6 research outputs found
Laser-based ion doping is a suitable alternative to dope biologically active ions into colloidal bioglass nanoparticles
Bioactive glass nanoparticles (nBGs) have demonstrated promising properties for bone regeneration due to their bone-binding ability. Incorporating multiple ions into nBGs can improve their bioactivity and provide them with additional functionalities aiding bone repair. However, incorporating multiple ions into nBGs combining different functionalities is still challenging as the additional ions often interfere with the nanoparticle properties. To overcome these challenges, here we report the use of pulsed laser doping and co-doping techniques as an alternative method for ion incorporation into colloidal nBGs. We demonstrate the simultaneous laser-induced incorporation of iron (Fe), strontium (Sr), and/or copper (Cu) ions into nBGs from simple salt solutions without altering the particles' morphology. Furthermore, laser-doped nBGs were biocompatible and could significantly increase alkaline phosphatase (ALP) production in human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSC). Moreover, laser-co-doped nBGs containing Fe and Sr ions significantly increased vessel formation by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Therefore, pulsed laser doping in liquids was shown to be a versatile technique to incorporate multiple ions into nBGs and allow systematic studies on cooperative effects of dopants in active biomaterials
Recent developments in Lablab purpureus genomics: A focus on drought stress tolerance and use of genomic resources to develop stress-resilient varieties
This research article published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2021Drought is a major climatic challenge that contributes significantly to the decline of
food productivity. One of the strategies to overcome this challenge is the use of
drought-tolerant crops with a wide range of benefits. Lablab is a leguminous crop
that has been showing high promise to drought tolerance. It is reported to have
higher drought resilience compared with the commonly cultivated legumes such as
common beans and cowpeas. Because of its great genetic diversity, Lablab can
withstand high temperature and low rainfall, unlike other related crops. On top of
that, it is grown for multitudes of purposes including food, forages, conservation
agriculture, and improved soil fertility. To enhance its production and benefits during
the present effects of climate change, it is crucial to develop improved varieties that
would overcome the challenge of drought stress. In the past years, there have been
several reviews on Lablab based on origin, domestication, characterization, utilization,
germplasm conservation, some cultivation constraints, and conventional breeding
with limitations on the genomic exploitation of the crop for drought tolerance.
Conventional breeding is the major breeding technique for many Lablab cultivars.
The integration of genomic, physiological, biochemical, and molecular approaches
would be required to develop drought-tolerant cultivars of Lablab. In this review, we
discuss recent developments in Lablab genomics with a focus on drought stress
tolerance and the use of genomic resources to develop stress-resilient varieties