Preeti Sirohi | Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (original) (raw)

Papers by Preeti Sirohi

AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY, 2011

Salinity is one of the major abiotic constraints for crop management in irrigated as well as rain... more Salinity is one of the major abiotic constraints for crop management in irrigated as well as rainfed areas and results to poor harvests. The yield reduction in salt affected soils can be overcome by soil reclamation or by improving salt tolerance in crops. The saline soils can be reclaimed by leaching the salt and cultivation of salt tolerance crops. Rice is known as a good reclamation crop. Salt tolerance is a complex polygenic trait. Insufficient knowledge about mechanism of its inheritance results to slow progress in its introgression into target crops. The role of traditional as well as marker assisted breeding approaches has been discussed for introgression of salt tolerance in crops in order to obtain better harvests.

ObjectiveIn the present study, we green synthesized ZnO NPs (zinc oxide nanoparticles) from Senna... more ObjectiveIn the present study, we green synthesized ZnO NPs (zinc oxide nanoparticles) from Senna occidentalis leaf extract which were subsequently assessed for their cytotoxic and antioxidant activity on colon cancer SW480 cell line.Results Zinc oxide nanoparticles were characterized by using UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Particle size analyzer (PSA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDS) and atomic force microscope (AFM) analysis. The PSA, XRD and AFM showed 20-50 nm size and nearly cuboidal and irregular shaped of the ZnO NPs. The synthesized ZnO nanoparticles were evaluated for their anticancer activity on human colon cancer cell line (SW480) by using MTT and neutral red uptake assay. The SW480 colon cancer cells were treated with various concentrations of ZnO NPs in the range of 20–100 µg/ml for 2 hrs. The result showed that ZnO NPs could reduce cell viability of SW4...

Micronutrients are crucial for plant development and play a significant role in balanced crop nut... more Micronutrients are crucial for plant development and play a significant role in balanced crop nutrition. The micronutrients, viz. zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn), are essential for plants and humans that are directly or indirectly dependent on plants. These essential mineral elements regulate crucial cellular processes, viz. respiration (Fe and Cu), photosynthesis (Fe, Cu and Mn), and transcription (Zn). The uptake, distribution and storage of micronutrients under physiological conditions should be tightly regulated to guarantee optimum metabolic rates and to evade excessive toxic levels. Variation in the equilibrium of uptake, transport or storage of these nutrients can severely impair cellular metabolism and distress plant development and growth. The micronutrient uptake from the environment, its distribution to several organs and tissues, and subcellular compartmentalisation require the metal to cross various membranes. The intracellular compartments are link...

Cancer is an alarming disease and quite lethal in nature in developed and developing nations. Man... more Cancer is an alarming disease and quite lethal in nature in developed and developing nations. Many new therapeutic agents and therapies are available in the market but have some severe side effects on human beings’ organs. These therapeutic agents are quite costly and not easily available in some of the developing nations. Various scientific reports have shown that chemoprevention through naturally derived herbal and dietary phytochemicals is an innovative therapeutic tool against different cancer types. These herbal phytochemicals have shown their potential anticancer activity in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Further, many of them have been successfully proved for their chemopreventive property by inducing apoptosis equivalent to certain other chemical drugs without causing any side effects. The combinational role of herbal and dietary phytochemicals has proved to be very effective against cancer prevention. The present chapter summarised the effectiveness of herbal and dietar...

Biotechnology Letters

The Cas9 nuclease initiates double-stranded breaks at the target position in DNA, which are repai... more The Cas9 nuclease initiates double-stranded breaks at the target position in DNA, which are repaired by the intracellular restoration pathways to eliminate or insert pieces of DNA. CRISPR-Cas9 is proficient and cost-effective since cutting is guided by a piece of RNA instead of protein. Emphasis on this technology, in contrast with two recognized genome editing platforms (i.e., ZFNs and TALENs), is provided. This review evaluates the benefits of chemically synthesized gRNAs as well as the integration of chemical amendments to improve gene editing efficiencies. CRISPR is an indispensable means in biological investigations and is now as well transforming varied fields of biotechnology and agriculture. Recent advancement in targetable epigenomic-editing tools allows researchers to dispense direct functional and transcriptional significance to locus-explicit chromatin adjustments encompassing gene regulation and editing. An account of diverse sgRNA design tools is provided, principally on their target competence prediction model, off-target recognition algorithm, and generation of instructive annotations. The modern systems that have been utilized to deliver CRISPR-Cas9 in vivo and in vitro for crop improvement viz. nutritional enhancement, production of drought-tolerant and disease-resistant plants, are also highlighted. The conclusion is focused on upcoming directions, biosafety concerns, and expansive prospects of CRISPR technologies.

