Advances In Biotechnology Research Articles

The qualitative and molecular categorization for genetic diversity in Withaniasomnifera (L.) Dunal

Ashwagandha, often known as Indian ginseng, is a popular therapeutic plant in ancient Ayurvedic medicine. Its roots and leaves have adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. Traditional medicine mainly relies on ashwagandha, a powerful medicinal plant with alkaloids and withanolides. This study investigates the genetic diversity and qualitative characteristics of 29 Withania somnifera L. genotypes, using RAPD markers to guide breeding strategies. Plant components from several Indian locations were grown in a randomized block design. Genomic DNA was isolated using a modified C-TAB technique and analyzed with 33 RAPD markers, revealing high variability (PIC values ranging from 0.154 to 0.985). Growth habit, leaf shape and color, flower color, berry color, and root color were among the qualitative qualities found, with intermediate and erect growth styles, mostly ovate leaf forms, and a wide range of leaf and flower colors. Genetic analysis revealed substantial polymorphism, with a UPGMA dendrogram clustering the genotypes into eight distinct groups, indicating diverse genetic backgrounds. The qualitative and molecular characterization of genetic variation in ashwagandha sheds light on the variability and adaptability of this essential therapeutic plant. Understanding and utilizing this variability allows researchers and breeders to improve the conservation, breeding, and long-term usage of ashwagandha, assuring its continued value in traditional medicine and modern pharmacology. This genetic diversity plays an essential role in breeding initiatives aiming to improve production, quality, and stress resilience. The study emphasizes the necessity of leveraging this variety through advanced breeding and biotechnology technologies to create superior Ashwagandha cultivars, maximize their therapeutic value, and assure long-term cultivation.

Marine Ecosystems and Pollution: Intersection of Zoology and Law in Environmental Sustainability

Marine Biowaste, resulting from natural biological processes or human activities, seriously threatens the environment. Sources and impacts of Marine bio waste are discussed, classifying into two broad categories: Organic and Inorganic. Organic biowastes include those from aquaculture, agricultural runoff, industrial discharges, and urban runoff, while inorganic Biowaste include plastics, microplastics, metals, and synthetic materials. Those sources present pollution, habitat destruction, and impacts on marine species, which together drastically close the ecological balances. The role of zoology in Biowaste degradation is important, because it is concerned with the study of organisms responsible for breaking down organic wastes to make nutrients available. Both National and International legislation, such as UNCLOS and MMPA in the United States, provide a legal framework for the protection of Marine ecosystems from pollution and overexploitation. Advances in Marine biotechnology offer novel solutions to problems related to bio waste management, such as algal Biofuels and integrated waste management systems. Synthetically, biology trends, adaptation of climate change, and models of the circular economy provide potential solutions for future research and sustainable practices. This paper gives reasons for full strategies of Biowaste management with a view towards the preservation of Marine ecosystems and assurance of Environmental sustainability.

Cassava breeding: Classical to recent breeding approaches for food, industry and climate resilience

Cassava ranks as the fourth-most significant starchy root crop in underdeveloped countries in terms of future food and acting as a key source of income for small and marginal farmers. To meet the growing demands for food security and economic development, it is imperative to develop improved cassava varieties that offer higher yields, enhanced nutritional content, safer for consumption, greater resistance to diseases and climate change. The development of these improved varieties necessitates advancements in breeding techniques, leveraging both traditional methods and modern biotechnological tools. However, a major challenge in cassava breeding is heterozygous nature and the crop’s sparse flowering, which limits the potential for sexual reproduction, thereby constraining breeding efforts for predominantly clonal selection. The continuous clonal propagation impedes genetic diversity and the introduction of novel traits, narrowing the overall progress of breeding programs. Integrating genomic tools and accelerating the adoption of biotechnological advancements can overcome these limitations and expedite the development of superior cassava varieties. This review highlights the need of cassava breeding for addressing these challenges with conventional as well as with new breeding techniques with the aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current scenario and future directions of cassava breeding research. Key words: Climate change, CRISPR/Cas 9, New breeding techniques, PPD, speed breeding, Waxy cassava

