply. However, the safety of the residual host cell proteins (HCPs) co-purified with <i>Oryza sativa</i> HSA (OsrHSA) remains to be determined. An animal system was used to assess the immunogenicity of OsrHSA and its residual HCPs. Low immunogenicity and immunotoxicity of the residual HCPs at a dose of 25 μg/kg, equivalent to 25 times the clinical dosage of HSA, were observed. An anti-drug-antibody (ADA) analysis revealed that anti-HSA, anti-OsrHSA or anti-HCP antibodies developed with a low frequency in pHSA and OsrHSA treatments, but the titers were as low as 1.0–2.0. Furthermore, the titer and the incidence of the specific antibodies were not significantly different between the pHSA and OsrHSA groups, indicating that OsrHSA presents similar immunogenicity to that of pHSA. More importantly, no cytokines were stimulated after the administration of OsrHSA and the residual HCPs, suggesting that there was no risk of a cytokine storm. These results demonstrated that the residual HCPs from OsrHSA have low immunogenicity, indicating that the rice endosperm is one of the best hosts for plant molecular pharming.</p></div

The titers and incidence of antibodies against OsrHSA, pHSA and HCP.

<p>The titers and incidence of antibodies against OsrHSA, pHSA and HCP.</p

The incidence of pathological changes in target organs in different treatments at D15 and D42.

<p>The incidence of pathological changes in target organs in different treatments at D15 and D42.</p

The changes in CRP, CIC and C3 levels at D15 and D42.

<p>Panel A is CRP, panel B is CIC, and panel C is C3. Data are presented as the mean ± SD (n = 5); "*" Indicates a statistically significant difference according to ANOVA and Dunnett’s test (<i>P</i>≤0.05).</p

The changes in T-lymphocyte subsets at D15 and D42.

<p>Panel A shows CD4+ T cells, panel B shows CD8+ T cells, and panel C shows the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T cells. The data are presented as the mean ± SD (n = 5). "*" Indicates a statistically significant difference according to ANOVA and Dunnett’s test (<i>P</i>≤0.05).</p