Department of Biotechnology

About: Department of Biotechnology is a government organization based out in New Delhi, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Silver nanoparticle. The organization has 4800 authors who have published 5033 publications receiving 82022 citations.

In vitro regeneration and bulblet growth from lily bulbscale explants as affected by retardants, sucrose and irradiance

Abstract: Bulbscales of oriental lily hybrid Star Gazer were used as the explants. Bulblets were formed on the basal portion of the excised bulbscales on MS medium supplemented with growth retardants, different sucrose concentrations and exposed to continuous light or dark. Alar, Cycocel and Paclobutrazol in concentration 1 mg dm−3 produced higher number of bulblets as compared to the control. The number of bulblets, however, decreased with the increase in concentration of the growth retardants. The number of bulblets was higher at 90 than at 60 g dm−3 sucrose and when the bulbscales were exposed to continuous light than to darkness. The growth retardants, higher sucrose concentration and continuous dark stimulated fresh mass of bulblets. The number of bulblets having roots and leaves decreased in medium with Alar, Cycocel and Paclobutrazol as compared to the control. A few bulblets produced roots and leaves in medium with 90 g dm−3 sucrose and none of the regenerated bulblets produced leaves under continuous dark.

Search of potential inhibitor against New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1 from a series of antibacterial natural compounds

Abstract: Background: New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1 (NDM-1)-producing Gram-negative bacteria are today's major worldwide health concern. The enzyme NDM-1 provides bacterial resistance by its hydrolytic activity against the β-lactam ring of antibiotics. Inhibition of NDM-1 may prevent the hydrolysis of β-lactam ring of the antibiotics, and therefore, plays an important role against antibacterial resistance. Materials and Methods: Here we made an attempt to design suitable inhibitors against NDM-1 from different natural antibacterial compounds using molecular docking approach. Results: We observed that natural compounds such as Nimbolide and Isomargololone are showing an appreciable IC50 value as well as significant binding energy value for NDM-1. We further observed these compounds showing better affinity to NDM-1 on comparison with 14 β-lactam antibiotics. Conclusion: Finally, our study provides a platform for the development of a potent inhibitor of NDM-1, which may be considered as a potential drug candidate against bacterial resistance.

Role of Reactive Oxygen Species in Cancer Progression

Abstract: Although there are significant improvements in diagnosis and therapeutics tools, cancer remained a major cause of deaths in developing and developed countries. Among others, endogenously or exogenously generating reactive oxygen species (ROSs) are considered a crucial cause for tumor initiation, development, and survival. Unhealthy lifestyle, exposure to various carcinogens, ionizing radiations, and chemotherapy drugs are the main factors for ROS production. Reactive oxygen species cause genetic instability due to DNA damage or mutation load. Exposer to ROS also modulates the expression of various transcription factors such as Sp1, AP1, and NF-κβ implicated in proliferation, metastasis, and cancer stem cell maintenance. It is suggested that ROSs are involved in various cancer-related process including apoptosis, angiogenesis, metastasis, and inflammation. Numerous data from several studies suggest ROS as one of the therapeutic targets for cancer prevention and cure. The current review summarizing the interactions of ROSs with various cellular molecules involved in angiogenesis, metastasis, and inflammation.

Preparation and characterization of ascorbic acid-mediated chitosan–copper oxide nanocomposite for anti-microbial, sporicidal and biofilm-inhibitory activity

Abstract: The chitosan–copper oxide (Chi–CuO) biopolymer nanocomposites were synthesized by a simple green chemistry method using ascorbic acid as a reducing and capping agent. The intense peak around 300 nm was observed in the UV–visible spectrum indicating the formation of CuO nanoparticles. The prepared Chi–CuO nanocomposites were characterized using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). SEM and XRD pattern showed cubic shape for Chi–CuO nanocomposites with average crystalline size of 17 nm, as calculated using Debye–Scherrer’s formula. The FT-IR spectral studies showed the Cu–O bond formation with chitosan to form nanocomposites. Synthesized nanocomposites showed significant anti-microbial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Penicillium notatum, assayed using the agar well diffusion method. It also showed sporicidal activity against B. subtilis and exhibited effective biofilm-inhibitory activity against B. subtilis (69%/100 μg/mL) and P. aeruginosa (63%/100 μg/mL).