Agroterrorism: Assessing the Growing Threat to Global Food Security and Economic Stability

Agroterrorism, the deliberate introduction of harmful agents into agriculture to cause disease and economic damage, poses a growing threat to global food security and economic stability. Motivated by deep-seated conflicts and often perpetrated by both state and non-state actors, agroterrorism targets livestock, crops and water supplies, aiming to destabilize economies and social systems. Historical incidents, such as the mercury contamination of Jaffa oranges and cyanide-tainted grapes, underscore its severe impact. Recent concerns, intensified by advancements in biotechnology and increasing global trade, highlight the vulnerability of agriculture to such attacks. The potential economic damage from a single agroterrorism incident could reach billions of dollars, exacerbating food shortages and undermining public trust. Effective prevention and preparedness require multi-sectoral cooperation involving law enforcement, agricultural and scientific communities. Strategies include enhancing detection methods, developing biosecurity measures and improving international trade regulations. The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) and related organizations advocate for a comprehensive approach to bolster global resilience against agro-crime and agro-terrorism, emphasizing the need for robust preparedness and inter-agency collaboration to mitigate this evolving threat.

Nitrile hydratase as a promising biocatalyst: recent advances and future prospects.

Amides are an important type of synthetic intermediate used in the chemical, agrochemical, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries. The traditional chemical process of converting nitriles into the corresponding amides is feasible but is restricted because of the harsh conditions required. In recent decades, nitrile hydratase (NHase, EC 4.2.1.84) has attracted considerable attention because of its application in nitrile transformation as a prominent biocatalyst. In this review, we provide a comprehensive survey of recent advances in NHase research in terms of natural distribution, enzyme screening, and molecular modification on the basis of its characteristics and catalytic mechanism. Additionally, industrial applications and recent significant biotechnology advances in NHase bioengineering and immobilization techniques are systematically summarized. Moreover, the current challenges and future perspectives for its further development in industrial applications for green chemistry were also discussed. This study contributes to the current state-of-the-art, providing important technical information for new NHase applications in manufacturing industries.

Resolving the metabolism of monolignols and other lignin-related aromatic compounds in Xanthomonas citri

Lignin, a major plant cell wall component, has an important role in plant-defense mechanisms against pathogens and is a promising renewable carbon source to produce bio-based chemicals. However, our understanding of microbial metabolism is incomplete regarding certain lignin-related compounds like p-coumaryl and sinapyl alcohols. Here, we reveal peripheral pathways for the catabolism of the three main lignin precursors (p-coumaryl, coniferyl, and sinapyl alcohols) in the plant pathogen Xanthomonas citri. Our study demonstrates all the necessary enzymatic steps for funneling these monolignols into the tricarboxylic acid cycle, concurrently uncovering aryl aldehyde reductases that likely protect the pathogen from aldehydes toxicity. It also shows that lignin-related aromatic compounds activate transcriptional responses related to chemotaxis and flagellar-dependent motility, which might play an important role during plant infection. Together our findings provide foundational knowledge to support biotechnological advances for both plant diseases treatments and conversion of lignin-derived compounds into bio-based chemicals.

Advanced DNA Amplification for Efficient Data Storage.

DNA amplification technologies have significantly advanced biotechnology, particularly in DNA storage. However, adaptation of these technologies to DNA storage poses substantial challenges. Key bottlenecks include achieving high throughput to manage large data sets, ensuring rapid and efficient DNA amplification, and minimizing bias to maintain data fidelity. This perspective begins with an overview of natural and artificial amplification strategies, such as polymerase chain reaction and isothermal amplification, highlighting their respective advantages and limitations. It then explores the prospective applications of these techniques in DNA storage, emphasizing the need to optimize protocols for scalability and robustness in handling diverse digital data. Concurrently, we identify promising avenues, including advancements in enzymatic processes and novel amplification methodologies, poised to mitigate existing constraints and propel the field forward. Ultimately, we provide insights into how to utilize advanced DNA amplification strategies poised to revolutionize the efficiency and feasibility of data storage, ushering in enhanced approaches to data retrieval in the digital age.

