Humna Hasan

New developments and clinical transition of hyaluronic acid-based nanotherapeutics for treatment of cancer: reversing multidrug resistance, tumour-specific targetability and improved anticancer efficacy

Abstract This review aims to overview and critically analyses recent developments in achieving tumour-specific delivery of anticancer agents, maximizing anticancer efficacy, and mitigating tumour progression and off-target effects. Stemming from critical needs to develop target-specific delivery vehicles in cancer therapy, various hyaluronic acid (HA)-conjugated nanomedicines have been fabricated owing to their biocompatibility, safety, tumour-specific targetability of drugs and genes, and proficient interaction with cluster-determinant-44 (CD44) receptors over-expressed on the surface of tumour cells. HA-based conjugation or surface modulation of anticancer drugs encapsulated nanocarriers have shown promising efficacy against the various types of carcinomas of liver, breast, colorectal, pancreatic, lung, skin, ovarian, cervical, head and neck and gastric. The success of this emerging platform is assessed in achieving the rapid internalization of anticancer payloads into the tumour cells, impeding cancer cells division and proliferation, induction of cancer-specific apoptosis and prevention of metastasis (tumour progression). This review extends detailed insight into the engineering of HA-based nanomedicines, characterization, utilization for the diagnosis or treatment of CD44 over-expressing cancer subtypes and emphasizing the transition of nanomedicines to clinical cancer therapy.

Soil Microflora – An Extensive Research

Soil is the most complicated biomaterial present on earth. It is composed of a variety of substances and provides a habitat to various organisms. Different chemical reactions take place in soil that ensures the sustainability of life. Microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, actinomyces and algae are widely distributed in soil. These natural micro flora have several advantages. They contribute to the growth and development of plants, decomposition of organic materials, nutrient cycling, soil nitrification, sustenance of pedological system and production of bioactive compounds. Soil fungi develop mutualistic associations with plants and increase their surface area for absorption. Rhizosphere of soil, the area in which micro flora is present, is rich not only in diverse micro flora but also plant roots and nutrients. Soil pollution and anthropogenic activities used for higher yield of agricultural crops negatively affect the soil micro flora. Pesticides kill micro flora and reduce soil biodiversity. The focus of this chapter is on the advantages of natural flora of soil and various factors causing their degradation. The chapter also sheds light on the changes in micro floral communities due to changes in environment. Towards the end, the future perspectives in which soil micro flora can be used for further benefit of mankind have also been discussed.

Advances in Genetic Engineering of Ajuga Species

Ajuga genus is among one of the more than 250 genera of Labiatae, cosmopolitan in distribution, and comprises of more than 70 species with the remarkable therapeutic importance. Many species of Ajuga including A. bracteosa, A. reptans, A. Chamaepitys, etc. have been used in the traditional system of medicine and are also in use for making formulations in modern medicines. Ajuga species offer anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetic, anabolic, antileishmanial, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, antimalarial, astringent, anthelmintic, and diuretic properties and are used in the treatment of rheumatism, palsy, and gout. They hold a large number of secondary metabolites which are active principles to combat the foresaid diseases including phytoecdysteroids, withanolides, iridoid glycosides, neo-clerodane di- and triterpenoids, sterols, and a large range of flavonoid and phenolic compounds. Some of the species of Ajuga are genetically modified for some of these compounds including A. bracteosa, A. reptans, A. multiflora, etc. Latest development made in the exploration of these compounds is yet dealing with the transformation of rol genes and some stress and feeding experiments. We precisely discuss here the details of biotechnological progress that has been made in Ajuga species so far.

Robotics and High-Throughput Techniques

Abstract Robots are playing a vital role as a connection between the spheres of biology and physics. This new field covers the multifarious disciplines under one heading “Biorobotics,” thus providing biologists with tools to evaluate biological algorithms for engineering applications. Biorobots have enabled scientists to understand intricate relationship between animals and environment. From understanding brain functions to providing answers to the intriguing questions of evolution, biorobotics have helped biologists to widen their knowledge of the sphere. Biorobotics is considered to be a promising new field inspiring biologists for novel researches. High-throughput technology provides a feasible option for the automation of experiments in the field of Robotics. High throughput has also enabled biologists to meet the great challenge of scientific research, e.g., understand the causes and consequences of disease and the underlying basic mechanisms. It has also invited researchers from interdisciplinary sciences for the purpose of inducing bio-inspired capabilities in the robotics.

