Department Of Botany

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Monostroma: the Jeweled Seaweed for Future Cultivation methods, Ecophysiology, Phylogeography and Molecular Systematics
(Lambert Academic Publishing, 2011) Bast, Felix
This thesis aims at providing a comprehensive picture of the reproductive physiology, growth, phylogeography, and phylogenetics of M. latissimum-nitidum complex in Southern Japan. A review on agronomy and utilization of seaweeds is provided as Chapter 2 to present a comprehensive overview of the seaweed biology and applications. Seasonality in the growth and occurrence of Monostroma sp. at three environmentally distinct habitats along Tosa Bay, Kochi Prefecture, Japan is explored and results of correlation analyses between environmental conditions and thallus size are presented in Chapter 3. Also investigated in the same chapter is the homology of nuclear encoded rDNA Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequences between naturally occurring and commercially cultivated populations. Findings of the culture studies sought to identify the species naturally occurring at the study sites are also summarized in Chapter 2. In the course of research, I observed that thalli of the naturally occurring populations of M. latissimum, changes its color during maturation, as reported elsewhere in the literature. Further to that observation, a thorough cytological investigation on the gametangial ontogeny of naturally occurring M. latissimum is presented in Chapter 4 and possible taxonomic implications of this finding are discussed. Once the thalli of M. latissimum release gametes, which mode of syngamy do they have? Is sex of the progenies environmentally determined? These are some of the questions being investigated in Chapter 5. Reported in the Chapter 6 is a serendipitous discovery of an asexually reproducing ecotype of M. latissimum in the marginal populations at low-saline habitat. Findings of the culture studies to complete its life cycle are presented. Molecular studies to investigate homogeneity of nrDNA ITS sequences between the two ecot ypes (i.e., sexual vs asexual) are also investigated in the same chapter. Results of phylogenetic analyses of the newly generated ITS sequence of M. latissimum with that of the related monostromatic green algal taxa retrieved from GenBank are also presented in Chapter 6 to understand relative taxonomical position of this species in the class Ulvophyceae. Chapter 7 is an investigation on the morphologic and genetic homogeneity of natural and cultivated populations of the two closely related species M. latissimum and M. nitidum along the Southern Japanese coast where the warm-water Kuroshio Current influences throughout the year. Combined phylogeographical analysis of nuclear encoded first internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) sequences and rDNA 18s gene are presented in addition to the comparison of morphological traits, to understand if they belong to the same taxa. In the final experimental chapter, Chapter 8, taxonomic hypothesis for Monostromataceae were tested and the systematic position of this family is explored using multi-local phylogeny. Relationships of this family with over 40 Ulvophycean genera were investigated and phylogeny reconstruction was conducted using five independent genetic markers; viz., nrDNA ITS1, nrDNA ITS2, nrDNA 5.8S, nrDNA 18S and cpDNA rbcL. Chapter 9 summarizes and discusses the results of this thesis, places them in a regional context and discusses avenues of future work.
Monostroma: the Jeweled Seaweed for Future
(2011) Bast, Felix
Effect of natrium fluoride on growth and physiology of oryza sativa L.
(Central University of Punjab, 2012) Das, Anamika; Mittal, Sunil
The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of natrium fluoride on growth and physiology of Oryza sativa L. Two varieties of the O. sativa (rice) viz. Basmati 1121 and PR147 were selected for the study. PR147 is a local variety of the region. The effect was studied on growth (root length and shoot length), physiological parameters (chlorophyll content and percent respiration), macromolecules and their hydrolyzing enzymes (carbohydrate and protein content, ?-amylase and protease activity) and antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) under controlled conditions in the laboratory. Studies revealed that NaF (in different concentrations ranging from 16, 32 and 64 mg/l) affected the growth and physiology of both varieties as compared to control. When the seed of both varieties of rice were exposed to 64 mg/l NaF concentration, the seedling growth of test plants was highly affected as compared to control. Basmati 1121 variety was found to be more sensitive than PR147. In chlorophyll content, the percent reduction at 64 mg/l of NaF was 62% in Basmati 1121 and 30% in PR147. Similarly, reduction in percent cellular respiratory ability on exposure to 64 mg/l of NaF was 75% and 22% in Basmati 1121 and PR147 variety respectively. At 64 mg/l the carbohydrate content was increased 2.9 folds in Basmati 1121 and 1.35 folds in PR147. However the protein content was variably affected as it was increased 2 folds in PR147 and decreased to nearly 55% in Basmati 1121. The macromolecular contents were affected as the activity of their hydrolyzing enzymes was also affected. The increase in oxidative stress due to high concentrations of fluoride exposure has lead to an increase in antioxidant enzyme activity of both peroxidase and superoxide dismutase enzymes. The study concludes that high content of fluoride affects the growth and physiology of O. sativa L. by inducing oxidative stress.