Multi-level insights into the immuno-oncology-microbiome axis: From biotechnology to novel therapies.

The multifaceted interactions among the immune system, cancer cells and microbial components have established a novel concept of the immuno-oncology-microbiome (IOM) axis. Microbiome sequencing technologies have played a pivotal role in not only analyzing how gut microbiota affect local and distant tumors, but also providing unprecedented insights into the intratumor host-microbe interactions. Herein, we discuss the emerging trends of transiting from bulk-level to single cell- and spatial-level analyses. Moving forward with advances in biotechnology, microbial therapies, including microbiota-based therapies and bioengineering-inspired microbes, will add diversity to the current oncotherapy paradigm.

Role of Probiotics and Prebiotics in Human Health: A Review

Probiotics and prebiotics are essential components in maintaining and enhancing human health, primarily through their beneficial effects on gut microbiota. Probiotics, which are live microorganisms, and prebiotics, which are non-digestible food components, work synergistically to improve digestive health, enhance immune function, and support metabolic health. The historical evolution of probiotics and prebiotics has demonstrated their wide-ranging health benefits, from preventing gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to managing metabolic disorders like obesity and type 2 diabetes. Clinical applications highlight their role in reducing antibiotic-associated diarrhea, enhancing insulin sensitivity, and mitigating symptoms of allergies and autoimmune diseases. However, the field faces significant challenges, including the need for standardization and quality control, addressing individual variability in response, and ensuring safety and efficacy. The lack of uniform regulatory oversight further complicates the assurance of product reliability and effectiveness. Despite these challenges, emerging trends and innovations, such as next-generation probiotics and prebiotics, personalized nutrition based on microbiome profiles, and advances in biotechnology and bioinformatics, offer promising solutions. These advancements are poised to enhance the specificity and effectiveness of probiotic and prebiotic interventions. For example, genetically engineered probiotics and novel prebiotics derived from non-traditional sources are being explored for their unique health benefits. Personalized approaches can optimize dietary recommendations and supplement formulations based on individual gut microbiome compositions. Future research directions should focus on mechanistic studies to elucidate the specific pathways through which probiotics and prebiotics exert their effects, conducting robust and diverse clinical trials, and developing new strains and compounds from diverse sources. Regulatory frameworks need to be established to ensure the safety, efficacy, and quality of these products. By addressing these challenges and leveraging innovative approaches, probiotics and prebiotics can be optimized to provide personalized and effective health solutions, significantly impacting public health. Integrating these functional foods into daily dietary practices holds the potential for a new era of preventive and therapeutic nutrition, enhancing overall health and well-being.

Advances in breeding, biotechnology, and nanotechnological approaches to combat sheath blight disease in rice.

Sheath blight, caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani, is a major problem that significantly impacts rice production and can lead to substantial yield losses. The disease has become increasingly problematic in recent years due to the widespread use of high-yielding semi-dwarf rice cultivars, dense planting, and heavy application of nitrogenous fertilizers. The disease has become more challenging to manage due to its diverse host range and the lack of resistant cultivars. Despite utilizing traditional methods, the problem persists without a satisfactory solution. Therefore, modern approaches, including advanced breeding, transgenic methods, genome editing using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and nanotechnological interventions, are being explored to develop rice plants resistant to sheath blight disease. This review primarily focuses on these recent advancements in combating the sheath blight disease.

Biotechnological frontiers in harnessing allelopathy for sustainable crop production.