Journal of Genetics

Meta-analysis provides a systematic access to the previously studied microarray datasets that can... more Meta-analysis provides a systematic access to the previously studied microarray datasets that can recognize several common signatures of stresses. Three different datasets of abiotic stresses on rice were used for meta-analysis. These microarray datasets were normalized to regulate data for technical variation, as opposed to biological differences between the samples. A t-test was performed to recognize the differentially-expressed genes (DEGs) between stressed and normal samples. Gene ontology enrichment analysis revealed the functional distribution of DEGs in different stressed conditions. Further analysis was carried out using software RICE NET DB and divided into three different categories: biological process (homoiothermy and protein amino acid phosphorylation), cellular component (nucleus and membrane), and molecular function (zinc ion binding ad DNA binding). The study revealed that 5686 genes were constantly expressed differentially in Oryza sativa (2089 upregulated and 3597 downregulated). The lowest P value (P = 0.003756) among upregulated DEGs was observed for naringenin, 2-oxoglutrate 3-dioxygenase protein. The lowest P value (P = 0.002866816) among the downregulated DEGs was also recorded for retrotransposon protein. The network constructed from 48 genes revealed 10 hub genes that are connected with topological genes. These hub genes are stress responsive genes that may also be regarded as the marker genes for drought stress response. Our study reported a new set of hub genes (reference genes) that have potentially significant role in development of stress tolerant rice.

Journal of Biotechnology

Oryza sativa L. (Rice) agrain crop grown considerably in areas frequented with abiotic stresses h... more Oryza sativa L. (Rice) agrain crop grown considerably in areas frequented with abiotic stresses has a higher heat and drought tolerance and is deemed a model crop for tolerance studies. Manifold environment testing facilitates recognition of constant genotypes of rice mutants for adverse abiotic stress conditions.Mutants are an imperative genetic reserve which can help as an informative basis of natural disparity.We assessed EMS induced early flowering rice mutants (Control, BM6, BM6´ and BM9) for potential study of stress tolerance under limited water, salinity and high zinc conditions by testing for plant growth (biophysical and biochemical) traits, as well ascytotoxicity and genotoxicity determination assay via MTT and epifluoresence microscopy methods in root tissues of the mutants. Environmental effect was more significant than genotypic contribution on biophysical and biochemical parameters.BM9 mutant was found to be the most stable genotype in tolerance studies among other mutants in artificially created stress environments viz. mannitol (moderated drought), sodium chloride (salinity stress), zinc sulfate (heavy metal stress) and zinc oxide nanoparticles for a time duration. These mutants are a valuable resource for varietal advancements and to determine genes for tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses. To our knowledge this is the first account on validation of manifold abiotic stresses in early flowering rice mutants. This study can additionally assist fastidious detection of stress-tolerance genes in this vital crop.

Current microbiology, Jan 20, 2018

The antibiotic resistance in bacteria responsible for causing community and health care-associate... more The antibiotic resistance in bacteria responsible for causing community and health care-associated infection displayed a major threat to global health. Use of broad-spectrum antibiotics for the treatment of various ailments poses serious side effects. In the present research, we investigated the combined role of 2% phytic acid with 2% methanolic seed extract of Syzygium cumini and 0.5% sodium chloride for inhibition of Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and found it to be efficient over B. subtilis. The zone of inhibition by present mixture was found to be 2.9 ± 0.0004 and 1.9 ± 0.0006 cm against Bacillus subtilis and P. aeruginosa in comparison to individual component. Mixture was found more potent against B. subtilis and selected for further study. The underlying mechanism involved in inhibitory action of this mixture was determined by Scanning electron microscope, DNA fragmentation and propidium iodide staining. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that inhibition of B...

