ESTs in Plants: Where Are We Heading?

Expressed sequence tags (ESTs) are the most important resources for transcriptome exploration. Next-generation sequencing technologies have been generating gigabytes of genetic codes representing genes, partial and whole genomes most of which are EST datasets. Niche of EST in plants for breeding, regulation of gene expression through miRNA studies, and their application for adapting to climatic changes are discussed. Some of the recent tools for analysis of EST exclusive to plants are listed out. Systems biology though in its infancy in plants has influenced EST mapping for unraveling gene regulatory circuits, which is illustrated with a few significant examples. This review throws a glance at the evolving role of ESTs in plants

Agronomic practices for the production of Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum Santapau & Fernandes) in India

308-313Dried roots of Chlorophytum borivilianum Santapau & Fernandes (Family-Liliaceae), popularly known as safed musli in trade in India, is considered as wonder drug in Indian systems of medicine (Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha) due to its aphrodisiac and sex tonic properties. Because of great therapeutic importance, safed musli roots are the major constituents of more than 100 Ayurvedic formulations (Oudhia, 2000)

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Not AvailablePlasmids containing Rhizobium meliloti symbiotic promoters P1 (promoter of nifHDK) and P2 (promoter of fixABCX) when mobilized into the cells of Azorhizobium caulinodans strain IRBG 46 showed strong expression of these promoters under free-living microaerobic as well as symbiotic conditions. Under free-living conditions microaerobiosis (3% or less O2) was found to be sufficient to activate these promoters; expression being higher at 1% than at 3% O2 concentration. Under symbiotic conditions the expression was much more stronger-with bacteroids in stem nodules showing higher expression than those in root nodules. Under both the conditions expression of the promoters in the native R. meliloti strain Rm102F34 was lower than that in the A. caulinodans strain IRBG 46. The results suggest a functional homology of these promoters in the heterologous background of A. caulinodans.Not Availabl