Allelopathy, the phenomenon in which plants release biochemical compounds that influence the growth and development of neighbouring plants, presents promising opportunities for revolutionizing agriculture towards sustainability. This abstract explores the role of biotechnological advancements in unlocking the potential of allelopathy for sustainable crop production and its applications in agriculture, ecology, and natural resource management. By combining molecular, genetic, biochemical, and bioinformatic tools, researchers can unravel the complexities of allelopathic interactions and their potential for sustainable crop production and environmental stewardship. The development of novel management methods for weed control is getting a lot of attention with the introduction of new genetic technologies such as Gene drive, Transgene technologies, Gene silencing, Marker-assisted selection (MAS), and Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR-Cas9). By strengthening competitive characteristics these tools hold great promise for boosting crops' ability to compete with weeds. Considering recent literature, this review highlights the genetic, transcriptomics, and metabolomics approaches to allelopathy. Employing allelopathic properties in agriculture offer sustainable benefits like natural weed management, pest management, and reduced chemical pollution, but challenges include environmental factors, toxicity, regulatory hurdles, and limited resources. Effective integration requires continued research, regulatory support, and farmer education​. Also, we aimed to identify the biotechnological domains requiring more investigation and to provide the basis for future advances through this assessment.

Building a Stronger Backbone: 3D Printing's Role in Treating Spinal Cord Conditions

AbstractSpinal cord injuries (SCIs) pose significant challenges as complete nerve regeneration remains limited. The demand for improved technologies in SCI treatment is evident. One such emerging technology is three-dimensional printing (3DP), which, coupled with advancements in medical imaging and bioengineering, has significantly enhanced precision in surgical procedures. This systematic review aims to explore 3DP as a treatment option for SCIs, examining its cost, efficacy, safety, and the associated technological constraints. A systematic search of Medline was conducted through PubMed for literature published since 2019. The search results were exported to Rayyan for abstract and full-text screening following predefined criteria. The risk of bias in the selected studies was assessed using the RoB2 tool and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. From a total of 89 articles screened, 11 studies met the eligibility criteria, collectively assessing 237 individuals with various types of SCIs, including lumbar degeneration, en bloc resection of thoracolumbar metastasis, adult spinal deformity, and cervical degeneration. These studies examined the utilization of 3DP devices such as hand orthosis, interbody fusion cages, lamellar titanium cages, artificial vertebral bodies, and others. Most of the reviewed studies reported positive treatment outcomes, with the actual procedure costs varying from $65 to $5,000. Recent literature shows positive outcomes in the use of 3DP technologies for SCIs, highlighting its potential for enhancing both surgical and nonsurgical interventions. These advancements usher in a new era in SCI treatment, providing enhanced precision and a wider range of treatment options, ultimately leading to more comprehensive and effective patient care.

Next-Gen Public Healthcare: Modeling an Advanced Framework for Diabetes Management

Advancements in biotechnology and public health technologies have significantly increased public health data, aiding early disease detection and prevention, particularly in diabetes, which can lead to serious public health issues. In this study, we propose a novel crow search-driven dynamic random forest for (CS-DRF) for diabetes management reorganization. The goal of this integrated strategy is to enhance diabetes treatment results and diagnosis. The Pima Indian Diabetes (PID) dataset is gathered from open-source Kaggle website for diabetes management. We implement our recommended evaluation technique using Python software. The findings showed that the CS-DRF performed more effectively than the others regarding F1-score-93.25%, accuracy-95.46%, specificity-92.38 %, sensitivity-92.22%, and precision-93.28%. The study's validation results demonstrate how advanced the structure model based on machine learning is in detecting diabetes management.

Time-Hopping Concentration-Position Shift Keying for Multiple Access in Concentration-Encoded Molecular Communication

Molecular communication (MC) represents a paradigm shift in communication technologies, extending beyond traditional electromagnetic methods by incorporating advances in nanotechnology, biotechnology, and communication theory. This innovative approach holds promise for groundbreaking applications in diverse fields such as medicine, military operations, and environmental monitoring. MC employs molecules to carry and transmit data. In concentration-encoded molecular communication (CEMC), information is represented through the concentration levels of the transmitted molecules. In this study, we introduce a novel method named time-hopping concentration-position shift keying (TH-CPSK), designed to facilitate multiple access within MC networks. The TH-CPSK method encodes information based on the position of the transmitted molecular concentration, significantly enhancing the accuracy of data transmission by reducing interference in MC channels. Numerical simulations reveal that an increase in the number of users adversely affects communication performance. Furthermore, our findings indicate that augmenting the number of hops improves communication performance at transmitter-receiver distances of 1 cm and 2 cm. Conversely, at a distance of 3 cm, performance degradation is observed, attributed to the increased complexity. Therefore, it is important to carefully select the number of hops considering the molecular channel’s characteristics. Overall, TH-CPSK can enhance the efficiency and reliability of CEMC systems, offering a significant step forward in the realization of MC’s potential applications.