AMB Express, Jan 2, 2017

Phytochemicals of Syzygium cumini are used for the treatment of various diseases as a traditional... more Phytochemicals of Syzygium cumini are used for the treatment of various diseases as a traditional medicine but the mechanism behind their action is not well reported. Antimicrobial activity of methanolic seed extract of S. cumini was done by agar well diffusion assay on Bacillus subtilis and its zone of inhibition was found to be 20.06 mm in comparison to control having no zone of inhibition. MIC of S. cumini was found to be 0.3 mg/ml. Genomic DNA degradation of B. subtilis reveals apoptosis and FE-scanning electron microscope indicates cell wall cracking on several intervals of time. Results of propidium iodide staining showed few bacterial cells were stained in control; however population of stained cells increased after exposing them for varying period of time. Flow cytometric kinetic data analysis on the membrane permeabilization in bacterial cell showed the significant contribution of antimicrobial potential of the seed extract on antimicrobial-induced permeabilization. In sili...

Journal of Plant Biology

Overall transcriptomic activity of an organism is determined not only by its genetic makeup but a... more Overall transcriptomic activity of an organism is determined not only by its genetic makeup but also by epigenetic regulations. Reprogramming by epigenetic modification triggered by various environmental challenges contributes to the phenotypic diversity and defense against these challenges. Different stresses acts as stimulus and changes genic expression level by various mechanisms namely DNA methylation, histone modifications and miRNA. Epigenetics is a continuously progressing branch since the past two decades. Improvement of crop varieties with traditional breeding methods is tedious, time consuming, expensive and is unable to meet progressive living standards and demand in today’s world whereas epigenetics holds great potential for the improvement of plant varieties with respect to yield and nutritional quality by creation of novel epialleles, transgenic RNAi. RNA interference has been used for the improvement of several crops like barley, wheat, soybean etc by reduction of various anti-nutritive factors or enhancement of flavor. Silencing of Omega–3 fatty acid desaturase gene is achieved using RNAi technology for the reduction of linoleic acid and improvement of flavor. HvTX1 from barley shows increased expression during drought stress indicating its active role in drought tolerance which further can be exploited for the development of improved crop variety with increased drought tolerance. Also multiple HAT genes in rice are reported to be actively expressed under heat and water stress. Studies of epigenetic responses to different stresses can increase our understanding of plant stress adaptation and mechanism underlying them which can be further exploited for the development of improved crop varieties.

RNA Interference, 2016

RNA interference (RNAi), an evolutionarily conserved mechanism triggered by doublestranded RNA (d... more RNA interference (RNAi), an evolutionarily conserved mechanism triggered by doublestranded RNA (dsRNA), causes gene silencing in a sequence-specific manner. RNAi evolved naturally to mediate protection from both endogenous and exogenous pathogenic nucleic acids and to modulate gene expression. Multiple technological advancements and precision in gene targeting have allowed a plethora of potential applications, ranging from targeting infections in crop plants to improving health in human patients, which have been reviewed in this chapter.

Bacillus related microbes are mainly found in the severe cases of foodborne infection and many ot... more Bacillus related microbes are mainly found in the severe cases of foodborne infection and many other lethal diseases. Few herbal medicines are effective against Bacillus licheniformis, but their mechanism of action is not reported. The antimicrobial potential of herbal extract from Clerodendrum phlomidis (n-hexane and dichloromethane extract) was assessed by well diffusion assay which showed a zone of inhibition of 19 and 15.5 mm respectively. Underlying mechanism of action behind the n-hexane and dichloromethane extract of C. phlomidis is reported by an in vitro study over Bacillus licheniformis through FACS, SEM, and DNA fragmentation analysis. Fluorescent activated cell sorting was done to determine membrane potential disruption caused by extracts that revealed dichloromethane has more activity for membrane potential disruption. The SEM analysis of bacteria showed irregular structure in cell wall, blebbing and leakage of cellular contents and disruption of membrane. DNA fragmenta...

