Assessment of Bt trait purity in different generations of transgenic cottons.

Adequate expression of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) toxins and purity of seeds of Bt-transgenic cottons are important for controlling bollworms, and thereby increasing the cotton productivity. Therefore, we examined the variability in expression of Bt toxin proteins in the seeds and in leaves of different cotton (Gossypium hirsutum (L.) hybrids (JKCH 226, JKCH 1947, JKCH Durga, JKCH Ishwar, JKCH Varun KDCHH 441 and KDCHH 621) expressing Bt toxins in F1 and F2 generations, using bioassays against the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), and the lateral flow strip (LFS) test. Toxicity of Bt toxin proteins in the seeds of Bt-transgenic cottons to H. armigera correlated with their toxicity in the leaves in one-toxin Bt cotton hybrids. The Bt-F1 and Bt-F2 seeds of JKCH 1947 were more toxic to H. armigera than those of JKCH Varun seeds. The seeds and leaves of F1s showed greater toxicity than the F2 seeds or leaves of one-toxin (cry1Ac) Bt cotton hybrids. However, no significant differences were observed for the two-toxin (cry1Ac and cry2Ab) hybrid, KDCHH 621. Toxicity of leaves to H. armigera increased with crop age, until 112 days after seedling emergence. The Bt trait purity in F1 seeds of four two-toxin Bt cotton hybrids ranged from 86.7 to 100%. The present study emphasizes the necessity of 95% Bt trait purity in seeds of transgenic cotton for sustainable crop production.

Evaluation of antibacterial activity of different ganoderma lucidum extracts.

Bioproducts of Mushroom have multi beneficial effects for human welfare. Medicinal mushrooms are widely used as traditional medicinal ingredients for the treatment of various diseases and related health problems. Most of the medicinal extracts from mushroom are different forms of polysaccharides which strengthens the immune system with little or no side effect. Medicinal mushroom research has focused on discovery of compounds that can modulate positively or negatively the biological response of immune cells. The antimicrobial activity of various solvent extracts (40μg/ml) of Ganoderma lucidum was tested against six species of bacteria: Escherichia coli (MTCC-443), Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC-737), Klebsiella pneumoniae (MTCC-2405), Bacillus subtilis (MTCC-1789) Salmonella typhi (MTCC-531) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC-779). Acetone extract exhibited maximum antibacterial activity (31.60±0.10), while the most susceptible bacterium observed was Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Quorum sensing (QS) as etiological phenomenon: the bacterial paradigm.

Signaling mechanisms that govern physiological and morphological responses to change the cell density are common in bacteria. Quorum sensing is signal transduction processes which involves the production and release of and response to hormone-like molecules (auto-inducers) that accumulate in the external environment as the cell population grows. Quorum sensing is found in a wide variety of bacteria, both Gram-positive and Gram-negative and the spectrum of physiological functions that can be regulated is impressive. Variation in the nature of the extra-cellular signal in the signal detection machinery and in the mechanisms of signal transmission demonstrates the evolutionary adaptability of quorum sensing systems for multiple uses.

Stem cells: potential implications for tooth regeneration and tissue engineering in dental science.

Stem Cell has become a booming field for research and therapeutic applications with vast areas yet to be discovered. The pluripotent nature of the stem cells has been studied and used in various scientific fields for curing the disease and regeneration of a body part. Periodontitis, dental caries, craniofacial bone and teeth regeneration are the different areas in dental science which are yet to be studied. Various studies all over the world are going on using stem cells to cure or minimize the pain which a patient goes through diagnosis. This article provides an overview of the different types of stem cells and the different applications of stem cell in dental science.