Advancements in Biotechnology and Stem Cell Therapies for Breast Cancer Patients.

This comprehensive review article examines the integration of biotechnology and stem cell therapy in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. It discusses the use of biotechnological tools such as liquid biopsies, genomic profiling, and imaging technologies for accurate diagnosis and monitoring of treatment response. Stem cell-based approaches, their role in modeling breast cancer progression, and their potential for breast reconstruction post-mastectomy are explored. The review highlights the importance of personalized treatment strategies that combine biotechnological tools and stem cell therapies. Ethical considerations, challenges in clinical translation, and regulatory frameworks are also addressed. The article concludes by emphasizing the potential of integrating biotechnology and stem cell therapy to improve breast cancer outcomes, highlighting the need for continued research and collaboration in this field.

Instantaneous growth: a compact measure of efficient carbon and nitrogen allocation in leaves and roots of C3 and C4 plants.

Elucidating plant functions and identifying crop productivity bottlenecks requires the accurate quantification of their performance. This task has been attained through photosynthetic models. However, their traditional focus on the leaf's capacity to uptake CO2 is becoming increasingly restrictive. Advanced bioengineering of C3 plants has made it possible to increase rates of CO2 assimilation by packing photosynthetic structures more densely within leaves. The operation of mechanisms that concentrate CO2 inside leaves can boost rates of assimilation while requiring a lower investment in carboxylating enzymes. Therefore, whether in the context of spontaneous plants or modern manipulation, considering trade-offs in resource utilization efficiency emerges as a critical necessity. I've developed a concise and versatile analytical model that simulates concurrent leaf and root growth by balancing instantaneous fluxes of carbon and nitrogen. Carbon is made available by leaf photosynthesis, encompassing all types of biochemistries, while nitrogen is either taken up by roots or remobilized after senescence. The allocation of leaf nitrogen between light or carbon reactions was determined using a fitting algorithm: growth maximisation was the only reliable fitting goal. Both the leaf nitrogen pool and the root-to-leaf ratio responded realistically to various environmental drivers (CO2 concentration, light intensity, soil nitrogen), replicating trends typically observed in plants. Furthermore, modifying the strength of CO2 concentrating mechanisms proved sufficient to alter the root-to-leaf ratio between C3 and C4 types. This direct and mechanistic one-to-one link convincingly demonstrates, for the first time, the functional dependence of a morphological trait on a single biochemical property.

Analysing Discrimination based on Genetic Information

This paper analyzes and critiques existing literature on discrimination based on genetic information collected during genetic tests of individuals and the legal issues attached therewith. Genetic variations, which can lower or raise disease risk, result from the inheritance of parental genes. Subjecting individuals to stigmatization based on their unique ancestry or genetic status raises legitimate concerns. The literature review reveals that the issue of discrimination based on genetic information has occurred in countries like the United States and Canada. Accordingly, concerns regarding new forms of discrimination arising from the collection of information during genetic testing have grown over the decades in the wake of technological advancements in biotechnology, health, and allied sciences, as several studies have revealed. On the contrary, more material sufficiency in India necessitates consulting data from various disciplines. A conceptual framework is proposed to examine the theoretical foundations of non-discrimination provisions, compare genetic information non-discrimination legislation in the United States and Canada to India, and evaluate the practicality of implementing such laws in India. The initial testing of this framework suggests that due to insufficient legislation, there may be a need for enforceable measures to mitigate genetic information-related discrimination in India. The research problem requires qualitative research to gain an in-depth comprehension of experiences, phenomena, and context. This paper makes two main contributions: establishing a comprehensive background to allow comparisons by scholars and policymakers on the matter and helping to further the debate on the subject to generate value-based research regarding the ethical, legal, and social impacts of genetic research and anti-discrimination laws.KEYWORDS: Non-discrimination, Genetics and law, Literature review, Genetic discrimination.