MicroRNA target prediction and comparative micromics; Study different cancers- special focus on breast cancer metastasis
(Central University of Punjab, 2012) Sarkar, Bibekananda; Bast, Felix
Cancer or carcinoma is uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. The transition of normal cell to cancerous cell is very complicated process and the cause of transition varies with situation. Metastasis is the main cause of death in cancer. There are genes which not only promote metastasis but also maintain microenvironment of tumor cells, and initiate the process of epithelium' mesenchymal transition (EMT). MicroRNA (micro RNA) is small, highly conserved noncoding RNAs that control gene expression post-transcriptionally. MicroRNA controls various cellular events like division, differentiation and apoptosis. Their deregulation may result in to cancerous growth. Most (50%) of the microRNA genes are located in the fragile chromosomal regions, which are more susceptible to amplification, deletion or translocation during tumor development. It is predicted that 30% of the all mRNA are directly or indirectly controlled by the microRNA. MetastamiR are that microRNA which have role in regulation of metastasis. MicroRNA expression profile in different cancers showed that it can act as Oncogene as well as Tumor suppressor gene. Till date there are 1921 mature human microRNA sequences registered in miRBase. MicroRNA target prediction is the first step in functional analysis of microRNA. Target prediction is complicated due to partial complementarity between microRNA and its target. There are many target prediction programs available, but the efficiency and sensitivity of these programs are not known. To enhance its efficiency, we need to know problems during prediction. Comparative analysis of different microRNA prediction tools provides an insight into the above parameter. In this study comparative analysis of seven prediction tools is carried out with help of validated microRNA targets of metastatic breast cancer.
Chromosomal location of non-hypersensitive leaf rust resistance genes in bread wheat cultivar PBW65 using microsatellite markers
(2012) Khan, M.A.; Kamaluddin, Saini, R.G.
Microsatellite or simple sequence repeat (SSRs) markers have been powerful tool for genetic mapping in wheat. Indian bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar PBW65 has shown significant level of resistance to most virulent race 77-5 of leaf rust (Puccinia triticina). It has been indicated that PBW65 expresses non-hypersensitive type of resistance against race 77-5. F2 and F3 crossing of PBW65 with WL711, a leaf rust susceptible wheat cultivar, and allelic tests with such already known genes (present in cultivars RL 6058 and HD 2009) revealed that cultivar PBW65 could be a potential source of novel nonhypersensitive leaf rust resistance genes. So far, only non-hypersensitive leaf rust resistance gene Lr34 was found to be effective under Indian conditions. Attempts to locate such durable leaf rust resistance genes in PBW65 through microsatellite markers showed 2B, 2D and 3D as critical chromosomes for PBW65. The primer Xgwm341 (3D) was found located 41.5 cM away from gene LrPBW1 in PBW65.
Temperature-stratified screening of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genetic resource collections reveals very limited reproductive chilling tolerance compared to its annual wild relatives
(2012) Berger, J.D.; Kumar, Sanjeev; Nayyar, H.; Street, K. A.; Sandhu, J. S.; Henzell, J. M.; Kaur, J.; Clark, H.C.