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The present communication is aimed to find out determinants of molecular marker based classificat... more The present communication is aimed to find out determinants of molecular marker based classification of rice (Oryza sativa L) germplasm using the available data from an experiment conducted for development of molecular fingerprints of diverse varieties of Basmati and non Basmati rice adapted to irrigated and aerobic agro-eco systems. The distance-matrix based dendrogram was developed following UPGMA method that grouped all the 44 varieties agro-eco systems wise. We examined the clustering of Basmati and non-Basmati varieties in detail. The results suggest that the easily distinguishable simple characters viz. plant height, photosensitivity, leaf color, awn's color, awns' number etc., governed by major genes did not contribute significantly towards classification of rice genotypes used. The complex characters such as adaptation to agro-eco systems and rice quality may play vital role in determination of molecular marker based classification of rice genotypes.

AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

The present communication is aimed to find out determinants of molecular marker based classificat... more The present communication is aimed to find out determinants of molecular marker based classification of rice (Oryza sativa L) germplasm using the available data from an experiment conducted for development of molecular fingerprints of diverse varieties of Basmati and non Basmati rice adapted to irrigated and aerobic agro-eco systems. The distance-matrix based dendrogram was developed following UPGMA method that grouped all the 44 varieties agro-eco systems wise. We examined the clustering of Basmati and non- Basmati varieties in detail. The results suggest that the easily distinguishable simple characters viz. plant height, photosensitivity, leaf color, awn’s color, awns’ number etc., governed by major genes did not contribute significantly towards classification of rice genotypes used. The complex characters such as adaptation to agro-eco systems and rice quality may play vital role in determination of molecular marker based classification of rice genotypes.

AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

One hundred and twenty two (122) genotypes of Basmati and non-Basmati Indica rice genotypes were ... more One hundred and twenty two (122) genotypes of Basmati and non-Basmati Indica rice genotypes were evaluated for expression of resistance against blast disease under induced epiphytotic conditions. Disease severity (%) and area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) parameters were used for screening the blast resistance. Only 13 genotypes expressed resistance against the blast disease. Nine genotypes carried blast resistance genes but, were susceptible under induced epiphytotic conditions. The rice genotype VLD-61 had no resistance genes; however, it expressed strong resistance against blast. An empirical breeding strategy for development of blast resistant improved varieties of rice was also discussed.

AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY, 2011

Salinity is one of the major abiotic constraints for crop management in irrigated as well as rain... more Salinity is one of the major abiotic constraints for crop management in irrigated as well as rainfed areas and results to poor harvests. The yield reduction in salt affected soils can be overcome by soil reclamation or by improving salt tolerance in crops. The saline soils can be reclaimed by leaching the salt and cultivation of salt tolerance crops. Rice is known as a good reclamation crop. Salt tolerance is a complex polygenic trait. Insufficient knowledge about mechanism of its inheritance results to slow progress in its introgression into target crops. The role of traditional as well as marker assisted breeding approaches has been discussed for introgression of salt tolerance in crops in order to obtain better harvests.

ObjectiveIn the present study, we green synthesized ZnO NPs (zinc oxide nanoparticles) from Senna... more ObjectiveIn the present study, we green synthesized ZnO NPs (zinc oxide nanoparticles) from Senna occidentalis leaf extract which were subsequently assessed for their cytotoxic and antioxidant activity on colon cancer SW480 cell line.Results Zinc oxide nanoparticles were characterized by using UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Particle size analyzer (PSA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDS) and atomic force microscope (AFM) analysis. The PSA, XRD and AFM showed 20-50 nm size and nearly cuboidal and irregular shaped of the ZnO NPs. The synthesized ZnO nanoparticles were evaluated for their anticancer activity on human colon cancer cell line (SW480) by using MTT and neutral red uptake assay. The SW480 colon cancer cells were treated with various concentrations of ZnO NPs in the range of 20–100 µg/ml for 2 hrs. The result showed that ZnO NPs could reduce cell viability of SW4...

