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.

Initial degradation of dimethylphthalate by esterases from Bacillus species.

Abstract: Dimethylphthalate (DMP), one of the phthalate esters, is used in the manufacture of plasticizers, insect repellents, and synthetic fibers, and contributes to environmental pollution. In the present study, we report a novel bacterium belonging to the Bacillus sp., which has the ability to utilize DMP as the sole source of carbon. The esterases from the cell-free extract of the Bacillus de-esterified DMP. Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed the presence of four isoesterases designated Et1–4. The isoesterases Et-4 and Et-1 showed a higher preference towards DMP hydrolysis as compared with Et-2 and 3. A megaplasmid of about 60 kb was detected in this bacterium. The ability of this bacterium to utilize DMP as the sole source of carbon was lost upon plasmid curing. The isoesterases Et-1–4 were absent in the cell-free extracts of the cured bacterium. The results from our studies clearly demonstrate that de-esterification is the initial step in the degradation of DMP and the genes for these esterases seem to be harbored on the plasmid in this bacterium.

RNA interference therapeutics for cancer: challenges and opportunities (review).

Abstract: RNA interference (RNAi) is a sequence-specific, post-transcriptional gene silencing mechanism in animals and plants, which is mediated by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). There has recently been an increasing interest in harnessing the gene silencing activity of dsRNA to develop novel drugs for the treatment of various diseases, such as cancer, neuro- logical disorders, age-related macular degeneration and viral infections. Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-based drugs have distinct advantages over conventional small molecule or protein-based drugs, including high specificity, higher potency and reduced toxicity. However, there are several technical obstacles to overcome before siRNA-based drugs reach the clinic. Delivery of siRNA to the target tissues and stability in the serum remain a major challenge and are the main focus of current research and development efforts. This review focused primarily on the progress made in developing RNAi as therapeutics for cancer and the challenges associ- ated with its clinical development. Use of ligands recognizing cell-specific receptors to achieve tumor-specific delivery of siRNA, methods for enhanced siRNA delivery, improving the bioavailability and pharmacokinetic properties of siRNA and reducing the off-target effects and non-specific gene silencing are discussed in the light of current evidence. Contents

New insights into the microbial degradation of polyurethanes

Abstract: Frequent and frequently deliberate release of plastics leads to accumulation of plastic waste in the environment which is an ever increasing ecological threat. Plastic waste represents 20–30% of the total volume of solid waste contained in landfills because in addition to the large amount of waste generated, plastic waste is recalcitrant and remains deposited in these landfills for long periods of time. Paradoxically, the most preferred property of plastics – durability – exerts also the major environmental threat. Polyurethanes (PU) represent a class of polymers that have found widespread use in medical, automotive and industrial fields. The wide use of PUs in our society makes their biodegradation of equal importance to their manufacturing. The balance between creating stable polymers that resist degradation and minimize their potential long-term environmental impact continues to be one of the major issues with the general use of these materials. Despite their microbial resistance, they are susceptible to the attack of fungi and bacteria. Currently, as environmental concerns have become so significant great effort needs to be made to degrade these plastics under environmentally benign conditions. In the present report we seek to highlight the efforts made in the last few years for the degradation of polyurethanes using microorganisms or enzymes.