Low reproductive chilling tolerance in chickpea impairs ovule fertilization, delaying pod set, exposing the crop to terminal drought throughout much of its distribution range. Despite this realization, little progress has been made because of the limited genetic variation available to breeders. To address this issue a wide range of domesticated (n= 1762) and wild Cicer (n= 200) germplasm collected from sites stratified by flowering phase temperature was extensively field evaluated, and compared with Lupinus angustifolius, a well-adapted Mediterranean winter annual. Chilling tolerance was estimated by regressing the time interval between pod set and first flower against mean post-anthesis temperature. Field screening was augmented by smaller scale experiments evaluating the effects of contrasting post-anthesis temperature regimes on plant growth and productivity, pollen function and subsequent pod set in temperature-controlled cabinets.Chickpea was less chilling tolerant than its wild relatives, the flower-pod interval increasing curvi-linearly as sites became cooler, with a strong effects between 11 and 16. ?C, tailing off after 17.5. ?C, but remaining statistically significant. There is little useful variation for chilling tolerance within domesticated chickpea. Small, albeit statistically significant differences in pod set delay in chickpea collected from contrasting flowering phase habitats, were marginal compared to more tolerant species such as Cicer bijugum, Cicer judaicum and L. angustifolius, and to a lesser extent Cicer reticulatum, Cicer pinnatifidum, and Cicer echinospermum. No differences were observed between desi and kabuli types. Field screening identified robust chilling tolerance in a C. echinospermum accession that commenced podding earlier, at lower temperatures (10.0. ?C), and yielded 5 times more than Rupali, the most productive chickpea. Controlled temperature experiments confirmed that in contrast to chickpea, pollen germination, viability, frequency on the stigma surface and subsequent pod set were unaffected by low post-anthesis temperatures (13/7. ?C) in C. echinospermum and L. angustifolius. Our results indicate that chickpea is even more chilling sensitive than previously thought. Because C. echinospermum is inter-fertile with chickpea, it has considerable potential both as a donor of robust chilling tolerance and as an agent for investigating resistance mechanisms. ? 2011.
Phytogenetic analysis of bacterial diversity of heavy metal affected
(Central University of Punjab, 2012) Kumar, Rajeev; Kumar, Sanjeev
The soil of Bathinda region is affected by heavy metals due to anthropogenic activity, industrial effluent and fly ash. Three soil samples in triplicate were collected from three different places of Bathinda region, abandoned soil, agricultural soil, thermal power plant fly ash soil. Based on 16S rRNA gene cloning and sequence analysis, phylogentic analysis of bacterial diversity was performed. 366 clones were picked and through colony PCR 128 positive clones were chosen. Out of 128 clones, 126 clones were sequenced in three fragments and all three fragments aligned using SeqMan Lasergene ver.10.0 (DNA STAR) software. BLAST analysis of sequenced and aligned samples was carried out at NCBI to find out the homology with different groups of bacteria. All 126 clones aligned for phylogenetic analysis by MEGA 5 (Neighbor Joining method). 32 genus belong to 8 phyla were observed in all three samples. Most dominant phylum is Proteobacteria followed by Bacteriodates. Pseudomonas spp. is dominant in agricultural and thermal power plant soil. Abandoned soil showed maximum diversity followed by thermal power plant soil. In agricultural soil minimum diversity was observed. So with this investigation it can be concluded that lands without anthropogenic activities are rich in bacterial diversity as compared to more anthropogenic active areas.
Cancer phylogenetics: Computational modeling of tumor evolution
(Nova Science Publishers, Inc., 2012) Bast, Felix
The field of phylogenetics is one of the core areas of Bioinformatics which deals with computational methods to infer evolutionary heritage of organisms and genes. While phylogenetics has been extensively utilized in taxonomy and systematics of organisms, it is only very recently that the system started expanding to other fields- most importantly in cancer biology where it profoundly transformed our understanding of clonal evolution. Many of our findings in cancer phylogenetics credit to the fact that the tumor is not merely a collection of transformed cells with random mutation events; rather it is an evolving population. Many of the facets underpinning modern evolutionary synthesis can be applied to classify cancers and track its progression from initiating somatic mutation to symptomatic neoplasm. It is now widely accepted that all sub-clones within cancer are phylogenetically related and probability of a particular sub-clone progressing into neoplasm depending upon its time of initiation and evolutionary fitness. Computational models of tumor evolution have also contributed in identifying common clades- "cancer sub-types"- associated with particular cancers in different patients that in turn helped in translating our understanding of oncogeny to the development of "targeted therapeutics"- rationally designed drugs that are molecularly targeted to particular sub-types. Advent of next generation ultra-deep genome sequencing technologies has been rapidly trans-forming the very landscape of cancer phyogenetics. This chapter introduces the concept of cancer phylogenetics and reviews some of the recent advances in this field. This chapter also summarizes various phylogenetic approaches including distance matrix methods, parsimony, maximum likelihood, Bayesian methods and probabilistic inference that have potential applications in cancer research. ? 2012 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.