Technology for a Food-secure Future: A Review of Technology Advances in Sustainable Agriculture

There is no doubt that advanced technologies play a very important and crucial role in driving the agricultural sustainable practices in order to satisfy the increasing demand for food production as well as to minimize environmental impacts. This review article aims to provide comprehensive points of view regarding a current state as well as the future advances in smart farming techniques for developing an agricultural sustainability. The digital sensors are considered as key techniques for agricultural transformation which provide an accurate managing and monitoring the various agricultural activities such as crop production, soil moisture, micro climate data, and others. Valuable detailed data are acquired by these sensors to be delivered to the farmers in order to make suitable decisions, ensuring the sustainable and efficient utilization of the agricultural resources. Moreover, managing irrigation using the advanced technologies is benefited wireless monitoring remotely and controlling systems. These technologies and advanced tools help the farmers to reduce water consumption and increase their benefits as well as promotes sustainable management practices of the water resources. Additionally, the drones such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can be attached with several kinds of sensors or cameras for capturing detailed information of crop health, soil status, required fertilizers, irrigation, and pesticides. Besides these benefits of drones, they provide a function of an early detection of agricultural problems which allow the decision makers for taking suitable actions. Furthermore, the biotechnology advances such as CRISPR gene editing, and transgenic animals’ developing are very beneficial for enhancing the crop yield, disease resistance, and nutrients availability, and agricultural sustainability. The precision agriculture (PA) integration with geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) provides site-specific management and its decisions in order to optimize the inputs utilization, waste reduce, and sustainable practices promotion. Also, advanced technologies’ application (i.e. artificial intelligence ‘AI’, machine learning ‘ML’, and the Internet of Things ‘IoT’) has been found to be a promising for achieving an agricultural sustainability. Therefore, by using these powerful technologies, the farmers can enhance an agricultural production, decrease an environmental effect and achieve the food security.

Galactosylation of glycoconjugates using Pacific oyster β-1,3-galactosyltransferases

The Pacific oyster (Magallana gigas) exhibits an extensive diversity of N- and O-linked glycoconjugates, offering significant potential for biotechnological applications. Through genomic data mining, we have identified and characterized a suite of β-1,3-galactosyltransferase enzymes, pivotal for the synthesis of glycan structures. Out of ten cloned gene candidates, six enzymes were successfully expressed recombinantly in Escherichia coli. Four of these enzymes exhibited measurable catalytic activity in the transfer of galactose to various acceptor substrates. Notably, MgB3GalT1 demonstrated the highest efficiency, achieving a 91.2 % conversion rate. This enzyme was proficient in glycosylating diverse glycan structures, including Core 2 O-glycans and several di-, tri-, and tetra-antennary complex N-glycan standards. Mass spectrometric analysis confirmed the successful modification of N-glycans. These findings open new approaches for utilizing oyster-derived enzymes in glycan-based therapeutics and molecular glycoengineering, highlighting their utility in synthetic applications and biotechnological advancements.

Microbial Squalene: A Sustainable Alternative for the Cosmetics and Pharmaceutical Industry - A Review.

Squalene is a natural triterpenoid and a biosynthetic precursor of steroids and hopanoids in microorganisms, plants, humans, and other animals. Squalene has exceptional properties, such as its antioxidant activity, a high penetrability of the skin, and the ability to trigger the immune system, promoting its application in the cosmetic, sustenance, and pharmaceutical industries. Because sharks are the primary source of squalene, there is a need to identify low-cost, environment friendly, and sustainable alternatives for producing squalene commercially. This shift has prompted scientists to apply biotechnological advances to research microorganisms for synthesizing squalene. This review summarizes recent metabolic and bioprocess engineering strategies in various microorganisms for the biotechnological production of this valuable molecule.