Micronutrients are crucial for plant development and play a significant role in balanced crop nut... more Micronutrients are crucial for plant development and play a significant role in balanced crop nutrition. The micronutrients, viz. zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn), are essential for plants and humans that are directly or indirectly dependent on plants. These essential mineral elements regulate crucial cellular processes, viz. respiration (Fe and Cu), photosynthesis (Fe, Cu and Mn), and transcription (Zn). The uptake, distribution and storage of micronutrients under physiological conditions should be tightly regulated to guarantee optimum metabolic rates and to evade excessive toxic levels. Variation in the equilibrium of uptake, transport or storage of these nutrients can severely impair cellular metabolism and distress plant development and growth. The micronutrient uptake from the environment, its distribution to several organs and tissues, and subcellular compartmentalisation require the metal to cross various membranes. The intracellular compartments are link...

Cancer is an alarming disease and quite lethal in nature in developed and developing nations. Man... more Cancer is an alarming disease and quite lethal in nature in developed and developing nations. Many new therapeutic agents and therapies are available in the market but have some severe side effects on human beings’ organs. These therapeutic agents are quite costly and not easily available in some of the developing nations. Various scientific reports have shown that chemoprevention through naturally derived herbal and dietary phytochemicals is an innovative therapeutic tool against different cancer types. These herbal phytochemicals have shown their potential anticancer activity in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Further, many of them have been successfully proved for their chemopreventive property by inducing apoptosis equivalent to certain other chemical drugs without causing any side effects. The combinational role of herbal and dietary phytochemicals has proved to be very effective against cancer prevention. The present chapter summarised the effectiveness of herbal and dietar...

Biotechnology Letters

The Cas9 nuclease initiates double-stranded breaks at the target position in DNA, which are repai... more The Cas9 nuclease initiates double-stranded breaks at the target position in DNA, which are repaired by the intracellular restoration pathways to eliminate or insert pieces of DNA. CRISPR-Cas9 is proficient and cost-effective since cutting is guided by a piece of RNA instead of protein. Emphasis on this technology, in contrast with two recognized genome editing platforms (i.e., ZFNs and TALENs), is provided. This review evaluates the benefits of chemically synthesized gRNAs as well as the integration of chemical amendments to improve gene editing efficiencies. CRISPR is an indispensable means in biological investigations and is now as well transforming varied fields of biotechnology and agriculture. Recent advancement in targetable epigenomic-editing tools allows researchers to dispense direct functional and transcriptional significance to locus-explicit chromatin adjustments encompassing gene regulation and editing. An account of diverse sgRNA design tools is provided, principally on their target competence prediction model, off-target recognition algorithm, and generation of instructive annotations. The modern systems that have been utilized to deliver CRISPR-Cas9 in vivo and in vitro for crop improvement viz. nutritional enhancement, production of drought-tolerant and disease-resistant plants, are also highlighted. The conclusion is focused on upcoming directions, biosafety concerns, and expansive prospects of CRISPR technologies.

Journal of Genetics

Meta-analysis provides a systematic access to the previously studied microarray datasets that can... more Meta-analysis provides a systematic access to the previously studied microarray datasets that can recognize several common signatures of stresses. Three different datasets of abiotic stresses on rice were used for meta-analysis. These microarray datasets were normalized to regulate data for technical variation, as opposed to biological differences between the samples. A t-test was performed to recognize the differentially-expressed genes (DEGs) between stressed and normal samples. Gene ontology enrichment analysis revealed the functional distribution of DEGs in different stressed conditions. Further analysis was carried out using software RICE NET DB and divided into three different categories: biological process (homoiothermy and protein amino acid phosphorylation), cellular component (nucleus and membrane), and molecular function (zinc ion binding ad DNA binding). The study revealed that 5686 genes were constantly expressed differentially in Oryza sativa (2089 upregulated and 3597 downregulated). The lowest P value (P = 0.003756) among upregulated DEGs was observed for naringenin, 2-oxoglutrate 3-dioxygenase protein. The lowest P value (P = 0.002866816) among the downregulated DEGs was also recorded for retrotransposon protein. The network constructed from 48 genes revealed 10 hub genes that are connected with topological genes. These hub genes are stress responsive genes that may also be regarded as the marker genes for drought stress response. Our study reported a new set of hub genes (reference genes) that have potentially significant role in development of stress tolerant rice.