Effect of metform on insuln mediated proliferation of lung cancer cell lines
(Central University of Punjab, 2012) Seema; Bast, Felix
Background: The incidence of cancer in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients is a matter of concern. Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and leading cause of death in males. Smoking is the main risk factor contributing to lung cancer progression. The occurrence of cancer is more with the type 2 DM. Besides, hyperglycemia and endogenous insulinaemia exist together for a long duration as a result of insulin resistance. As a consequence of this, the mitogenic activity of insulin is amplified. Moreover, other growth factors, and hormones are activated under the influence of insulin that further enhances this effect. It is also related to obesity, central fat accumulation, physical inactivity and smoking. The nicotine of smoke induces oxidative stress and endothelial malfunction creating metabolic abnormalities in lung cancer. In this perspective, role of insulin sensitizing drug, metformin in inhibiting the growth proliferation of lung cancer cells is hereby explored. Objective: The present study was aimed to evaluate the growth proliferation effect of insulin on non small cell lung carcinoma cell lines. It also proposed to evaluate role of metformin in preventing insulin mediated proliferation in p53 and liver kinase B1 (LKB1) mutant and wild type cell lines. Materials and methods: Two non small cell lung carcinoma cell lines, A549 and H1299 (p53 and LKB1 wild type and mutant) were used to analyze the mitogenic role of insulin by incubating for 24 hours with human recombinant insulin at a range of concentrations from 1nM to 10'M. This was followed by the metformin (concentrations from 1'M to 50mM) treatment for 24 hours along with insulin (500'M for A549 and 1mM for H1299). The proliferations were assessed by MTT dye reduction test and the percentage of the survival of the treated cells was compared with the control. One way ANOVA was used for the data analysis and the proliferation between cell lines were evaluated by student's t-test and two way analysis of variance (Two way ANOV). Results: Both the cell lines exhibited a significant proliferation (p<0.001) with the concentrations of insulin. Insulin stimulated the proliferation approximately by two fold and 1.78 times for A549 cells and H1299 cell line respectively compared to control cells. The growth of two lung carcinoma cell lines were significantly (p<0.001) inhibited by metformin treatment for 24 hours. The maximum reduction in growth was 73% and 67% for A549 and H1299 respectively for a concentration of 50mM of metformin compared to the control. The results followed a dose dependant response pattern for insulin as well as metformin treatment. Concentration at which 50% inhibition of growth observed (IC50) was comparable for both the cell lines. Conclusions: Insulin in high circulating concentrations can augment the growth proliferation of lung cancer cells. Metformin can inhibit this insulin mediated proliferation of lung cancer cells in a multifaceted way. The mechanism of action is independent of p53 and liver kinase B1.
Systematics and Taxonomic Keys for the Marine Green Algal Family Monostromataceae
(Nova Science Publishers, 2012) Bast, Felix
Marine green algal family Monostromataceae consists of single cell-layered green seaweeds distributed throughout the world, yet identification of it being one of the most challenging. Monostromatic green seaweeds are all edible and are commercially cultivated in Japan for centuries. A thorough understanding of its systematics is indeed a necessity for any empirical investigation. Working dichotomous taxonomic key for this family is presented for the first time for the ready benefit of field phycologists. Recent advances in the systematics of this family with a special emphasize on the Japanese varieties are also presented.
