Ruchika Goyal

Transgenic tomato plants resistant to fruit borer (Helicoverpa armigera Hubner)

Abstract A synthetic cry 1 Ac gene coding for an insecticidal crystal protein (ICP) of Bacillus thuringiensis ( Bt ) was transferred to tomato by cocultivating cotyledonary explants with Agrobacterium tumefaciens . Transformant plants resistant to kanamycin were regenerated. Hybridization experiments demonstrated gene integration and gene copy number in the transgenic plants. Double-antibody sandwich ELISA analysis revealed high levels of Bt ICP expression in the leaves of transgenic plants. The expression resulted in a high level of protection of transgenic plant leaves and fruits against the larvae of tomato fruit borer ( Helicoverpa armigera ). Limited field trial of the transgenic plants (T 1 generation) confirmed the high levels of insect protection.

Study of binding of pyridoacridine alkaloids on topoisomerase II using in silico tools

In this research, the pyridoacridines alkaloids have been docked computationally to the active site of Topoisomerase II using four PDB structures (1PVG, 1QZR, 1AJ6 and 1ZXM). iGEMDOCK 2.1, AutoDock Vina 1.1.2 and AutoDock 4.2.1 were employed to perform the automated molecular docking. The results of docking studies generated docking scores and IC50 values. Moreover, 3D pictures of ligand enzyme complexes afforded valuable data regarding the binding orientation of each inhibitor in the active site of Topoisomerase II.

Estrogenic and Anti-Alzheimer’s studies of Zingiber officinalis as well as Amomum subulatum Roxb.: the success story of dry techniques

The extracts of ginger and cardamom were chosen for studies on estrogen receptors and Alzheimer’s disease on the basis of various in silico studies of their constituents. Estrogenic effect was evaluated by uterine weight method while effect on learning and memory was studied using elevated plus maze method. Cardamom extract showed better estrogenic effect as compared to ginger. Reverse trend was observed in case of anti-alzheimer’s activity. Both extracts exhibited considerable improvement in learning and memory.