Journal of Biotechnology

Oryza sativa L. (Rice) agrain crop grown considerably in areas frequented with abiotic stresses h... more Oryza sativa L. (Rice) agrain crop grown considerably in areas frequented with abiotic stresses has a higher heat and drought tolerance and is deemed a model crop for tolerance studies. Manifold environment testing facilitates recognition of constant genotypes of rice mutants for adverse abiotic stress conditions.Mutants are an imperative genetic reserve which can help as an informative basis of natural disparity.We assessed EMS induced early flowering rice mutants (Control, BM6, BM6´ and BM9) for potential study of stress tolerance under limited water, salinity and high zinc conditions by testing for plant growth (biophysical and biochemical) traits, as well ascytotoxicity and genotoxicity determination assay via MTT and epifluoresence microscopy methods in root tissues of the mutants. Environmental effect was more significant than genotypic contribution on biophysical and biochemical parameters.BM9 mutant was found to be the most stable genotype in tolerance studies among other mutants in artificially created stress environments viz. mannitol (moderated drought), sodium chloride (salinity stress), zinc sulfate (heavy metal stress) and zinc oxide nanoparticles for a time duration. These mutants are a valuable resource for varietal advancements and to determine genes for tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses. To our knowledge this is the first account on validation of manifold abiotic stresses in early flowering rice mutants. This study can additionally assist fastidious detection of stress-tolerance genes in this vital crop.

Current microbiology, Jan 20, 2018

The antibiotic resistance in bacteria responsible for causing community and health care-associate... more The antibiotic resistance in bacteria responsible for causing community and health care-associated infection displayed a major threat to global health. Use of broad-spectrum antibiotics for the treatment of various ailments poses serious side effects. In the present research, we investigated the combined role of 2% phytic acid with 2% methanolic seed extract of Syzygium cumini and 0.5% sodium chloride for inhibition of Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and found it to be efficient over B. subtilis. The zone of inhibition by present mixture was found to be 2.9 ± 0.0004 and 1.9 ± 0.0006 cm against Bacillus subtilis and P. aeruginosa in comparison to individual component. Mixture was found more potent against B. subtilis and selected for further study. The underlying mechanism involved in inhibitory action of this mixture was determined by Scanning electron microscope, DNA fragmentation and propidium iodide staining. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that inhibition of B...

AMB Express, Jan 2, 2017

Phytochemicals of Syzygium cumini are used for the treatment of various diseases as a traditional... more Phytochemicals of Syzygium cumini are used for the treatment of various diseases as a traditional medicine but the mechanism behind their action is not well reported. Antimicrobial activity of methanolic seed extract of S. cumini was done by agar well diffusion assay on Bacillus subtilis and its zone of inhibition was found to be 20.06 mm in comparison to control having no zone of inhibition. MIC of S. cumini was found to be 0.3 mg/ml. Genomic DNA degradation of B. subtilis reveals apoptosis and FE-scanning electron microscope indicates cell wall cracking on several intervals of time. Results of propidium iodide staining showed few bacterial cells were stained in control; however population of stained cells increased after exposing them for varying period of time. Flow cytometric kinetic data analysis on the membrane permeabilization in bacterial cell showed the significant contribution of antimicrobial potential of the seed extract on antimicrobial-induced permeabilization. In sili...

Journal of Plant Biology

Overall transcriptomic activity of an organism is determined not only by its genetic makeup but a... more Overall transcriptomic activity of an organism is determined not only by its genetic makeup but also by epigenetic regulations. Reprogramming by epigenetic modification triggered by various environmental challenges contributes to the phenotypic diversity and defense against these challenges. Different stresses acts as stimulus and changes genic expression level by various mechanisms namely DNA methylation, histone modifications and miRNA. Epigenetics is a continuously progressing branch since the past two decades. Improvement of crop varieties with traditional breeding methods is tedious, time consuming, expensive and is unable to meet progressive living standards and demand in today’s world whereas epigenetics holds great potential for the improvement of plant varieties with respect to yield and nutritional quality by creation of novel epialleles, transgenic RNAi. RNA interference has been used for the improvement of several crops like barley, wheat, soybean etc by reduction of various anti-nutritive factors or enhancement of flavor. Silencing of Omega–3 fatty acid desaturase gene is achieved using RNAi technology for the reduction of linoleic acid and improvement of flavor. HvTX1 from barley shows increased expression during drought stress indicating its active role in drought tolerance which further can be exploited for the development of improved crop variety with increased drought tolerance. Also multiple HAT genes in rice are reported to be actively expressed under heat and water stress. Studies of epigenetic responses to different stresses can increase our understanding of plant stress adaptation and mechanism underlying them which can be further exploited for the development of improved crop varieties.