Cytotoxic activity of saragassum wightii on pc-3 cancer cell-line
(Central University of Punjab, 2012) Jahid, Mohd.; Bast, Felix
Finding novel antitumor compounds with low side effects could be an interesting proposal. Antioxidant and anticancer potentials of seaweed extracts can possibly be explored for developing the new anticancer drugs. Polyphenols are extensively distributed in seaweeds and these are reported to be free radical scavengers. This study was designed to check the cytotoxic potential of the methanolic and hydromethanolic extracts from the brown algae S. wightii. The total phenolic content in the hydromethanolic extract and the methanolic extract of S. wightii was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The total phenolic content in methanolic extract was found to be greater than hydromethanolic extract. The percentage inhibition or scavenging activity of both the extracts was calculated by using the DPPH assay and was more for the methanolic extract. PC-3 cancer cell-line was used as an experimental model. The methanolic crude extract is significantly cytotoxic against the PC-3 cancer cells. On the other hand the hydromethanolic crude extract was not found to be the significantly cytotoxic against the PC-3 cancer cells.
Histopathological staging in putative prostate cancer tissues and reviewing litearture of correlation between prostate specific antigen levels and prostate cancer inci. 2012.
(Central University of Punjab, 2012) Thakur, Shweta; Thakur, Sanjeev
Prostate cancer (PCa) remains the most significant cause of cancer specific mortality in elderly men. Asymptomatic behavior, non-modifiable risk factors and metastatic nature is the main problem of PCa. It remains clinically silent and presents itself only at advanced stage. Thus, diagnosing PCa at an early stage can result in increased chances of better treatment and hence, increased survival rate. An accurate biomarker can detect the cancer at an early stage and hence, at curable stage. Clinical parameters can only suspect prostate cancer. Whereas, histopathological examination can establish definite diagnosis of PCa. Various histological patterns are associated with cancer aggressiveness. Therefore, better understanding of clinical relevance of these histopathological findings can help to evaluate a robust biomarker for early detection of PCa. Present study was divided into two parts. First part was aimed to study the histopathology of putative prostate cancer tissue specimens. In second part, the literature of association of pre-operative serum prostate specific antigen levels with cancer detection and aggressiveness was reviewed. Protocol for histopathology of prostate tissues was established. Results of histopathological findings in putative PCa specimens were evaluated. Prevalence of histological PCa was not found in putative PCa tissues. Image library of results of the study was prepared for future analysis. Review of literature of correlation of serum PSA levels with PCa incidence suggests that PSA screening for PCa is a two-sided debate. No doubt that PSA holds the probability of detecting early PCa before development of symptoms; certain v limitations are associated with it. First, it is not reported to be 100% accurate. Second, it generates false positive and false negative results. A false positive result leads to over-treatment whereas a false negative result generates false sense of security against PCa in patient, both affects quality of life. Another main concern with PSA screening is its inability to differentiate between indolent and aggressive cancer. Therefore; accurate and economical molecular biomarkers for early detection and distinction of indolent versus aggressive cancer are urgently required. Until such biomarkers are developed and more convincing evidences regarding efficacy of PSA screening becomes available, research should focus on improving the diagnostic clinical utility of PSA by utilizing novel PSA isoforms. Identifying and validating correlation of serum PSA with tissue PSA and histological grade would be beneficial in terms of requirement of less invasive diagnostic methods to be used to measure PSA expression level as well as to confirm PCa. Future research may focus on evaluating the histological expression of other putative biomarkers and comparative serum proteomic profiling in different PCa stages.