Omics Approaches in Marine Biotechnology: The Treasure of Ocean for Human Betterments

Abstract Marine biotechnology or “blue biotechnology,” as it is so aptly termed, is an arena of scientific research bursting with potential due to the possible contributions that can be made towards achieving an environmentally friendly and efficient society. Although this field of science is still quite young, it has helped scientists to achieve many significant milestones on the environmental as well as socio-economic fronts, which could not be attained through terrestrial resources alone. The advent of “omics” has revolutionized biotechnological research by bringing together a plethora of information from various cellular processes and applying it to examine a range of biological events at the basic molecular level. Marine biotechnology makes use of assorted “omics” such as genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, nutrigenomics, and metabolomics. When combined, these have a profound effect on marine as well as human well-being.

Biotechnology and Bioengineering in Astrobiology: Towards a New Habitat for Us

Abstract Human kind is optimistic about the presence of alien civilizations in the outer space. The scientists are still working on the means to detect and make the first contact with the extraterrestrials. The current focus is on the search of nonintelligent microbial life forms. Moreover, efforts are underway to identify the optimum conditions to support life on other planets. Before the dawn of the space age, the moon was considered to be just a barren land formed by the ancient impact craters. Similarly Mars was just a distant planet and Venus was boiling cauldron of molten rock shrouded in dense and poisonous atmosphere. Significant progress has, however, been made after the recent discoveries in the field of astrobiology, astrobiotechnology, and synthetic space biology. This chapter presents the conditions that support life in the outer space. Techniques employed for the identification and detection of organic molecules, fossilized microorganisms, and minerals have also been discussed. Moreover, the potential of life outside earth with reference to the extremophile organisms has been addressed. Finally, the future role of astrobiology in finding new home for the living organisms has been discussed.

Omics Approaches in Forensic Biotechnology: Looking for Ancestry to Offence

Abstract Forensic biotechnology deals with the study and investigation of genomic information for the identification of specific signatures. The data obtained from forensic biotechnology are utilized by the legal system to make necessary interpretations about criminals. Because of its potential to identify unique genetic markers, the discipline has also been employed for the determination of parenthood or other familial characteristics. Traditionally this field relied on a few basic techniques of genetics like DNA fingerprinting. However, the recent developments in the field of genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics have made the forensic sciences increasingly sensitive and reliable. The availability of the minutest amount of sample (like blood, hair, or other body tissues) can help in extracting the information in a timely manner that would otherwise have taken months to years to obtain. This chapter provides an introduction about the basic techniques involved in forensic technology. The developments in the field of omics sciences and how they have contributed to the field of forensic biotechnology have also been discussed.

Running head: Chalcones as immunomodulatory agents Exploring promising immunomodulatory potential of natural and synthetic 1,3-diphenyl-2-propen-1-one analogs: A review of mechanistic insight

The immune system is an intricate and coordinated nexus serving as a natural defense to preclude internal and external pathogenic insults. The deregulation in the natural balance of immunological functions as a consequence of either over expression or under expression of immune cells tends to cause disruption of homeostasis in the body and may lead to development of numerous immune system disorders. Chalcone moieties (1,3-diphenyl-2-propen-1-one) have been well-documented as ideal lead compounds or precursors to design a wide range of pharmacologically active agents to down-regulate various immune disorders. Owing to their unique structural and molecular framework, these α, β-unsaturated carbonyl-based moieties have also gained remarkable recognition due to their other multifarious pharmacological properties including antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-malarial, antibacterial, anti-tuberculosis, and anticancer potential. Though a great number of methodologies are currently being employed for their synthesis, this review mainly focuses on the natural and synthetic chalcone derivatives that are exclusively synthesized via Claisen-Schmidt condensation reaction and their immunomodulatory prospects. We have critically reviewed the literature and provided convincing evidence for the promising efficacy of chalcone derivatives to modulate functioning of various innate and adaptive immune players including granulocytes, mast cells, monocytes, macrophages, platelets, dendritic cells, natural killer cells, and T-lymphocytes.