RNA Interference, 2016

RNA interference (RNAi), an evolutionarily conserved mechanism triggered by doublestranded RNA (d... more RNA interference (RNAi), an evolutionarily conserved mechanism triggered by doublestranded RNA (dsRNA), causes gene silencing in a sequence-specific manner. RNAi evolved naturally to mediate protection from both endogenous and exogenous pathogenic nucleic acids and to modulate gene expression. Multiple technological advancements and precision in gene targeting have allowed a plethora of potential applications, ranging from targeting infections in crop plants to improving health in human patients, which have been reviewed in this chapter.

Bacillus related microbes are mainly found in the severe cases of foodborne infection and many ot... more Bacillus related microbes are mainly found in the severe cases of foodborne infection and many other lethal diseases. Few herbal medicines are effective against Bacillus licheniformis, but their mechanism of action is not reported. The antimicrobial potential of herbal extract from Clerodendrum phlomidis (n-hexane and dichloromethane extract) was assessed by well diffusion assay which showed a zone of inhibition of 19 and 15.5 mm respectively. Underlying mechanism of action behind the n-hexane and dichloromethane extract of C. phlomidis is reported by an in vitro study over Bacillus licheniformis through FACS, SEM, and DNA fragmentation analysis. Fluorescent activated cell sorting was done to determine membrane potential disruption caused by extracts that revealed dichloromethane has more activity for membrane potential disruption. The SEM analysis of bacteria showed irregular structure in cell wall, blebbing and leakage of cellular contents and disruption of membrane. DNA fragmenta...

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The present communication is aimed to find out determinants of molecular marker based classificat... more The present communication is aimed to find out determinants of molecular marker based classification of rice (Oryza sativa L) germplasm using the available data from an experiment conducted for development of molecular fingerprints of diverse varieties of Basmati and non Basmati rice adapted to irrigated and aerobic agro-eco systems. The distance-matrix based dendrogram was developed following UPGMA method that grouped all the 44 varieties agro-eco systems wise. We examined the clustering of Basmati and non-Basmati varieties in detail. The results suggest that the easily distinguishable simple characters viz. plant height, photosensitivity, leaf color, awn's color, awns' number etc., governed by major genes did not contribute significantly towards classification of rice genotypes used. The complex characters such as adaptation to agro-eco systems and rice quality may play vital role in determination of molecular marker based classification of rice genotypes.

AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

The present communication is aimed to find out determinants of molecular marker based classificat... more The present communication is aimed to find out determinants of molecular marker based classification of rice (Oryza sativa L) germplasm using the available data from an experiment conducted for development of molecular fingerprints of diverse varieties of Basmati and non Basmati rice adapted to irrigated and aerobic agro-eco systems. The distance-matrix based dendrogram was developed following UPGMA method that grouped all the 44 varieties agro-eco systems wise. We examined the clustering of Basmati and non- Basmati varieties in detail. The results suggest that the easily distinguishable simple characters viz. plant height, photosensitivity, leaf color, awn’s color, awns’ number etc., governed by major genes did not contribute significantly towards classification of rice genotypes used. The complex characters such as adaptation to agro-eco systems and rice quality may play vital role in determination of molecular marker based classification of rice genotypes.

AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

One hundred and twenty two (122) genotypes of Basmati and non-Basmati Indica rice genotypes were ... more One hundred and twenty two (122) genotypes of Basmati and non-Basmati Indica rice genotypes were evaluated for expression of resistance against blast disease under induced epiphytotic conditions. Disease severity (%) and area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) parameters were used for screening the blast resistance. Only 13 genotypes expressed resistance against the blast disease. Nine genotypes carried blast resistance genes but, were susceptible under induced epiphytotic conditions. The rice genotype VLD-61 had no resistance genes; however, it expressed strong resistance against blast. An empirical breeding strategy for development of blast resistant improved varieties of rice was also discussed.