To study the effect of insulin on advanced androgen-indpendent prostate cancer (pc-3) cells
(Central University of Punjab, 2012) Kumar, Abhimanyu; Kumar, Sanjeev
Prostate cancer is one of the major causes of mortality in males over the age of fifty all over the world. Many factors including genetics and diet have been associated with the development of prostate cancer. Hyperinsulinemia has been found to be associated with higher risk of Prostate cancer. Diabetes type-2 is accompanied with hyperinsulinemic state. Both cancer and diabetes are metabolic disorders and often diabetes is correlated with cancer. This study reveals that insulin acts as a mitogen hence increases proliferation in PC-3 cells. Reactive oxygen species are by product of cellular metabolism. Insulin treatment increases cellular metabolism due to which ROS level also increases at higher insulin doses. ROS is necessary for many cells signalling process, abnormal increase in ROS level can cause mutational DNA damage and affects protein folding. Antioxidants and free radical balance is critical for normal cellular functioning. Superoxide dismutase is an important antioxidant enzyme, which keeps ROS level low by dismutation of superoxide anion into hydrogen peroxide. This is further metabolised by catalase. In our study we have found that at lower insulin doses SOD level increases but at higher insulin doses SOD expression decreases significantly. This may be the possible reason of ROS increase. Matrix metalloproteinase's expression is modulated by insulin, which can lead to increase in malignancy. All factors stated above indicate that hyperinsulinemia can lead to tumor progression.
To Study the Dose and Time Dependent Effect of Human Insulin and Metformin on the Growth of Breast Cancer Cells
(Central University of Punjab, 2012) Cholia, Ravi Prakash; Thakur, Sanjeev
Cancer and diabetes, both are leading causes of mortality globally. Both the diseases are multifactorial and share number of common risk factors. Hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia which are the characteristic features of diabetes influences the growth rate and proliferation of tumor cells directly or indirectly. Type 2 diabetes shows stronger association with various cancers. Breast cancer is one of the malignancy affecting females worldwide. This study demonstrates that glucose not only acts as energy source in tumor cell but also acts as mitogen. Insulin not only regulates the blood glucose level but also induces growth and proliferation in MCF 7 and MDA MB 231 breast cancer cell lines independently and in combination with glucose. Metformin inhibit proliferation of MCF 7 and MDA MB 231 breast cancer cell lines independently and also in presence of glucose and insulin, but shows more inhibitory effect in presence of insulin as compare to glucose. Recently discovered insulin receptor antagonist S961 did not showed any significant response in breast cancer cell lines MCF 7 and MDA MB 231. The ineffectiveness is probably due to blocking effect of higher insulin dose. So with this investigation it can be concluded that metabolic alteration leads to proliferation of breast cancer cell lines.
Synthesis of imine-pyrazolopyrimidinones and their mechanistic interventions on anticancer activity
(2013) Baviskar, Ashish T.; Banerjee, Uttam C.; Gupta, Mukesh; Singh, Rajveer; Kumar, Sunil; Gupta, Manish K.; Kumar, Sanjeev; Rout, Satish K.; Khullar, Madhu; Singh, Sandeep; Kumar, Raj
Design, synthesis and anticancer activity of a series of imine-pyrazolopyrimidinones is reported for the first time. Compounds 9d, 9n and 9o in the series show encouraging in vitro anticancer activity with low micromolar IC50 values against prostate (PC3) and breast (MCF7) cancer cell lines. Some notions about structure-activity relationships and plausible mechanism of biological activity are presented. ? 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Population analysis of media azesarach L. by RAPD markers in the region of rajasthan
(Central University of Punjab, 2013) Ahmad, Kamal; Bhardwaj, Pankaj
Melia azedarach L is ecologically imperative species growing in Thar Desert. Biological effects such as antiviral, anthelminthic, antibacterial, etc. makes it important, yet a little is known about its genetic diversity and structure. In this study, we employed 30 RAPD primers for DNA profiling of 91 individuals representing 8 geographically isolated populations. A total of 98 bands were scored with an average of 3.2 bands per primer. The PIC ranged from 0.0681 to 0.5351 with an average of 0.4103. Nei's genetic diversity (h) and Shannon's information index (I) ranged from 0.1237 to 0.2375 and 0.1845 to 0.3500 respectively with average Nei'sgenetic diversity of 0.2570. The gene flow (Nm) 0.9295 and the genetic diversity of 0.3498 at species level demonstrated overall high level of genetic diversity. Cladistics analysis using DARwin and Bayesian cluster analysis using STRUCTURE placed 44 individuals into two main clusters or original genetic stocks (K = 2) which show little or no association with the geographic origin. The lack of clear assignment of individuals to geographical regions of sampling and consideration of different populations in the same genetic cluster suggests a recent common evolutionary history. M. azedarach is a good reforestation tree because of its fast growth and drought hardy nature. This study adds a foundation for more precise inference about the biogeography and management in the reforestation projects in the Thar Desert.
Development and charaterization of UGMS markers for genetic diversity analysis in Rhododendron arboreum
(Central University of Punjab, 2013) Sharma, Gagan; Bhardwaj, Pankaj
Rhododendron arboreum is an ecologically important species growing in Himalayan regions. It is widely popular due to its medicinal potential, edible, sacred & economic value, however very little is known about its genetic diversity. The development and characterization of UGMS markers will provide a major impact on genetic diversity analysis. Total 792 (615 singletons and 177 contigs) unigenes were predicted from 1,241 publicly available EST database from NCBI (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) site in R.catawbiense by clustering of 2 - 33 random EST sequences. From 50 SSR contained Unigenes, 36 UGMS primers were designed for the cross amplification approach and six pairs of microsatellite primers were produced clear PCR amplification. The cross related species/genera transferability rate was 16.66% from R.catawbiense to R.arboreum. The polymorphism information content (PIC) ranged from 0.2756 to 0.9212 with an average of 0.5765.The average observed heterozygosity (Ho) was 0.8666 i.e. greater than average expected heterozygosity (He) was 0.6792. The genetic diversity was found with an average of 0.6222 within population of R.arboreum and genetic diversity found with an average of 0.3436 among the population.This study revealed the insight of abundance & distribution of microsatellite in the expressed region of the Rhododendron arboreum genome.
Agronomy and cultivation methods for edible seaweeds
(Research India Publications, 2013) Bast, Felix
Seaweeds, by all means, are “future plants”; they have been projected as the future viand for ever-increasing human populations, viable and sustainable source for biofuel without disturbing global food scenario, as potential candidates for carbon capture and sequestration that is considered as a practical remedy for global warming, and they have a number of pharmaceutical, industrial and biotechnological applications. However, information on its cultivation methods or life history remain obscure to a majority of marine botanists, especially in India. While life histories of seaweeds have traditionally been an exotic topic for specialists- language of which is ciphered with scientific jargons incomprehensible to general scientific audience, its agronomy had been a trade secret for coastal communities in East Asian countries, especially Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia. In this mini-review, an overview of major coastal and offshore seaweed mariculture techniques are presented with the aid of clear-to-understand illustrations.
DNA Barcoding and phylogography of brown seaweeds of coasts of indian subcontinent
(Central University of Punjab, 2013) Bhushan, Satej; Bast, Felix
Algae are one of the diverse groups of ubiquitous autotrophs. Their use as food was more or less initially confined to few East Asian and South American countries like China, Japan, Korea, Chile, Argentina and Brazil, but with the increased demand and limited supply for food combined with the medicinal properties of the marine macroalgae, they started getting the attention of policy makers and researchers alike all around the world. Brown seaweeds (Phaeophyceae) are mostly marine and characterized by presence of pigment fucoxanthin which gives them its coloured appearance. The present work aims to provide detailed molecular analysis of the brown seaweeds found in Indian coastal regions to study and characterize it taxonomically which has not been done till now in Indian context. Out of all the samples processed, one invasive species was detected, Sargassum zhangii, which is the first report of this algal species outside Chinese waters. The conspecificity was confirmed by a multi-faceted approach, including comparative morphology, microscopy, genetic distance analysis and computational phylogenetics using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference methods.
Sequence-based Phylogeography of Seaweeds: How Current Distribution is Shaped by Accumulation of Past?
(Graduate School of Kuroshio Science, Kochi University, 2013) Bast, Felix
State-of-the-art techniques of phylogeography are now routinely used to assess changes at DNA level accumulated over time, and thereby to study forces that might have influenced distribution patterns of organisms. Presented in this mini-review is the works on phylogeography of edible green seaweed Monostroma in Japan and how the current distribution pattern of this algae might have been influenced with the history of medieval Japan. Also presented herein is the striking revelations in ancient Japanese waka – a form of short poetry – that documents historical distribution patterns of this algae, and how these are congruent with findings in phylogeography reconstruction.